Overview
The financial industry’s premier event for bank executives and members of the board, Bank Director’s Acquire or Be Acquired Conference, offers unparalleled networking opportunities for senior leadership teams eager to explore financial growth, strategic initiatives and business partnerships. Celebrated as the industry’s foremost conference for CEOs, board members and executive teams, this annual gathering is your gateway to discovering new avenues for growth.

Engage in Topical Discussions and Gain Practical Insights
Over three days, bank officers and directors delve into the current economic climate, explore ways to enhance shareholder value and gain insights into the evolving competitive landscape.

Explore Technology Strategies and Partnerships
Join our exclusive FinXTech sessions crafted for executives driving digital strategies and technology partnerships – and members of the board who want a deeper understanding in technology. Engage with industry experts to uncover key insights into the rapidly changing technology landscape, digital growth strategies, core contracts and the essentials of being a strategic partner while enhancing customer experiences.

Network with Influential Industry Professionals
Acquire or Be Acquired connects senior leaders with influential peers eager to explore growth avenues, strategic initiatives and valuable partnerships. The distinguished audience includes officers and directors from public and private financial institutions, fintech experts, law firm partners, investment bankers, accounting partners, management consultants and investors, all gathering annually in Arizona.

For more information, please email events@bankdirector.com or call our events department at 877-397-7595.

The rate includes all conference activities, materials, meals and beverages at the event site. The price does not include travel or hotel accommodations.

Conference Rates
Early Individual Rate: $2,495 (Expires September 26, 2025)
Standard Individual Rate: $2,795
Early Group Rate: $2,395 (Expires September 26, 2025)
Standard Group Rate: $2,595 (For groups of 3 or more from the same financial institution.)

Membership Program Conference Rates
If your bank is a participating program member, please contact 877-397-7595 to find out about special conference rates and/or event passes that may be available to you and your board. For questions or to learn more about Bank Director’s membership program, please email bankservices@bankdirector.com.

Guest Registration
The guest rate of $595 covers entrance to the Sunday lunch and all evening receptions. Guests interested in playing with attendees in the golf tournament can sign up based on space availability for an additional fee of $205. Guests interested in playing with attendees in the pickleball tournament can sign up based on space availability for an additional fee of $50. (If a guest would like to attend the sessions, please register them as an attendee. A guest is a spouse, significant other or friend who is not in a financial services occupation. A co-worker (even a spouse co-worker) or an associate within the financial services industry is not considered a guest and should register as an attendee.)

Non-Banker Rate: $4,495
This registration fee applies to attendees who are board advisors/observers, investment bankers, attorneys, accounting firms, and other vendors and service providers. This rate also applies to managing directors of a bank’s investment banking practice. Bank Director reserves the right to verify your company profile and adjust your registration rate if necessary.

About the Hotel
Experience a transformative stay at JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, nestled within the serene beauty of Arizona’s Sonoran Desert and offering a wide range of exceptional experiences. Get in the game with 17 pickleball courts, a fully stocked pro shop and certified instruction. Golf aficionados can tee off on two championship courses, complete with PGA professional instructors, tournament play and club fittings. The spectacular pool area features five pools, a relaxing lazy river, luxurious cabana cottages and pool suites. Escape to this luxury desert oasis where breathtaking views, personalized service and cutting-edge amenities will captivate your spirit like no other resort can.

The room block at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge is currently sold out. However, rooms may become available closer to the time of the event. If you are a registered banker attendee and want to be added to the hotel waitlist, please email events@bankdirector.com or call our events department at 877-397-7595. For a list of nearby hotels, please click here.

Payments & Cancellation
Conference registration includes admittance to all conference activities and the conference materials. Payment will be accepted by check, American Express, Visa, MasterCard or Discover. If paying by check, please make payable to DirectorCorps, Inc. and include the attendee’s name(s) and/or a copy of the registration form and mail to:

Conferences
Bank Director
201 Summit View Drive, Suite 250
Brentwood, TN 37027

Due to commitments and expenses, all cancellations after December 5, 2025, will be subject to a $500 processing fee. We regret that no refunds will be given after January 9, 2026; however, substitute participants are welcome. DirectorCorps, Inc. assumes no liability for any nonrefundable travel, hotel or related expenses incurred by registrants.

For more information, please contact our events department at 877-397-7595.

• Saturday January 31

  5:00 PM – 5:30 PM
  Women in Leadership Reception
  Sponsored by: Abrigo
  With so many top executives and board members traveling to this conference on Saturday, this reception allows female executives to meet their contemporaries from across the United States. Please note: a separate registration is not needed to attend this reception as it is included in the conference registration.

  5:00 PM – 5:30 PM
  First-Time Attendee Reception
  Concurrent with our Women in Leadership Reception, we welcome first-time attendees to our Acquire or Be Acquired Conference.  Meet members of the Bank Director leadership team and others attending the conference for the first time. Please note: a separate registration is not needed to attend this reception as it is included in the conference registration.

  5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
  Welcoming Reception & Registration
  Sponsored by: BMO Capital Markets Corp., COCC, KlariVis and Moody’s
  While winter grips much of the country, we’ve found early evening in Arizona to be a welcome change for many joining us.  Kick off the conference by catching up with old friends and making new connections.

• Day One | Sunday February 1

  7:00 AM – 8:00 AM
  Registration & Breakfast
  Sponsored by:  Fiserv
  

  8:00 AM – 8:15 AM
  Welcome: Exploring Your Growth Options
  Michelle King, CEO, Bank Director
  Laura Schield, President & COO, Bank Director
  While Acquire or Be Acquired began 32 years ago as an M&A conference, AOBA, as it has become known, is about exploring ALL of your bank’s growth options. As we welcome participants to Phoenix to kick off this year’s event, Michelle and Laura share new ideas to build your bank’s short and long-term strategies.

  8:15 AM – 9:05 AM
  The State of Banking 2026
  Thomas Michaud, President & CEO, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, A Stifel Company
  A highlight of this annual event, this session focuses on the industry’s fundamentals, bank and non-bank competition, what macro and regulatory forces are at work and where the industry stands on its 40 year consolidation path.

  9:05 AM – 9:45 AM
  An Outlook on the Banking Landscape
  Mark Kanaly, Partner, Alston & Bird LLP
  Brian Leibfried, Head of Client Insights, Performance Trust Capital Partners, LLC
  Mandi Simpson, Partner, Crowe LLP
  Moderated by: Nathan Stovall, Director of Financial Institutions Research, S&P Global Market Intelligence
  As the banking industry evolves in response to economic and regulatory changes, how can banks prepare for the future? In this panel discussion, industry experts share insights on what to expect from Washington and the government’s influence on businesses – highlighting key impacts on the banking industry.

