Program | Annual Convention | American Bankers Association

Put your bank on the fast track to bank growth.

Annual Convention has the optimal blend of policy conversations, industry hot topics and business solutions. It’s designed to give you the big-picture, actionable insights that you and your team need to solve real-time challenges and embrace disruption. This is where you’ll learn to stay ahead of industry expectations and trends to keep your leadership and bank’s mission secure.

Leave Annual Convention feeling prepared to:

Respond to regulatory shifts
Navigate digital transformation
Fight fraud
Expand your product portfolio

Drive growth and profitability
Embrace AI – the right way
Develop a powerful workforce
Master M&A and internal expansion

…and so much more.

2025 Schedule

All times in ET

Sun, Oct. 19
Mon, Oct. 20
Tues, Oct. 21

Sun, Oct. 19

7:00 AM – 7:00 PM

REGISTRATION OPEN

2:00 PM – 5:00 PM

INNOVATION FORUM

The Innovation Forum brings the cutting-edge solutions your bank needs to compete effectively in an evolving industry. This year, discover the right way to embrace AI with sessions focused on efficiency, automation, profit optimization and more. View Forum sessions here .

6:00 PM – 7:30 PM

OPENING RECEPTION
An evening of NASCAR history and fun

Join your industry peers and colleagues for an exclusive night of networking and fun at the NASCAR Hall of Fame — a shrine to the history and heritage of one of America’s favorite sports. You won’t want to miss this dynamic and immersive experience that blends the excitement of racing with first-class hospitality.

Enjoy more than 50 interactive exhibits and legendary race cars
Get behind the wheel of an iRacing simulator on your favorite track
See if you have what it takes to make the team in our Pit Crew Challenge

Take part in events that set the stage for the future of the industry and hear intimate, never-before-told stories of the past.

Mon, Oct. 20

7:00 AM – 5:00 PM	REGISTRATION OPEN
7:15 AM – 8:00 AM	POWER BREAKFASTS Join us for breakfast and connect with colleagues from across the country. Learn about innovative new products and services that can take your bank to the next level. Breakfast will be served from 7:15 AM to 7:45 AM outside of the morning sessions.
8:00 AM – 9:30 AM	OPENING GENERAL SESSION
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM	BREAK IN THE HUB The Hub is your ultimate destination to mix and mingle with peers and industry providers, see what’s new in banking and have a little bit of fun!
10:30 AM – 11:15 AM	KNOWLEDGE SESSIONS These sessions allow you to focus on the issues that matter most to you and network with senior banking leaders who feel the same. Choose from sessions in innovation, profitability, leadership and talent management, and customer experience.
10:30 AM – 11:15 AM	EMERGING LEADERS PROGRAM: PART 1 ELIMINATE CONFLICT WASTE™: HOW TO HAVE CONFLICT AND STILL WIN TOGETHER The Emerging Leaders program provides the professional development opportunities emerging leaders need to further their career and meet the demands of leadership to serve any bank’s mission at a higher level. View the full Emerging Leaders program here.
11:30 AM – 12:15 PM	KNOWLEDGE SESSIONS These sessions allow you to focus on the issues that matter most to you and network with senior banking leaders who feel the same. Choose from sessions in innovation, profitability, leadership and talent management, and customer experience.
11:30 AM – 12:15 PM	EMERGING LEADERS PROGRAM: PART 2 NEXT IN LINE: READY OR NOT, HERE WE LEAD The Emerging Leaders program provides the professional development opportunities emerging leaders need to further their career and meet the demands of leadership to serve any bank’s mission at a higher level. View the full Emerging Leaders program here.
12:15 PM – 1:15 PM	POWER LUNCHES Join us for lunch and connect with colleagues from across the country. Learn about innovative new products and services that can take your bank to the next level.
12:15 PM – 1:15 PM	GUEST PROGRAM This year, we’re thrilled to offer a guest program full of off-site fun! We’ve curated a quintessential Charlotte dining experience and lined up access to a world-class keynote speaker who will inspire you to transform your life — and live with no regrets. Guests or spouses who are not in financial services or banking-related fields are eligible for this special program and rate. View the full Guest program here.
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM	GENERAL SESSION Perspectives on growth and M&A ABA President and CEO Rob Nichols sits down with First Citizens Bank Chairman and CEO Frank Holding to discuss lessons learned from the bank’s M&A experience. He’ll share his perspective on First Citizens’ approach, including the challenges and opportunities posed by bank M&A. Frank Holding, chairman and CEO, First Citizens BancShares Inc. and First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM	BREAK IN THE HUB The Hub is your ultimate destination to mix and mingle with peers and industry providers, see what’s new in banking and have a little bit of fun!
3:30 PM – 5:00 PM	GENERAL SESSION Navigating risk in uncertain times: strategic insights for the C-suite Risk management is crucial to strategic decision-making in an era marked by economic volatility, evolving regulatory landscapes, shifting consumer behaviors, and escalating cyber and fraud threats. This session will highlight how innovative chief risk officers navigate enterprise-wide risk and influence growth strategies amid uncertainty through a candid and forward-looking discussion. The business of NASCAR and banking Kelley Earnhardt Miller, one of the most prominent businesswomen in NASCAR, is the CEO of JR Motorsports, all Dale Jr. Companies and the visionary behind multiple brand initiatives that continue to propel the sport of auto racing. She is also the chairman and incorporating director of Blue Harbor Bank. Kelley will join ABA President and CEO Rob Nichols to discuss the business of one of America’s favorite sports and leadership lessons from her experience growing up in NASCAR’s most famous family. Kelley Earnhardt Miller, co-owner and CEO, JR Motorsports
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM	EVENING RECEPTION IN THE HUB Find new solutions and unwind after a fast-paced day. Indulge in specialty drinks and bites inspired by Charlotte’s Southern charm and continue making the important connections that count. Grab a personalized luggage tag, decorate an NFL mini helmet and watch the Paintman perform!

