This session will challenge institutions to shift their focus from predicting the Fed to actively managing their balance sheet exposures. Drawing on current market conditions, regulatory developments, and real-world M&A and capital markets case studies, Scott will highlight how institutions are rethinking their playbooks to build earnings resilience, mitigate risk, and position for greater strategic flexibility. Attendees will gain actionable insights for evaluating their institution's balance sheet positioning and a practical framework for communicating key decisions effectively to boards and management teams.
Learning Outcomes:
- Identify current balance sheet risks and opportunities and distinguish between yield curve risk and interest rate risk to more accurately manage their institution's exposures
- Evaluate recent regulatory developments and their implications for balance sheet strategy and business model positioning
- Apply actionable strategies — from hedges and structured alternatives to investment portfolio and whole loan solutions — to protect margin and build earnings resilience
- Apply practical communication frameworks for presenting balance sheet decisions effectively to boards and management teams
Curated specifically for financial institutions, we will unpack the latest developments in tax legislation in the wake of the passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill”. This session will equip you and your institution with the knowledge to make informed decisions regarding recent tax legislative developments and identify potential strategic opportunities.
Learning Outcomes:
- Discuss the passing of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” and specific provisions directly impacting financial institutions
- Uncover potential strategic tax opportunities for financial institutions to consider
- Learn about the predicted future implications of the current tax landscape
Embedded finance is blurring the lines between banking and technology, enabling financial services to be delivered seamlessly within third-party platforms. This fireside chat highlights how banking-as-a-service (BaaS) can help institutions capture new revenue streams while navigating the operational complexity of a platform-driven model.
Learning Outcomes:
- Define embedded finance and its implications for traditional banking models
- Identify revenue opportunities and risks within BaaS ecosystems
- Develop strategies to scale partnerships while maintaining brand and customer trust
M&A is about more than strategy and scale — it’s also about execution. This client panel dives into how institutions can unlock value through operational efficiencies, technology integration, and cultural alignment, while managing the risks that often derail deals.
Learning Outcomes:
- Identify key value creation levers in bank mergers, including cost synergies and tech integration
- Recognize common pitfalls in post-merger integration and how to avoid them
- Align M&A strategy with long-term operational and customer experience goals
Technology risk in community banking has rapidly evolved beyond IT, now directly impacting financial performance, regulatory compliance, and customer trust—often with AI already embedded across operations without adequate oversight. Limited resources and outdated governance frameworks leave many institutions struggling to manage cybersecurity, data, and third-party risks at the level regulators expect. This session provides practical, scalable approaches to strengthen oversight, align governance with emerging risks, and enable more informed, resilient decision-making.
Learning Outcomes:
- Identify where artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data governance, and digital risk exist within financial institutions
- Understand regulatory expectations for governance and oversight of AI, cyber, and digital risk, as they apply to institutions of varying sizes and complexities
- Evaluate how traditional risk management frameworks extend to AI‑enabled tools, digital risks, and identify where enhancements are needed
- Recognize the role of data governance as a foundational risk management discipline
As the intricacy of regulations grows and earnings pressure increases, financial institutions must regularly evaluate the effectiveness of their risk management programs. Properly established and comprehensively maintained programs help control compliance-related expenses, avoid costly remediation activities, and mitigate operational, strategic, and reputational risks. The Regulator Panel will bring together regulatory professionals to emphasize the need for financial institutions to comply with regulatory requirements and to stay informed of any recent updates.
Learning Outcomes:
- Receive updates on the current regulatory environment
- Learn how effective risk management can affect regulatory compliance
- Discuss how to proactively plan for regulatory compliance updates