  9:20 AM – 9:55 AM
  FinXTech Session: Let’s Be Practical: Envisioning Your Bank’s Future
  Joshua Jordan, Director of Fintech Alliances, Jack Henry
  Speaker to be Announced, Moody’s
  Speaker to be Announced, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
  Moderated by: Michelle King, CEO, Bank Director
  For most banks, technology is not a core part of their identity but a means to achieve efficiencies and better serve their customers. As banks increasingly rely on data analytics to improve back-office productivity and manage regulatory compliance duties, there are still gaps in bank strategies around data, artificial intelligence and technology. How can technology best position your bank for future growth? As we begin these AOBA tech-specific sessions, this panel provides thoughts and ideas to consider for you and your bank.

  9:45 AM – 10:25 AM
  Strong Board. Strong Bank.
  Meg Tahyar, Head of Financial Institutions Group & Partner, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
  Matt Veneri, Head of Investment Banking and Managing Director, Financial Institutions Group, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC
  Additional Speaker to be Announced
  Moderated by: Jim McAlpin, Board Member, Bank Director
  Bank Director is focused on strong boards and strong banks, so what can you do to strengthen your bank both financially and operationally? Learn from three leaders in the industry as they share best practices and lessons learned.

  10:05 AM – 10:40 AM
  FinXTech Session: Demystifying AI
  Tim Dively, National Digital Director, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP
  Ravi Nemalikanti, Chief Product and Technology Officer, Abrigo, Inc.
  Speaker to be Announced, SRM
  Moderated by: Emily McCormick, Vice President, Editorial & Research, Bank Director
  AI can be a fantastic tool that makes work more efficient, but where is it best used?  And how are banks currently using artificial intelligence, given the risks and challenges that come with it? Hear use cases in this practical and tactical session.

  10:25 AM – 10:45 AM
  Refreshment Break

  10:45 AM – 11:25 AM
  Breakout Sessions (select one)
  Participants have the opportunity to select one of seven breakout sessions to attend.  Sessions to be announced.

  Breakout 2: What the Board Needs to Know in 2026
  Robert Fleetwood, Partner & Co-Chair of Financial Institutions Group, Barack Ferrazzano Kirschbaum & Nagelberg LLP
  Al Laufenberg, Managing Director, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, A Stifel Company
  This breakout session continues the “Need to Know” series that has consistently been a popular highlight at this conference for many years.  Gain practical insight into what CEOs and directors need to know in 2026 and beyond.

  Breakout 4:  Banking On Uncertainty
  Jeffrey Berg, Associate Managing Director, Financial Institutions, Moody’s Ratings
  Megan Fox, Vice President, Senior Credit Officer, Financial Institutions, Moody’s Ratings
  Banks are facing uncertainty on several fronts: macroeconomy, geopolitics, regulation and the competitive landscape. Moody’s Ratings offers its outlook on U.S. banks and discusses the latest trends affecting the industry.

  Breakout 5:  Community and Regional Banks: Buy, Sell or Reinvent
  Rahul Chandarana, EY-Parthenon Americas Banking & Capital Markets Sector Leader – Partner, EY
  This session examines survival strategies for community and regional players, focusing on niche dominance, M&A-driven scale and technology-based reinvention in a competitive market.

  Breakout 6:  Strategic Capital Allocation in an Era of Consolidation
  Matt Forgotson, Managing Director, Performance Trust Capital Partners, LLC
  Since 1990, 65% of FDIC-insured banks have disappeared. Attendees of this session will learn the cause and potential solution: a disciplined decision-making process that sets all marginal capital allocation options, ranging from organic loan growth to opportunistic M&A, on a level playing field. Those willing to embrace a more complete analytical view can help protect and potentially even accelerate their missions.

  10:50 AM – 11:25 AM
  FinXTech Session: Growing Through Customer Retention & User Experiences
  Stephen Bohanon, Founder & Chief Strategy Officer, Alkami Technology, Inc.
  Jill Flaherty, First Vice President, Business Development, COCC
  Nathaniel Harley, Co-founder and President, MANTL
  Moderated by: Naomi Snyder, Editor-in-Chief, Bank Director
  Banks can significantly boost growth by focusing on customer retention and user experience. Loyal clients cost less to maintain and can bring higher revenue through increased transaction volume and cross-selling opportunities. Prioritizing and providing personalized services enhances customer satisfaction and fosters long-term relationships. Dive into new strategies to consider as this panel focuses on not only retaining customers but also growing their current relationships with your institution.

  11:35 AM – 12:10 PM
  FinXTech Session: Gaining Efficiencies in Managing & Servicing Your Loan Portfolio
  Joe Ehrhardt, CEO & Founder, Teslar Software
  Josh Morozowski, Senior Director, Strategic Client Solutions, IBISWorld
  Speaker to be Announced, nCino
  Moderated by: Bill Herrell, Executive Vice President & Managing Director, Bank Director
  Optimize your loan portfolio with streamlined strategies. During this session, hear from industry leaders on how to implement advanced analytics to inform decision-making and automate routine processes for time efficiency. The panelists share how to best monitor performance metrics regularly to identify and address issues swiftly, achieve cost reduction and enhanced financial security through proactive management practices and learn how to transform challenges into growth opportunities.

  11:40 AM – 12:20 PM
  Scaling with Stability
  Speaker to be Announced, Cornerstone Advisors
  Nikhil Lele, EY Americas Consulting Banking and Capital Markets Leader, EY
  Christopher Olsen, Managing Partner, Olsen Palmer LLC
  Moderated by: Sal Inserra, Senior Advisor, Bank Director
  How do you successfully scale your bank?  You must consider capital raising, deposit growth, talent development, succession planning and more!

  12:10 PM – 1:30 PM
  Networking Peer & Guest Lunch

  12:40 PM – 1:20 PM
  Lunch & Learn Sessions (select one)
  Lunch & Learn sessions allow participants to learn about a shared topic of interest over lunch.  Six sessions run concurrently – attendees may select one to attend. Sessions to be announced.

  Lunch & Learn Session 1: Charting the Future: A Blueprint for CEO Succession Success
  Julie Bell, Leadership Advisory, Chartwell Partners
  Scott Petty, Managing Partner, Chartwell Partners
  Succession planning isn’t just about replacing leaders—it’s about securing your organization’s future, especially in times of transformation. In this strategic session, we explore ways to build a strong CEO succession plan, with a particular focus on periods of transition, including mergers and acquisitions. Learn how to proactively manage executive succession to minimize disruption, maintain continuity and preserve organizational value during deal-making.

  Lunch & Learn Session 2: Implementing a Profitable Growth Strategy for Today and Tomorrow
  Brett Rawls, Head of Client Engagement, Profit Resources, Inc.
  Growth shouldn’t be just about getting bigger.  As your institution expands, consider these questions: Are you improving results and building lasting value?  Are you increasing low-cost deposits, diversifying loans and leveraging technology for efficient growth?  Can you adapt to economic changes?  This session explores strategies to align bank profitability with asset growth.

