A Fed easing cycle always brings familiar patterns, and 2026 will be no exception—making this a pivotal moment for CFOs to sharpen their ALCO strategy and stay ahead of shifts in deposits, funding costs, loan demand, pricing, and competition. Frank cuts through the noise to show how a skilled, forward‑looking ALCO can materially lift ROA by managing risk, not avoiding it, and by spotting the liquidity pressures, loan‑growth challenges, and overlooked opportunities others miss. You’ll explore disciplined loan‑pricing strategies, smarter deposit and liquidity management, timely investment ideas, derivative tools that deserve a fresh look, and take away practical, actionable insights to gain an edge as the rate cycle turns and the industry resets.

Mergers and acquisitions can be powerful growth engines for community banks, but only when the financial logic, execution discipline, and post‑close leadership truly hold up. Get a clear, candid look at where M&A creates lasting value through scale, earnings stability, and strategic positioning. and where deals often disappoint due to integration strain, cultural mismatch, or unrealistic financial expectations. You’ll gain a sharper understanding of the capital, credit, operational, and execution risks that shape outcomes, and why strong CFO involvement throughout the deal lifecycle is essential to setting the right assumptions, managing tradeoffs, and driving disciplined decisions.  

Leaders and teams are constantly navigating different personalities, perspectives, and priorities. Yet, 90% of all workplace conflicts stem from misunderstanding. When the majority of employees feel that expressing their true thoughts could put their jobs at risk, it’s no surprise that disengagement, tension, and frustration are at an all-time high. But what if the key to a connected culture wasn’t about eliminating conflict, but transforming it?  Take away not just strategies, but with a new perspective on leadership, performance, and connection. Because at the end of the day, success in business (and in life) isn’t just about working with people you agree with. It’s about learning how to connect with those you don’t. 

Community financial institutions are under pressure to tighten fraud defenses without slowing growth, and this session will give a clear, practical roadmap for doing both. You’ll get a sharp read on today’s fraud landscape, from emerging attack patterns to the operational weak-spots criminals exploit, then dive into proven strategies that strengthen protection while preserving customer experience and profitability. The discussion will highlight how to leverage technology, set meaningful performance benchmarks, and align fraud controls with revenue goals so institutions can manage risk proactively and keep growth and security moving in lockstep.

Markets may be signaling only a shallow easing path, but the second half of 2026 could demand a far deeper rethink of growth, inflation, and rate risk.  Be ready to navigate that turning point with clarity. We’ll break down the crosscurrents shaping the outlook, from limited tariff pass‑through and elevated oil prices to softening labor markets, fading wealth effects, and shifting liquidity conditions. You’ll also explore how fiscal and monetary choices could reshape the yield curve, and where hidden risks may be building across consumers, CRE, private credit, and AI‑driven excess. Leave with a sharp, practical framework for judging whether markets are underpricing future Fed cuts, identifying the macro signposts that matter most, and spotting emerging vulnerabilities before they hit the balance sheet.