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2025 Program

All times in MT.

  • Monday, Feb. 17

  • Tuesday, Feb. 18

Sunday, Feb. 16

7:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Golf Outing

7:30 AM – 6:30 PM

Registration

1:00 PM – 1:50 PM

Board Connection Networking Lunch (Invitation Only)

Tap into Cybersecurity, Technology and Beyond

New issues, including technology and cybersecurity, affect the boardroom as much as they do management. In this session, we’ll explore how boards and management are proactively addressing these issues together, allocating these additional responsibilities and how boards work with management on the opportunities and risks.  

  • Kristine Paskvan, Director, First Women’s Bank  
  • Marcel Bucsescu, Vice President, Strategic Engagement, NACD 

2:00 PM – 2:50 PM

General Session

Navigate Uncertainty to Shape the Future

Through a teachable four-step framework, learn how great companies anticipate tomorrow’s reality, today. Discover how bold and calculated decision-making leads to increased levels of trust and success and find ways to remove fear and restore optimism within your team. 

  • Adam Braun, Award-Winning Entrepreneur and NYT Bestselling Author 

3:00 PM – 3:50 PM

Educational Sessions

Topic: Board Governance
Build a High-Performance Board

An intentional and healthy board culture is a unifying force that builds trust and encourages candor. Boards must proactively adapt their own culture and use it intentionally to drive great performance. Building on the 2023 NACD Blue Ribbon Commission report, learn key recommendations on assessing, diagnosing and refining culture, and evaluating behavioral norms and responsibilities. 

Topic: Operations
Mitigate Ransomware Attacks

As ransomware attacks continue to grow and take new forms, the C-suite is more deeply involved in incident response. As a leader, you need to make strategic decisions that can affect the future of your bank, including ensuring your staff understands and are prepared for this situation. This session will cover ransomware attack scenarios, and the decisions bank leadership must make as part of the incident response plan.  

Topic: Technology
Building a Digital Bank: How and Why

To reach customers in underserved communities, Fidelity Bank created ANDI, a digital bank that provides debit accounts, savings accounts, credit cards, personal unsecured loans and financial wellness tools. Learn why community banks can and should create digital brands to expand and grow, Fidelity Bank’s success and lessons learned along the way. 

  • Chris Ferris, President and CEO, Fidelity Bank
  • Paul Walker, Senior Vice President, Revenue and Partnerships, Q2 

4:00 PM – 4:50 PM

Educational Sessions

Topic: Board Governance
Focus on Corporate Governance, Board Succession and Liability

Every board needs a refresh on best practices. In this session, review board charters and structure, risk management with a regulatory focus and succession planning. Focus on the importance of board governance and diversity, and how regulatory scrutiny affects board composition and decision-making. Learn to mitigate director liability by focusing on practical strategies to enhance board effectiveness and compliance. 

  • Samantha Kirby, Partner, Goodwin

Topic: Profitability and Finance
Get Segment-Specific Business Strategies: Smarter Ways to Grow

It’s the wide range of consumer and business segments that have always put the “community” in community banking. Now, community banks have to focus in on the details – delivering the guidance, tools and technologies in demand by a targeted set of customers. By building segment-specific strategies, management can better put resources to work to create sustainable, competitive advantages. Learn how to zero-in on the right segments to see higher rates of growth and profitability. 

  • Mary Beth Sullivan, Managing Partner, Capital Performance Group

Topic: Human Capital
Build a People-First Work Culture

The talent market is cutthroat, and a people-first organization is a competitive organization. Delve into industry best practices tailored specifically for banks aiming to have that competitive, agile edge. Discover actionable strategies and proven methodologies that maintain a people-first culture, and navigate the challenges of scaling this structure in today’s dynamic market – all while maintaining productivity and employee satisfaction.

  • Katie Barnes, Chief Human Resources Officer, BHG Financial

5:00 PM – 5:30 PM

First-Time Attendee Meet and Greet

This event provides first time attendees with the opportunity to connect with each other and network with ABA staff and the CBC Committee. First-timers will receive tips on how to make the most of the conference and make new connections in the community banking network.

5:30 PM – 6:15 PM

The Hub Reception: Mix and Mingle

6:30 PM – 7:45 PM

Opening Reception

Monday, Feb. 17

7:00 AM – 8:00 AM

Breakfast with Experts

8:00 AM – 10:15 AM

General Session

Make Culture Your Competitive Advantage

Today’s standout organizations know that culture – your employer brand and your company brand – can be the differentiator in the competition for top talent. Hear from the architect of LinkedIn’s dynamic culture and learn how they’ve gained competitive industry advantages. 

  • Steve Cadigan, Talent Strategist and Culture Expert, Cadigan Talent Ventures, LinkedIn’s First Chief HR Officer

10:15 AM – 11:15 AM

Coffee Break in The Hub

10:30 AM – 11:45 AM

Guest Breakfast

11:15 AM – 12:15 PM

Education and Peer Exchange Sessions

12:15 PM – 1:15 PM

Power Lunches (RSVP Required)

1:15 PM – 2:00 PM

Dessert in The Hub

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Educational and Peer Exchange Sessions

Topic: Board Governance 
Leave Nothing Unspoken: Risk Appetite  

The worst risks are reactive rather than proactive and can lead to de-risking for fear of breaching unspoken guardrails. Learn about a clear risk appetite statement that gives management permission to operate within parameters – empowering boards and bank leadership to make decisions to balance risk versus avoid it. 

  • Jeff Marsico, President, Kafafian Group  

Topic: Operations
Practice Proactive Resiliency

Maintaining operational continuity during natural disasters, severe weather, cyber incidents and IT disruptions is crucial to preserve the integrity of the nation’s payment system and to reinforce customer trust in the banking system. Having robust business resumption and contingency plans enable both the board and management to navigate emergencies effectively. Learn about proactive resilience planning that includes robust crisis management plans. 