  Lunch & Learn Session 3: Stop Leaving Money on the Table: Tools and Strategies for Relationship Banking
  Scott Earwood, Head of Community Bank Division, White Clay
  Relationships are key to community banking. How do you build relationships that ensure value for both the client and the shareholder? The session provides key insights on building relationship-level profitability, optimally using relationship pricing tools in the sales process and sharing banker stories of how this is being executed.

  Lunch & Learn Session 4:  Your Finance Team: The critical link between Strategic Planning and Execution
  Bryan Ridgway, Director of Performance Management Solutions, Empyrean Solutions, LLC
  Ed Young, Managing Director, Empyrean Solutions, LLC
  In today’s volatile banking landscape, having a strategic plan isn’t enough. The gap between strategy and execution is where most financial institutions struggle. Your finance organization isn’t just about numbers – it’s the strategic nerve center that when properly positioned, becomes the critical link between visionary planning, risk assessment and measurable results.

  1:30 PM – 2:10 PM
  What Is Your Bank Worth?
  Curtis Carpenter, Senior Managing Director, Hovde Group, LLC
  When it is time to sell, you want the highest value for your bank possible.  But what is the current value of your bank – and are there ways to increase its value?  Learn about bank valuation in today’s market during this featured conference session.

  1:30 PM – 2:05 PM
  FinXTech Session: Harnessing Fintech Partnerships to Drive Growth and Efficiency
  Speaker to be Announced, Q2
  This session explores how fintech collaboration is increasingly critical to success. Hear from peers who are rapidly integrating top fintech solutions across diverse categories, such as payments, customer onboarding, small business accounting and virtual chat. Learn practical strategies for effective partnerships that benefit both customers and organizations – and achieve remarkable results.

  2:10 PM – 2:30 PM
  General Session: 2026 Technology Update
  Gregory Adelson, President & CEO, Jack Henry
  Emily McCormick, Vice President of Editorial & Research, Bank Director
  Learn how smart financial institutions invest in technology, leverage data and explore use cases for artificial intelligence by discovering key insights from Bank Director’s 2025 Technology Survey.

  2:15 PM – 2:50 PM
  FinXTech Session: Leveraging Data for Growth
  David Benskin, Founder & CEO, Wealth Access Inc.
  Tim Keith, CEO, Infusion Marketing Group
  Speaker to be Announced, Baker Hill Solutions LLC
  Moderated by: Jack Milligan, Editor-at-Large, Bank Director
  Harnessing the power of data is a game-changer for businesses. It drives informed decisions, uncovers market trends and optimizes operations. By analyzing customer behaviors, financial institutions gain insights to enhance their strategies. Embrace data analytics to fuel innovation and growth, transforming your business into a data-driven powerhouse for sustainable success.

  2:45 PM – 3:25 PM
  Breakout Sessions (select one)
  Participants may select one of seven concurrent breakout sessions to attend. Sessions to be announced.

  Breakout 1:  Inside the Deal: M&A Insights for Closely Held Financial Institutions
  Blake Crowe, Partner, Eide Bailly LLP
  Michael Holdren, Partner, Eide Bailly LLP
  This session provides a strategic overview of the M&A process, designed explicitly for family-owned and privately-held financial institutions. Attendees gain insights from both buy and sell-side perspectives. Key topics include identifying and evaluating potential partners, marketing a bank for sale, assessing value and pricing, navigating legal and tax structuring, preparing regulatory applications, understanding acquisition accounting and managing post-deal capital impact.

  Breakout 2: Key Strategic Priorities Boards and CFOs Should Be Focused On
  Ashley Ensley, Partner & National Sector Leader, Financial Services, Forvis Mazars
  This presentation delves into the top focus areas that are essential for effective governance and financial leadership. Attendees receive updates on top accounting and auditing matters specific to the banking industry, including regulatory oversight, financial and accounting developments, audit focus areas and more. Join us to gain valuable insights and practical strategies that empower boards and CFOs to lead their organizations with confidence and foresight.

  Breakout 3:  Leverage the Moment: Core System Strategy that Drives M&A Success
  Danelle Hawig, Senior Vice President, ICI Consulting
  Core processing platforms are foundational to the success of any M&A project in the financial sector.  A thorough evaluation and strategic negotiation of core and ancillary systems can significantly impact integration timelines, long-term operating costs, risk mitigation and customer experience.  Leveraging the right technology partner ensures smoother transitions and maximizes the strategic value of the merger or acquisition.

  3:00 PM – 3:35 PM
  FinXTech Session: Creating a Treasury Management Strategy
  Cetin Duransoy, CEO, Raisin
  Jill Feiler, CEO, ZSuite Technologies, Inc.
  Jeff Zuendt, EVP & Chief Deposit Officer, R&T Deposit Solutions
  Moderated by: Jackie Stewart, Executive Editor, Bank Director
  Implementing a treasury management strategy is crucial for business stability and growth. It involves optimizing cash flow, managing risk, securing funding and ensuring regulatory compliance. During this session, hear from industry experts to see if this is the right approach for your bank.

  3:45 PM – 4:20 PM
  FinXTech Session: Operational Efficiencies: Outsourcing or Offshoring?
  Aaron Donaldson, Principal, Technology & Management Consulting, RSM US LLP
  Additional Speakers to be Announced
  Moderated by: Jim McAlpin, Board Member, Bank Director
  Should your bank outsource or offshore?  This question is at the forefront of enhancing operational efficiency. Outsourcing often offers cost savings and flexibility by utilizing external expertise. Offshoring extends these benefits globally, tapping into lower labor costs and round-the-clock operations. Both strategies enhance efficiency but require careful assessment of your business needs. Make sure your bank considers all of the possibilities.

  3:25 PM – 3:45 PM
  Refreshment Break

  3:45 PM – 4:25 PM
  Breakout Sessions (select one)
  Participants may select one of seven concurrent breakout sessions to attend.  Sessions to be announced.

  Breakout 2:  High-Risk, High-Reward: Mastering the Art of Onboarding and Oversight
  Tony Repanich, President & CEO, Shield Compliance, LLC
  Onboarding and managing ongoing due diligence for high-risk customers, such as cannabis operators, money services businesses and digital asset providers, can provide operational challenges for financial institutions. This session explores strategies to reduce friction during account setup and build scalable compliance programs that improve efficiency, manage regulatory expectations and enable profitability.

  Breakout 3:  Doing An M&A Deal: M&A 101
  Gary Svec, Managing Director, Performance Trust Capital Partners, LLC
  You know that M&A is a vital way to grow your business – or an opportunity for an exit – but how do you do a deal?  What must you know to succeed, and what areas can cause delay or failure?  Learn the basics of M&A in this educational session.  And if you are attending the M&A simulation, this is a key session to attend.

