59th Annual Community Bank Executive Conference
Venue Location: Casa Marina Key West, Curio Collection by Hilton
1500 Reynolds St, Key West, FL 33040
Wednesday, January 14, 2026 - Friday, January 16, 2026
Program Description: Now in its 59th year, the Annual Community Bank Executive Conference attracts executive and senior management from primarily small to mid-sized community banks and thrift institutions. Attendees hail from Florida to Maine, Ohio to Louisiana, and everywhere in between. The three-day conference kicks off with a Welcome Reception on Wednesday evening and has business sessions on Thursday and Friday. The Community Bank Executive Conference provides informative sessions with leading expert speakers covering today’s most pressing topics and industry trends. Ample time will also be allotted to interact with and network with attendees throughout the event.
Agenda
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14
5:00 - 6:00 PM - Welcome Reception
Grand Ballroom Patio
Evenings are free to plan dinners out in Key West!
THURSDAY, JANUARY 15
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM - Breakfast / Registration
Fiesta/Plantation Ballroom
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Beyond Burnout: Building Executive Teams That Can Go the Distance
Dr. Julie Bell, Chartwell Partners
Burnout isn’t a personal failure it’s a structural one. In fast-growing organizations, CEOs often carry responsibilities their teams aren’t yet equipped to share. In this keynote, Dr. Julie Bell reframes burnout through sustainable high performance and leadership capacity. She highlights warning signs leaders often overlook, cultural patterns that overload executives, and team misalignments that quietly limit growth. Through real case stories, she shows how executive assessment and strategic talent placement can turn a stretched leadership team into a scalable one. Participants will learn to spot hidden gaps, elevate internal talent, and build an executive bench that supports long-term growth without burning out top leaders.
9:00 AM - 9:45 AM
Community Banks: Well Positioned for 2026
Jim Reber, ICBA Securities
As we start the year, the Fed has reduced overnight rates but is hedging its bets for 2026. One reason is that the economy, and by extension the community banking industry, is doing quite well. However, a wild card is that the FOMC is scheduled to have a significant roster makeover. We will look at some important metrics of industry health and suggest some strategies that should have economic benefits for the industry.
9:45 AM - 10:00 AM - Networking Break
10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
Beyond the Fed Pivot: Credit, Deposits, and the 2026 Outlook
Zain Tariq, S&P Global
Community bank margins expanded as fixed-rate asset repricing more than offset modest increases in funding costs. Despite the Fed’s pivot, deposits remain critical as banks position to fund balance sheet growth. Earnings growth is expected to moderate in 2026 amid higher credit costs, as the lagged effects of tariffs weigh on economic growth, consumer spending, and delinquencies, driving higher reserve builds. M&A activity accelerated in the second half of the year and is expected to continue into 2026, supported by the need for efficiency and a more favorable regulatory environment.
10:45 AM - 11:30 AM
CEO Round Table Discussion
Facilitated by Greyson E.Tuck
11:30 AM - 12:15 PM
Risks and Opportunities of Emerging Technologies surrounding Stablecoins and AI
Jason Ruyle, DCI
Stablecoins and Their Impact on Community Banking
An exploration of how stablecoins are influencing the traditional community banking model, including the associated risks and opportunities. This section also considers the evolving roles of FedNow and Real-Time Payments (RTP) in shaping the future financial landscape.
Artificial Intelligence Deployment: Practical Applications and Misconceptions. A realistic assessment of AI implementation in financial services, distinguishing between hype and actionable strategies. Focus is placed on identifying incremental efficiencies and competitive advantages without requiring full-scale system overhauls.
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM - Networking Reception
FRIDAY, JANUARY 16
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM - Breakfast / Registration
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
AI In Banking: From Disruption to A C-Suite Perspective
Eric Cook - WSI
AI is not just another tech trend it is reshaping how banks operate, compete, and serve customers. In this forward-thinking session, we will cut through the hype and focus on what truly matters to banking executives: how AI drives innovation, efficiency, and risk management while maintaining trust and compliance. Discover how leading banks are using AI to automate transactions, enhance fraud detection, personalize customer experiences, and transform risk assessment.
9:30 AM - 9:45 AM - Networking Break
9:45 AM - 10:30 AM
The 2026 Legislative and Regulatory Outlook: A View from Washington
Paul Merski, ICBA Government Relations
10:30 AM - 10:45 AM - Networking Break
10:45 AM - 11:30 AM
Peer Sourced Round Table Discussions
Omar Hinojosa, Taylor Advisors Asset Liability Management
Expand your network and share your team’s experiences during HUB | Taylor Advisors facilitated roundtable discussions with your industry peers. This is your chance to gain both new perspectives and lessons learned on a variety of topics that affect your bank’s ALCO committee.
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Shareholder Succession Strategies
Greyson E. Tuck, Gerrish Smith Tuck Consultants LLC
Your community bank’s shareholders are not getting any younger. The question is whether your bank is properly preparing today for the significant changes that will result from this aging process. It is essential that your bank understand the importance of shareholder succession planning. This presentation will address all aspects of community bank shareholder succession planning and will provide practical tips and insights into the shareholder succession planning process.
12:30 PM - Meeting Adjourns
Click here to view 2026 program – including agenda, sessions & speakers