Tues, Oct. 21

7:00 AM – 1:30 PM	REGISTRATION OPEN
7:15 AM – 8:00 AM	POWER BREAKFASTS Join us for breakfast and connect with colleagues from across the country. Learn about innovative new products and services that can take your bank to the next level. Breakfast will be served from 7:15 AM to 7:45 AM outside of the morning sessions.
8:00 AM – 9:30 AM	GENERAL SESSION
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM	BREAK IN THE HUB The Hub is your ultimate destination to mix and mingle with peers and industry providers, see what’s new in banking and have a little bit of fun!
10:30 AM – 11:15 AM	KNOWLEDGE SESSIONS These sessions allow you to focus on the issues that matter most to you and network with senior banking leaders who feel the same. Choose from sessions in innovation, profitability, leadership and talent management, and customer experience.
10:30 AM – 11:15 AM	SPEED MENTORING: FAST-PACED INSIGHTS FOR EMERGING LEADERS Space is limited, and advanced registration is required. Learn more and view the full Emerging Leaders program here.
11:30 AM – 12:15 AM	KNOWLEDGE SESSIONS These sessions allow you to focus on the issues that matter most to you and network with senior banking leaders who feel the same. Choose from sessions in innovation, profitability, leadership and talent management, and customer experience.
12:15 PM – 1:15 PM	INDUSTY HOT TOPICS NETWORKING LUNCH Join us for a lunch discussion where industry experts will explore hot topics. Enjoy great food, gain valuable insights into emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the banking landscape, and connect with peers for thought-provoking discussions.
1:30 PM – 3:00 PM	GENERAL SESSION Finding joyful purpose: lessons from a Medal of Honor recipient While serving as a Marine rifleman in Afghanistan at age 20, Lance Corporal Carpenter displayed the most courageous act possible, sacrificing himself to save a fellow Marine. During this grueling recovery process, Kyle’s spirit remained strong. He set several post-recovery goals for himself, accomplishing every one of them since his recovery, and more. Kyle will join ABA’s Rob Nichols in discussion about his powerful journey in war and recovery, sharing insights into leadership, adversity and finding a joyful purpose in life. Kyle Carpenter, author and Medal of Honor recipient
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM	CLOSING RECEPTION See you in Salt Lake City! Join us to say a fond farewell to Charlotte and celebrate the location of our 2026 event...Salt Lake City!

Meet your peers in Charlotte

We can’t wait to see you at Annual Convention. Use our Justification Letter template to get the buy-in you need to attend.

JUSTIFICATION KIT I’M READY TO REGISTER!

Everyone else will be there. Don’t be left behind.

ABA Annual Convention allows bank leaders to meet with their peer network and find strategies that shape their next moves toward growth and success.

WHO ATTENDS ANNUAL CONVENTION?

Other Information

Read ABA Conference and School Policies to help answer additional questions.

Speakers and sessions subject to change. Please bookmark this page to check for continuing updates. Read ABA Conference and School Policies to help answer additional questions.

Program | Annual Convention