  Breakout 4:  Modernizing with Purpose: A Community Bank’s Core Transformation Journey
  Aleda DeMaria, EVP and Chief Banking Officer, PeoplesBank
  Jeffery Kendall, CEO & Chairman, Nymbus
  This session explores how PeoplesBank approached core modernization to support long-term growth and innovation — becoming the largest U.S. community bank to convert to a cloud-native core. The team shares lessons on evaluating sidecar strategies, navigating internal alignment and laying the groundwork for new business models and deeper fintech collaboration.

  Breakout 5:  Turning Data into Profit: Using Data to Evaluate Operations and Decisions
  David Heneke, Principal, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP
  In today’s rapidly evolving financial landscape, banks must leverage one of their most important resources, data. This session explores how data-driven decision–making can empower banks to optimize operations better, manage risk and enhance decision–making. Attendees learn practical approaches to collecting, analyzing and applying data insights, with real-world examples tailored to the unique nature of community banking.

  4:40 PM – 5:20 PM
  Transforming Your Bank
  Mark Wuchte, Principal, Risk Advisory, Baker Tilly
  Speaker to be Announced, nCino
  Additional Speaker to be Announced
  Moderated by: Michelle King, CEO, Bank Director
  Open banking and artificial intelligence offer banks opportunities, but they also present challenges and risks.  During this panel discussion, hear best practices for transforming your bank for the future.

  5:20 PM – 6:20 PM
  Networking Peer & Guest Reception
  Sponsored by: HC3 and Wealth Access Inc.
  

• Day Two | Monday February 2

  7:00 AM – 8:00 AM
  Breakfast
  Sponsored by: Crowe LLP
  

  8:00 AM – 8:10 AM
  Day Two Opening Remarks
  Michelle King, CEO, Bank Director
  Laura Schield, President & COO, Bank Director

  8:10 AM – 8:50 AM
  The Best of RankingBanking
  Christopher Murphy III, Chairman & CEO, 1st Source Corporation and Chairman, 1st Source Bank
  Additional Speakers to be Announced
  Moderated by:  Kara Baldwin, Partner, Crowe LLP
  What does it take to become a top-performing bank?  For years, Bank Director has studied that question. In response, Bank Director created an annual report, RankingBanking, to dive into the performance of the largest publicly traded banks in the U.S.  During this panel discussion, hear from three banks that topped the most recent Bank Director’s RankingBanking study.

  8:50 AM – 9:30 AM
  What A Difference A Year Makes: The M&A Wave Is Upon Us
  Speaker to be Announced, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, A Stifel Company
  Understanding the regulatory landscape and aligning with technological innovations are vital. Moreover, focusing on customer-centric models enhances value. These acquisitions underline the importance of proactive planning and agile management in navigating today’s complex financial environment.

  9:30 AM – 10:10 AM
  The Global Impact on the Financial Industry
  Ebrahim Poonawala, Head of North America Banks Research, Bank of America
  Manolo Sanchez, Former Chairman & CEO, BBVA Compass
  Speaker to be Announced, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
  Moderated by: Brad Downs, CEO, SRM and Chairman, SRM Europe
  What should U.S. banks focus on regarding the evolving landscape of the global financial industry?  With technological advancements moving at lightning speed, regulatory changes and the shifting economic landscapes, it is challenging to manage the impact of global trends emerging in various markets. Further, fintech innovations are disrupting traditional banking models, enhancing efficiency and accessibility to consumers nationwide. During this session, we discuss key considerations banks should consider today.

  9:40 AM – 10:15 AM
  FinXTech Session: Driving Growth Through Small Businesses
  Jay Blandford, CEO, Abrigo, Inc.
  Paul Provenzano, Head of U.S. Market, ebankIT
  Derik Sutton, Chief Marketing Officer, Autobooks
  Moderated by: Jim McAlpin, Board Director, Bank Director
  Small businesses that fuel our economy are the backbone of growth in our communities. They drive innovation and create jobs. How can banks best meet their small business customers where they are and serve them beyond their expectations?  Hear from experts who are helping banks drive small business growth.

  10:10 AM – 10:30 AM
  Refreshment Break

  10:30 AM – 12:15 PM
  M&A Simulation
  Will Brackett, Managing Director, Performance Trust Capital Partners, LLC
  Grant Butler, Partner, Asset Management & Investment Funds Practice, K&L Gates LLP
  Matt Kennedy, Managing Director, Performance Trust Capital Partners, LLC
  Adam Smith, Partner, M&A Practice, K&L Gates LLP
  Gary Svec, Managing Director, Performance Trust Capital Partners, LLC
  Rob Tammero, Partner, M&A Practice, K&L Gates LLP
  Striking a deal for a prized target has never been more competitive than it is today.  For buyers, careful discipline is required to ensure that bids are designed to accomplish acquisition growth without damaging the company’s value.  For sellers, a competitive bid process must be skillfully navigated to earn the best deal for shareholders.  In this session, participants work through the final rounds of a competitive auction involving a prized seller to see which bank emerges as the successful acquirer.  Of course, as in real deals, some wrinkles will appear.  The simulation is exclusive to 45 bank attendees only, allowing one banker per institution, no capital markets titles (this session is NOT for investment bankers of any kind) and runs concurrently with the below breakout sessions.

  10:30 AM – 11:05 AM
  FinXTech Session: Branch Transformation Strategies, Leveraging Your Brand
  Gina Bleedorn, President & CEO, Adrenaline
  Additional Speakers to be Announced
  Moderated by: Jackie Stewart, Executive Editor, Bank Director
  How are your branches evolving to best leverage your brand and attract audiences within your markets? How has your branch strategy changed over the last five years? New strategies focus on digital integration, personalized services, naming and branding relevance and community-centric, advisory layouts. Improve customer engagement while optimizing operations by evaluating your naming risks, enhancing technology and redesigning spaces.

  10:30 AM – 11:10 AM
  Breakout Sessions (select one)
  Participants have the opportunity to select one of seven breakout sessions to attend.  Sessions to be announced.

  Breakout 2:  M&A Master Class:  A Seasoned Acquirer and Recent Seller Share Best Practices and Lessons Learned
  Speakers to be Announced
  Moderated by:  Christopher Olsen, Managing Partner, Olsen Palmer LLC
  This moderated ‘fireside discussion’ with the CEOs of a seller and an acquirer reveals key findings applicable to sellers and buyers alike. For prospective sellers, learn best practices for preparing for and executing a sale, as well as characteristics that achieve a premium price. For would-be buyers, gain better insights into the seller’s mindset, the deal process and key transaction risks.