  • Tracy Hall, Senior Manager, Business Continuity, Crowe 

Topic: Profitability and Finance
Avoid the Common Pitfalls of Bank M&A 

In this session, our panel of experts will delve into the dynamic regulatory landscape shaping mergers and acquisitions in the banking sector. From compliance requirements to risk management frameworks, we'll explore the key considerations and emerging trends that are influencing the future of bank M&A transactions. Gain valuable insights into regulatory challenges, opportunities, and best practices to successfully navigate this complex terrain.  

Topic: Technology 
Unleash Artificial Intelligence: A New Era in Banking

Ignore AI and fall behind. Banks that weave AI into their offerings will perform better than those that don’t. If that trend continues, banks will grow customer trust and lifetime customer value. AI has the potential to unleash dramatic cost savings, improve lead generation, risk management and new product development. In this session, learn about the future of core banking vendors, open banking and more AI strategies.

3:15 PM – 4:15 PM

Educational and CEO Peer Exchange Sessions

Topic: Board Governance 
Address Current Banking Challenges: The Board’s Role 

Effective leaders need to challenge conventional ways of thinking and empower their teams to identify their role in achieving business objectives. It is crucial for leadership to be agile and diverse to navigate the financial services industry. Get an overview of emerging industry challenges and how diverse boards can address them effectively. 

Topic: Human Capital 
Up-Skill Employees in the Age of Digital Transformation

While most banks have significantly invested in digital transformation for the benefit of customers, they are still struggling with how to best up-skill and re-skill their employees.  This panel will share how banks can implement digital solutions to increase the effectiveness of their employees, increase employee engagement and retention and drive performance.  

Topic: Profitability and Finance
Reimagine ALCO 

Now, more than ever, asset/liability management committees (ALCOs) are tasked with the difficult role of preparing for the next rate cycle. In this session, learn how to navigate uncertainty while focusing on key considerations for deposits, lending, investments, wholesale and hedging initiatives. Get steps to develop a strategically focused ALCO meeting, learn to listen to your balance sheet and more.

4:30 PM – 5:15 PM

Innovation Showcase

5:15 PM – 6:15 PM

Reception in The Hub

Tuesday, Feb. 18

7:00 AM – 8:00 AM

Power Breakfasts

8:00 AM – 10:15 AM

General Session

CoreConnection

Your bank's strength and agility can come from its core relationship. At CoreConnection, hear from the Core Platforms Committee about strong technology strategies, tips, and techniques to help your bank thrive.

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Coffee Break in The Hub

10:30 AM – 3:30 PM

Guest Tour

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Educational and Peer Exchange Sessions

Topic: Profitability and Finance
Get Insights on Tax Reform

The expiration of the major portions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act could be the catalyst for a major tax reform event in 2025. Join this session to hear about the potential implications for community banks and your customers.    

Topic: Technology
Plan for Trustworthy and Secure GenAI Use

Along with the promises of Generative AI, there are concerns about the potential risks to organizations. If you plan to scale up your AI strategy and usage, learn how to manage risk, security and compliance. Get insights on how to incorporate AI into your organization’s risk management program in order to unlock its full potential. 

  • Dave Kliemann, Cloud Risk and Controls Leader, IBM Cloud 

Topic: Operations 
Get Innovative: Get FedNow

Since its July 2023 launch, FedNow has unlocked a range of beneficial instant payment use cases. While some community banks are still contemplating their operational readiness for nonstop availability and deciding whether to send payments or only receive them, others have embraced instant payments with success. Hear how community banks have worked with their core and service providers for a smooth and secure adoption and implementation process. 

Topic: Board Governance
Posing a Credible Challenge Perspective: The Board's Role

A fundamental responsibility of directors, whether they're board newcomers or veterans, is to pose a credible challenge to management. Learn how directors are harnessing this discipline and carrying it with them through all facets of board service, from training to committees to the board room, and applying it to all topics that may arise, from concentrations to capital to innovation. 

  • Debra Cope, Editor, ABA Director’s Briefing 
  • George Hermann, Executive Chairman, Windsor Federal MHC

12:15 PM – 1:15 PM

Networking Lunch

Join us for lunch and connect with community banking colleagues from across the country. Learn about innovative new products and services that can take your bank to the next level.

1:15 PM – 1:30 PM

Break

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM

Spark!

Spark! is your chance to enjoy heartfelt stories from your peers that are fast, fun and focused. These five-minute presentations will surely ignite your inner leader and inspire you in your career.

2:45 PM – 3:45 PM

Educational Peer Exchange Sessions

Topic: Board Governance
Navigate Change in an Uncertain World 

New forces in the banking industry range from digitization to AI to the tsunami of regulatory requirements, and they all add up to a need for savvy change management. Learn how boards and management must expand their scope of inquiry, recognize vulnerabilities and opportunities and navigate change. 

  • Debra Cope, Editor, ABA Directors’ Briefing 
  • Rafael DeLeon, Senior Vice President, Industry Engagement, nContracts 

Topic: Operations 
Educate Customers and Communities about Fraud

Criminals are targeting people of all ages, and losses have risen exponentially across America. Combating fraud requires a multipronged strategy, and consumer education is a critical component. Join this session to hear from the ABA Foundation, the BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust and the FINRA Foundation to learn about scam prevention efforts and how to tailor your bank’s messaging to ensure that your educational interventions can reduce susceptibility to fraud.

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Closing General Session

5:15 PM – 6:00 PM

A Toast to Community Banking Reception

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

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Get updates on the Conference for Community Bankers as we develop this year's program. Contact us if you have any questions.