About the Program
The Bridgemark Banking Congress brings together top financial leaders to explore cutting-edge practices and stay current with the evolving landscape of the banking sector in relation to its most pressing challenges, issues, and trends. This year’s focus is on enhancing banking through AI and innovation.
This invitation-only event is catered for 55-60 C-Suite and senior-level executives in areas such as InfoSec, IT, Cyber Security, Risk, and Digital Innovation; it will serve as a beacon for fostering creativity and collaboration in the dynamic realm of finance and banking.
Topics of Discussion
Overcoming Barriers to AI Adoption in the Financial Sector
The financial sector is rapidly evolving, but AI adoption faces hurdles like regulatory concerns, cultural resistance, and implementation challenges. This roundtable will explore key barriers and strategies for overcoming them, from data security to workforce adaptation. Brandy Young will lead a dynamic discussion, sharing insights from her experience in banking operations and digital transformation. Attendees will gain actionable takeaways to navigate AI adoption while ensuring compliance and customer trust.
Revolutionizing Money Movement: Faster, Safer, & More Efficient Transactions
As leaders facing rapidly evolving payment technologies, we need to evaluate how these advances impact our infrastructure decisions and security postures. During this roundtable, we’ll discuss the technical challenges of implementing faster payment systems while maintaining robust security controls and operational efficiency. I’ll be sharing some of our recent implementation experiences and look forward to hearing how others are addressing the integration complexities and compliance requirements in their own organizations.
Embracing Core Banking Innovation: A Step Towards Agility and Efficiency
This session will address the critical components of core banking modernization initiatives, with emphasis on domain-based architecture approaches that enhance institutional agility, customer experience, and operational efficiency. Participants will examine practical strategies for balancing innovation with risk management while transforming legacy systems. The discussion will cover implementation methodologies, governance frameworks for large-scale transformation programs, and techniques for maintaining business continuity throughout the modernization journey.
The Next Chapter of Buy Now Pay Later: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities
This session will delve into the latest trends shaping the Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) landscape. We will explore the evolving regulatory environment and its implications for both providers and consumers. Additionally, the session will analyze how BNPL is influencing consumer behavior and the competitive dynamics between fintechs and traditional banks and credit unions. Finally, we will highlight the role of technological innovations, such as AI and real-time communication, in enhancing the BNPL experience.
From Vision to Value: A Practical Approach to GenAI in Banking
How do you responsibly bring generative AI into a highly regulated environment? This session takes you behind the scenes of one financial institution’s journey, exploring the technical, ethical, and operational challenges—and the practical methods and tools making adoption possible.
Balancing Risk & Efficiency: Outsourcing IT & InfoSec for Product Consolidation
As tech stacks are streamlined and product lines consolidated, outsourcing offers both promise and peril. In this collaborative session, participants will exchange insights on achieving scale while managing exposure.
– How do you measure the success of outsourced IT or InfoSec functions?
– How do you assess which systems or services are candidates for outsourcing?
– What internal changes are needed to support outsourced models?
– What risks are often underestimated?
– How do you maintain agility without compromising security?
Strengthening Data Governance: Retention Policies & Destruction Protocols
With increasing regulatory scrutiny and rising data volumes, managing the information lifecycle has never been more critical. This session highlights practical approaches to enforcing retention policies and implementing defensible destruction protocols during a time of fast-paced technological advancement within a heavily regulated industry.
Invisible Intelligence: The Subtle Presence of AI in Daily Applications
AI is no longer just about large-scale deployments—it’s built into everyday apps your staff already use. We’ll explore how tools like Acrobat and Zoom are evolving with AI and what it means for IT, compliance, and service delivery.
– What AI features have you seen appear in everyday tools, and how are they affecting workflows?
– Are you concerned about data privacy as AI becomes embedded in tools like Zoom or Adobe?
– How are you managing AI features that show up by default in commonly used software?
– What opportunities do these subtle AI tools offer for improving service or efficiency?
– How can mid-size institutions stay strategic as AI quietly spreads across daily tech?
– How is compliance, third-party risk management, and governance being impacted by these tools?
The Digital Playbook: Best Practices for Launching & Scaling Remote Member Services
Explore best practices for rolling out remote service tools like e-sign, ITMs, and video banking. Gain insights to boost efficiency, meet member expectations, and scale with confidence.
– What challenges did you encounter when launching remote service channels, and how did you address them?
– How are you measuring success and member adoption of tools like e-sign, ITMs, and video banking?
– What change management strategies have helped align teams during digital rollouts?
– How do you balance automation with a personalized member experience across digital channels?
89.3% of delegates said this is the best event they’ve attended all year
Advisory Board
Harmony Bank
Canadian Imperial Bank Of Commerce US
First National Bank of Omaha
Potlatch No. 1 Financial Credit Union
Jefferson Bank
Coastal Federal Credit Union
Jovia Financial Credit Union
Frost Bank
Past & Present Speakers
Volunteer State Bank
Comerica Bank
Truist Bank
Kearny Bank
Optus Bank
Jovia Financial Credit Union
First National Bank of Omaha
Potlatch No. 1 Financial Credit Union
Frost Bank
The Schedule
Event Registration
Opening Keynote
Strategy Session/Business Meeting
Afternoon Refreshments and Networking
Strategy Session/Business Meeting/Roundtable Discussions/Workshops
Free Time
Welcome Drinks and Dinner
Networking Breakfast
Morning Keynote/Panel Session
Strategy Session/Business Meeting
Morning Refreshments and Networking
Strategy Session/Business Meeting
Workshop/Roundtable Discussions
Networking Luncheon
Roundtable Discussions/Business Meetings/Workshops
Afternoon Refreshments and Networking
Strategy Session/Business Meeting
Closing Day Keynote
Free Time
Networking Drinks and Dinner
Morning Refreshments and Networking
Workshop/Roundtable Discussions
Brunch
Strategy Session/Business Meeting
Closing Keynote
Our Commitments to You
Maximized Networking Opportunities
A personal, customized itinerary
Exclusive qualified attendance
return on time and objective
Delegate Testimonials
Great conference and networking this weekend. Very well organized. Probably one of the best ones I have attended this year.
I wasn't sure how beneficial this event was going to be. I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of content and the breadth of participation from peers across my industry.
Overall it was a good experience. Good venue. Great staff members from Bridgemark. They were very accessible and ready to help when needed. Special thanks to Brenda for her help and support.
This industry-specific conference checked all the boxes. Specifically, I enjoyed the presentations by practitioners at financial institutions. This a must-attend conference for banking tech or infosec leaders.