  Breakout 3: The Devil Is In the Details: Metrics for Credit & Operational Excellence
  Joe Ehrhardt, CEO & Founder, Teslar Software
  Derek Gibson, EVP, Chief Operating Officer, Legacy Bank
  Behind every credit or operations team is a set of often overlooked metrics telling a powerful story. Drawing on real-world trends across community and regional banks, this session examines how indicators like exception percentages, collateral and policy exceptions, risk rating distributions and loan maintenance activity reveal more profound insights into operational discipline and credit health. Whether you’re preparing for acquisition or planning to scale independently, this session equips you with a sharper understanding of the KPIs that drive sustained success and how to benchmark your institution accordingly.

  Breakout 4:  Post-M&A Reality Check: Unifying Tech, Clients & Teams Without Breaking Your Wealth Group
  David Benskin, Founder & CEO, Wealth Access Inc.
  M&A growth often creates fractured tech stacks, overlapping clients and resource strain—especially for wealth teams. This session explores how boards and executives can turn post-merger chaos into strategic value by consolidating systems, aligning leadership and empowering wealth to drive non-interest income and client retention. Learn how disciplined oversight transforms integration into a competitive advantage.

  Breakout 5:  M&A Unveiled: The Essential Due Diligence Playbook for Banks
  Rob Azarow, Partner, Arnold & Porter
  Amber Hay, Partner, Arnold & Porter
  Michael Mancusi, Partner, Arnold & Porter
  Kevin Toomey, Partner, Head of Financial Services, Arnold & Porter
  Where are the potential minefields that can damage deal value, create a regulatory challenge to deal approval or mangle an integration plan? Learn about the key diligence issues and how best to tackle them, including tips on building your diligence team, conducting management interviews, pulling together the results for constructing a bid and preparing for the regulatory process taking into account the new environment under the Trump Administration.

  11:15 AM – 11:50 AM
  FinXTech Session: Strengthening your Bank’s Defenses
  Ryan Sorrels, Chief Revenue Officer, Quavo, Inc.
  Speaker to be Announced, CyberGlobal LLC
  Additional Speaker to be Announced
  Moderated by: Sal Inserra, Senior Advisor, Bank Director
  In today’s digital landscape, protecting sensitive financial data from cyber threats and fraud is not just a necessity – it’s a business imperative. Financial institutions need to implement advanced security and compliance measures while maintaining a seamless customer experience. This panel explores how leading organizations are leveraging technology partnerships, innovative solutions to reduce risks, enhance fraud detection and resolution to safeguard both customer trust and financial assets.

  11:25 AM – 12:05 PM
  Breakout Sessions (select one)
  Conversations continue with a second round of morning breakout sessions — participants select one of seven concurrent opportunities to engage with industry leaders. Sessions to be announced.

  Breakout 2:  Strengthening Credit Resilience: Processes, Contingencies and Culture
  Raleigh Green, VP, Credit Risk Management, Bank Independent
  David Ruffin, Principal, IntelliCredit, A Division of Infusion Marketing Group
  Preparing for periods of weaker credit performance is an enduring risk management protocol – and has clear implications on credit marks in potential M&A activity. The uncertainties of the past few years have given industry experts reason for concern, particularly following such a long period of benign performance. In this co-presentation, an experienced and practical banker joins IntelliCredit to share tangible strategies and processes to help mitigate portfolio deterioration – emphasizing the role of a robust, consistent credit culture as a key driver of resilience.

  Breakout 3:  Developments in Stablecoin
  Gary Bronstein, Partner, Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP
  The Genius Act has been enacted into law, which could have a profound effect on the payment system in the United States. Banks need to be informed whether or not your bank becomes an issuer of stablecoin. The goal of this session is to provide bank leadership with the necessary information on the subject.

  Breakout 4:  From Reactive to Predictive: Build Winning Deposit Products That Drive Loyalty and Revenue
  Rob Armour, EVP, Chief Marketing & Product Development Officer, BankPlus
  Dave DeFazio, Chief Strategy Officer, StrategyCorps
  Herber de Ruijter, Chief Product Officer, StrategyCorps
  The fastest-growing banks aren’t winning with rates alone. They’re winning with more innovative strategies that unlock hidden deposit revenue, prevent leakage and drive loyalty through data-led decisions. In this forward-looking session, see how leading banks design deposit products and pricing strategies that turn transactional data into actionable growth and walk away with a roadmap you can use immediately.

  Breakout 5:  Tech-Enabled Agility: Transforming Deposit Management to Stay Competitive
  Kevin Bannerton, EVP & Chief Product Officer, R&T Deposit Solutions
  How can banks build the agility needed to transform deposit and liquidity management for lasting competitiveness in a rapidly changing regulatory and market landscape? Join R&T’s Kevin Bannerton to explore how technology is driving smarter funding strategies, sharper balance sheet optimization and stronger compliance alignment. Through real-world case studies, discover how institutions are diversifying funding sources, leveraging insured sweep networks, complementing overnight funding with flexible term options and implementing enterprise-wide solutions that enhance resilience, adaptability and growth in today’s dynamic environment.

  12:00 PM – 1:05 PM
  Networking Lunch

  12:00 PM – 1:05 PM
  Women in Leadership Luncheon
  Expanding on the Women in Leadership Reception held on Saturday, this is an opportunity for women to come together over lunch.  Both men and women are invited to attend this luncheon. 

  1:05 PM – 1:30 PM
  What We Learned from Bank Director’s 2026 Bank M&A Survey
  Emily McCormick, Vice President of Editorial & Research, Bank Director
  Naomi Snyder, Editor-in-Chief, Bank Director
  Patrick Vernon, Senior Manager, Advisory Services, Crowe LLP
  Merger activity has slowed in recent years, driven by many factors, including unrealized losses on banks’ balance sheets and uncertainty about regulatory approvals. At the same time, the interest rate environment has challenged bank profitability, tamping down borrowing demand and making core deposits more expensive. During this session, participants hear the results of Bank Director’s most recent M&A survey.

  1:30 PM – 2:10 PM
  Stories & Best Practices From Your Peers
  Randy Chesler, President & CEO, Glacier Bancorp
  Steve Steinour, Chairman, President & CEO, Huntington Bancshares Incorporated
  Additional Speaker to be Announced
  Moderated by: Jack Milligan, Editor-at-Large, Bank Director
  During this session, hear from leading banks from across the country as they share their insights and experiences.

  2:25 PM – 3:05 PM
  Breakout Sessions (select one)
  Participants may select from one of six breakout sessions to attend.  Sessions to be announced.

  Breakout 1:  Community Bank M&A – Getting to “Yes” Faster
  Scott Coleman, Partner, Ballard & Spahr LLP
  Kenneth Haglund, Partner, Ballard & Spahr LLP
  Beau Hurtig, Of Counsel, Ballard & Spahr LLP
  This session covers the key provisions in a definitive agreement from the perspective of a community bank buyer and seller, including the representations and warranties, operating covenants and terms of indemnification. We explore the points of friction and emerging trends in M&A transactions and offer practical strategies to streamline negotiations, bridge gaps between parties and maintain deal momentum.

  Breakout 2:  Interest Rate Risk & Opportunity: A CFO’s Guide to Strategic Positioning
  Todd Cuppia, Managing Director, Balance Sheet Risk Management, Chatham Financial
  Kalen Van Maanen, Director, Client Relationship Management, Chatham Financial
  Interest rate movements present both challenges and opportunities for banks. Positioning your balance sheet strategically can turn market uncertainty into an advantage. In this session, we explore ways to manage rate risk while seizing opportunities for sustainable growth.

  Breakout 3:  Assessing the Competitive Landscape and Impact on Bank Capital Raising and M&A Activity
  Nathan Stovall, Director of Financial Institutions Research, S&P Global Market Intelligence
  Hear the outlook for the operating environment for U.S. banks and how competition, including from nonbanks such as private credit firms and fintechs, will impact bank profitability. This session focuses on drivers of deposit costs and loan growth, while also identifying early warnings for potential credit deterioration. Attendees also hear how changes in the fundamental and regulatory environment are impacting bank valuations, capital raising and M&A activity.

  Breakout 4: Rethinking CDs: Making What’s Old New Again in a Modern Marketplace
  John Blizzard, Founder, CD Valet
  Higher interest rates prompted many banks to dust off their Certificate of Deposit (CD) product line. Smart move, given the growing market of savers eager to compare and open CDs at banks, near and far. Learn how banks are designing, pricing and marketing CDs to appeal to event savers, sleepy savers and savvy savers – and growing their customer base.

  Breakout 5: The Evolution of Embedded Finance
  Speaker to be Announced, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, A Stifel Company
  

  2:25 PM – 3:05 PM
  FinXTech Session: The Advantages of Acquiring a Fintech
  Kathleen Connellan, SVP, Bank Sales, BHG Financial
  Speaker to be Announced, Stinson LLP
  Additional Speaker to be Announced
  Moderated by: Emily McCormick, Vice President, Editorial & Research, Bank Director
  A bank acquiring a fintech offers transformative advantages, delivering innovation and agility. This synergy can enhance digital capabilities, streamline operations and provide customer solutions. By leveraging fintech’s cutting-edge products, banks gain a competitive edge, driving growth and strengthening their market position in our rapidly evolving industry.

  3:05 PM – 3:25 PM
  Refreshment Break
  Sponsored by:  Ludwig Advisors
  

  3:25 PM – 4:05 PM
  FinXTech Session: A New Era of Digital Currency
  Chris Dean, CEO & Co-Founder, Treasury Prime
  Speaker to be Announced, Visa USA Inc
  Additional Speaker to be Announced
  Moderated by: Naomi Snyder, Editor-in-Chief, Bank Director
  The new administration suggests a more favorable regulatory environment for digital currency. What does the future hold, and how can your bank best prepare for what lies ahead regarding digital assets? The session dives into the need-to-knows and how to rethink crypto-related offerings.

  3:25 PM – 4:05 PM
  Breakout Sessions (select one)
  Conversations continue with a second round of afternoon breakout sessions — participants select one of six concurrent opportunities to learn.  Sessions to be announced.

  Breakout 1: The Strategic and Competitive Advantage of AI: What Community Bankers Should Know
  Canh Tran, CEO & Co-Founder, Rippleshot
  Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Generative AI are reshaping financial services today. Whether you’re exploring AI’s potential or advancing current initiatives, this session provides strategic insights to navigate this transformation confidently. Discover the latest AI trends impacting banking, from operational efficiency to enhanced customer experiences. Attendees learn about real-world implementation examples, understand key opportunities and risks and learn a practical framework for evaluating AI solutions.

  Breakout 2: The Regulatory Pendulum – What it Means for Banks
  Christopher Wolfe, Managing Director, Head of North American Banks, Fitch Ratings, Inc.
  The regulatory pendulum is in full swing, and understanding this new paradigm is critical. In many respects, so far, it has been a return to the status quo ante. Regulatory relief may go further this time and could have implications for banks of all sizes. The session breaks down key areas of regulatory focus and what this means for banks, with a reminder that the pendulum can swing back the other way.

  Breakout 3:  Ahead of the Curve: Why High-Performing Hedging Programs Excel as Others Falter
  Frank Fiorilli, Managing Director of Bank Solutions, Derivative Path, Inc.
  Isaac Wheeler, Managing Director of Balance Sheet Strategy, Derivative Path, Inc.
  The majority of banks over $1B in assets now have a derivatives capability – but having the tool in the toolkit is no longer enough. This session unpacks what the best hedging programs get right and what pitfalls to avoid as we navigate a persistently volatile interest rate environment.

  4:20 PM – 5:00 PM
  Succession Planning: Building the Next Generation of Talent
  Kelley Earnhardt Miller, Chair of the Board, blueharbor bank
  Andrea Short, President & CEO, 1st Source Bank
  Krista Snelling, President & CEO, West Coast Community Bank
  Additional Speaker to be Announced
  Moderated by: Michelle King, CEO, Bank Director
  We recognize that developing the next generation of talent is crucial for any business’s success, and this is particularly true for our industry. By investing in training and development, banks can cultivate innovative leaders. Emphasizing diversity and creative thinking ensures adaptability in a changing market. Hear advice from industry leaders as we explore new ideas to build your bank’s future team.

  5:00 PM – 5:40 PM
  Risks & Strategic Challenges for 2026
  Craig Sanders, Principal, Baker Tilly
  Joe VanFleet, Member & Chair Financial Institutions Practice, Howard & Howard
  Additional Speaker to be Announced
  Moderated by: Sal Inserra, Senior Advisor, Bank Director
  Fighting fraud, protecting the bank from cyberattacks, regulatory challenges, compliance and liquidity risks were all top concerns facing financial institutions, according to the respondents of Bank Director’s 2025 Risk Survey. During this session, hear from industry leaders as they share how financial institutions can combat and plan for these challenges on the road ahead.

  5:40 PM – 6:40 PM
  Networking Peer & Guest Reception
  Sponsored by:  Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
  

• Day Three | Tuesday February 3

  7:00 AM – 8:00 AM
  Breakfast

  8:00 AM – 8:10 AM
  Day Three Opening Remarks
  Michelle King,CEO, Bank Director
  Laura Schield, President & COO, Bank Director
  Today, we focus on perspectives that have not already been shared on the first two days of the conference – and we look into forces outside of our industry that may have profound implications.

  8:10 AM – 8:40 AM
  Strategically Reallocating Capital
  Speaker to be Announced, Raymond James Financial, Inc.
  Jerry Plush, CEO & Chair of the Board, Amerant Bank
  Brennan Ryan, Partner, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP
  Moderated by: Bill Herrell, Executive Vice President & Managing Director, Bank Director
  Private equity’s revolving activity enables banks to unlock value through investment cycles. These cycles can generate returns by strategically reallocating capital, which can enhance bank portfolios. In a volatile market, private equity remains a dynamic tool, offering substantial opportunities for financial institutions to thrive. This session explores these opportunities.

  8:40 AM – 9:10 AM
  Emerging Payment Trends
  Speaker to be Announced, SRM
  Additional Speakers to be Announced
  Moderated by: Naomi Snyder, Editor-in-Chief, Bank Director
  Banks have a variety of options when it comes to payments.  Hear from experts in the space on what is available to you and your financial institution.

  9:10 AM – 9:40 AM
  Ask Me Anything!
  Jacque Kruppa, Partner, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP
  Mac Thompson, President & Founder, White Clay
  Dory Wiley, President & CEO, Commerce Street Capital, LLC
  Moderated by: Michelle King, CEO, Bank Director
  See what’s top of mind for attendees at this year’s Acquire or Be Acquired Conference! During this interactive live polling session, attendees can ask our panel of industry experts questions based on what they’ve learned over the past two days. Join this session for a lively discussion on the issues, opportunities and challenges facing banks today!

  9:40 AM – 10:00 AM
  Refreshment Break

  10:00 AM – 10:40 AM
  Breakout Sessions (select one)
  Conversations conclude with a final round of breakout sessions — participants select one of six concurrent opportunities to learn.

  Breakout 2:  Digital Transformation Gut Check – What It Really Takes to Succeed
  Alec Dicks, Partner, Chief People Transformationist, Alacrity Partners
  Steve Monahan, Partner, Chief Enterprise Transformationist, Alacrity Partners
  Most banks are investing heavily in transformation to compete in the digital era, but are they set up for success? With 70% of transformations estimated to fail (McKinsey), this session offers a practical framework to assess whether your efforts are on track, at risk or need rethinking.

  Breakout 2: Executive-Driven Growth: Turn Marketing Insight into Action
  Ben Udell, SVP Product Marketing & Innovation, Marquis
  Executives don’t need more marketing; they need marketing that’s measurable, accountable and tied to growth. This session explores how leaders are turning marketing data into actionable insight that delivers ROI, drives alignment and powers growth across the organization. Learn how your peers are transforming marketing into a modern, bank–wide growth engine powered by strategic clarity, metrics and executive leadership.

  Breakout 3: Intro to Bitcoin for Banking Leaders
  Andrew Begin, Chief Strategy Officer, Galoy Inc.
  Bitcoin’s steady rise in global adoption is changing the way people store and move money. As regulations catch up, banking decision makers have a unique opportunity to take advantage of the changing financial landscape. In this session, learn the fundamentals of Bitcoin and discover how forward-looking banks are using it to increase deposits and margins, generate new revenue streams and meet the expectations of tomorrow’s customers.

  Breakout 4:  Safely Leveraging AI to Enhance Efficiency and Compliance as the Foundation to Strategic Growth
  Amy Ferguson, Communications Manager, TruStage Compliance Solutions
  Erin Simpson, EVP, Chief Operations Officer, Encore Bank
  Join TruStage Compliance Solutions and Encore Bank in a candid discussion on how they are using AI to enhance compliance accuracy and operational efficiency. This session highlights how AI can scale reviews, reduce manual burden and support regulatory adherence without compromising human oversight or service quality.

  Breakout 5: Mastering the Margin: High-Impact Strategies for Sustainable Profitability
  Mark Swanson, Sales Executive, Deluxe Corporation
  Set sail from the shores of low Net Interest Margin (NIM) and chart a course toward profitability. Leverage strategic tools like disciplined loan pricing, cost-effective deposit strategies and a performance-driven culture to elevate your NIM. Discover how to take command of your financial journey and navigate confidently to the far side of the margin.

  10:55 AM – 11:25 AM
  Economist & Regulatory Debate: Bull vs. Bear
  Speakers to be Announced
  Moderated by: Rob Blackwell, Chief Content Officer & Head of External Affairs, IntraFi
  Hear differing perspectives on what is happening with the economy and what regulatory changes are coming this year.

  11:25 AM – 11:30 AM
  Parting Thoughts
  Michelle King, CEO, Bank Director
  Laura Schield, President & COO, Bank Director

  1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
  L. William Seidman Annual Acquire or Be Acquired Golf Tournament
  Sponsored by:  FHLBank Atlanta
  Enjoy the afternoon playing golf with your peers during Bank Director’s annual L. William Seidman Golf Tournament. The tournament is available to registered conference attendees and is limited to 144 players. Availability is on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note: Additional registration is required and additional fees apply. Be sure to reserve your spot today!

  1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
  Let’s Play Pickleball!
  Sponsored by:  KlariVis
  Whether you have never played before or you are a seasoned player, this activity is for you. All participants are grouped by experience level for a tournament, and those who are new to the sport enjoy a Beginners Clinic. This afternoon’s activity is available to registered attendees and is limited to 136 players. Availability is on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note: Additional registration is required and fees apply. Be sure to reserve your spot today!

  5:45 PM – 7:00 PM
  Closing Peer & Guest Reception
  Sponsored by:  FHLBank Atlanta and KlariVis
  Attendees and their guests join in the fun to see who the winners of the L. William Seidman Golf Tournament and the Pickleball Tournament are!

Award-winning AAA 4-Diamond JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa welcomes guests to its beautiful 316 acres in the Sonoran Desert. This luxury resort will take you to a place where luxury, personal services, invigorating recreation and excellent dining are abundant. This premier resort also impresses with the award-winning Revive Spa and championship Wildfire Golf Club, home to the LPGA Founders Cup. Relax and enjoy the company of friends and family indoors or outside on one of many patios with inviting fire pits overlooking the resort’s waterways. Among the leading North Phoenix resorts and resorts near TPC Scottsdale, the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa is your one-stop vacation haven.

This acclaimed Phoenix, Arizona property features:

• A Poolside Bar
• Tennis Courts
• Championship Wildfire Golf Club
• Award-winning Revive Spa
• A full-service Salon and Fitness Center

Discounted Hotel Rate
The room block at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge is currently sold out. However, rooms may become available closer to the time of the event. If you are a registered banker attendee and want to be added to the hotel waitlist, please email events@bankdirector.com or call our events department at 877-397-7595.

Below is a list of nearby properties to the host venue with availability:

Cambria Hotel – Phoenix
4425 East Irma Lane
Phoenix, AZ 85054
1.1 miles away
480-585-6644

Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
7575 East Princess Drive
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
3.9 miles away
480-585-4848

Holiday Inn Express and Suites Phoenix North – Scottsdale
4575 East Irma Lane
Phoenix, AZ 85054
1.1 miles away
877-570-9579

SpringHill Suites Scottsdale North
17020 North Scottsdale Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
3.7 miles away
480-922-8700

For more information, please email events@bankdirector.com or call our events department at 877-397-7595.

• Who should attend the Acquire or Be Acquired Conference?

  With over 1,900 industry leaders joining us in 2025, this annual event is created specifically for those executives leading U.S. financial institutions, specifically Chief Executive Officers, Chair of the Board, Board Members, Presidents, Chief Operating Officers, Chief Financial Officers, Chief Risk Officers, Chief Compliance Officers, Chief Technology Officers, Chief Marketing Officers, Heads of Retail, Heads of Lending, Heads of Strategy and Senior Management of financial institutions.

• Why should I attend the Acquire or Be Acquired Conference?

  Since 1995, Bank Director’s Acquire or Be Acquired Conference has been widely regarded as the financial industry’s premier bank growth and strategy event. Beyond M&A, bank executives, members of the board and financial leaders have attended the Acquire or Be Acquired Conference for more than 30 years to get advice from knowledgeable advisors through no-nonsense interactive sessions that help them explore various growth options. This conference addresses the most critical and timely issues facing banks year after year.

• How much does the in person conference cost, and what does this fee cover?

  The standard individual registration rate for bankers is $2,795. This fee includes all conference activities, materials, meals and beverages at the event site. This price does not include travel or hotel accommodations.

• Where can I register for the Acquire or Be Acquired Conference?

  You may register online or call our events department at 877-397-7595.

• Who is eligible to book a room within the hotel room block?

  Only registered attendees of the 2026 Acquire or Be Acquired Conference are eligible to book a room within the hotel room block. Audits will be conducted throughout the year, and any hotel reservations made by non-registered individuals will be removed from the block.

• What is the minimum stay requirement?

  The hotel room block is currently sold out. However, should rooms become available, a minimum stay of three (3) nights is required to book a room within the event block (check-in January 31, 2026, and check-out February 3, 2026).

• How do I book my hotel reservation?

  The hotel room block is currently sold out. However, rooms may become available closer to the time of the event. If you are a registered attendee and want to be added to the hotel waitlist, please email events@bankdirector.com or call our events department at 877-397-7595.

• Is a deposit required to book my hotel reservation?

  Yes. A deposit equal to three (3) nights’ room charges will be charged to the card on file at the time of booking rooms in the hotel room block. This charge will appear within approximately one (1) week of making the reservation.

• What is the hotel cancellation and refund policies?
  • The last day to cancel with a refund is January 9, 2026.
  • After January 9, 2026, the three (3) night stay is non-refundable, regardless of the reason for cancellation.
  • Late arrivals, no-shows and early departures will be charged for the full three (3) nights’ stay with no exceptions. If you anticipate arriving late, please notify the hotel in advance to ensure your reservation is held.
• What if I anticipate checking in late to the hotel the day of my reservation?

  If you expect to arrive late, please notify the hotel in advance to ensure your reservation is held.

• What happens if there are unregistered people who want a room at the hotel?

  Only registered attendees are permitted to book hotel rooms in the event room block. We will conduct hotel audits throughout the year, and if you are not a registered attendee, your hotel reservation will be released.

• What if I need to cancel my in-person reservation at the conference?

  Due to commitments and expenses, all cancellations after December 5, 2025, will be subject to a $500 processing fee. We regret that no refunds will be given after January 9, 2026; however, substitute participants are welcome. DirectorCorps, Inc. assumes no liability for any nonrefundable travel, hotel or related expenses incurred by registrants. For more information regarding refunds, to register, concerns and/or program cancellation policies, please email events@bankdirector.com or call our events department at 877-397-7595.

• Is there a guest program?

  Yes. The guest rate of $595 covers Sunday lunch and all receptions at the JW Marriott. If a guest would like to attend the sessions, please register them as attendees. All guests must have a name badge to be admitted to these events. A guest is a spouse, significant other or friend who is not in a financial services occupation. A co-worker (even a spouse co-worker) or an associate within the financial services industry is not considered a guest and should register as an attendee.

  The guest program fee does not include participation in Tuesday’s golf or pickleball tournaments. Guests interested in playing with attendees in the golf and pickleball tournaments can sign up based on space availability. The additional fee for guests to play golf is $200, and the additional fee for guests to play pickleball is $50. Both include lunch; however, it does not include rental clubs or other expenses.

• As a non-banker (sponsor and/or vendor) attendee, are there any guidelines to follow?

  Below are a list of guidelines for non-banker attendees:

  • Pass-sharing is not allowed.
  • Non-registered employees will not be allowed on hotel property for meetings, promotions or any other reason without prior permission from Bank Director.
  • Business casual attire is the dress code for the conference.
  • When promoting the event, any reference to the conference should be “Bank Director’s Acquire or Be Acquired • Conference” or “Bank Director’s AOBA Conference.”
  • All attendees agree not to host or promote events occurring during conference hours.
• How can I sign up for the golf tournament on Tuesday, February 3?

  The golf tournament fee is $200 for all registered conference attendees. Pre-registration is required for participation. We can accept a max of 144 players on a first-come, first-served basis. Rental clubs and shoes are available to participants at their expense through the Wildfire Golf Club. The cost is $100 plus tax for rental clubs and rental shoes cost $35 plus tax. Please indicate your club and shoe needs when registering for the conference online. Registration for the golf tournament is included in the event registration form. Simply select that you would like to attend the tournament and the fee will be added at checkout.

• Is CPE credit available for this conference?

  DirectorCorps, Inc., the parent company of Bank Director, is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website:www.nasbaregistry.org. Visit their information page for CPE learning objectives, program levels, prerequisites, recommended credits and complaint resolutions.

  All of Bank Director’s education programs are classified as “Basic” program level with no pre-requisites or advance preparation required for participation in these events. All events fall under “Group-Live” delivery method. At the event, attendees will be required to keep a time sheet, and attendance at sessions will be monitored in order for attendees to receive the appropriate number of credits and a certificate of completion following the event. Please contact Bank Director at events@bankdirector.com for more information regarding this program and on the number of credits awarded for this event.

• What is the policy for audio & video recordings at the conference?

  Audio and/or video recordings of the presentations made at this conference are expressly forbidden unless advance written consent has been obtained from both Bank Director and the presenter(s) to be recorded. Bank Director may conduct audio and/or video recordings during a session. Bank Director owns the rights to all such recordings.

• What is your suitcasing policy?

  Suitcasing is the act of soliciting business by non-exhibiting companies during the event or in other public spaces, including another company’s booth, exhibit hall or hotel lobby. It is Bank Director’s objective to do everything possible to protect its exhibitors and bank attendees from suitcasing.

  For more information, please email events@bankdirector.com or call our events department at 877-397-7595.