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2026 IBAT EDGE

May 5–6 | Waco Convention Center

An event designed to meet the educational needs of community bankers in Texas and beyond.

EDGE is designed to meet the evolving educational needs of community bankers at every level, combining skill development and leadership growth around the issues that matter most to community banks. Hosted by the IBAT Education Foundation, EDGE is a two-day, high-impact experience built specifically for community banks in Texas and beyond.

Attendees can move freely across six focused educational tracks, choosing the sessions that matter most to their role, priorities and challenges: Compliance; Credit, Lending and Risk Management; Operations; Marketing; Leadership and Strategy; and Human Resources.

Each breakout goes beyond surface-level discussion to address the real challenges community banks face every day. From regulatory change and operational pressures to deposit strategy, loan growth and leadership development, EDGE focuses on what works, what’s changing and what your bank needs to know now.

A quick snapshot of what you can expect at EDGE.

2

Days

High-impact learning and networking

50

Sessions

Expert insights from industry leaders

6

Educational Tracks

Choose your own learning path

12+

CPE Credits

Available with full attendance

2026 Keynote Speaker

Anne Grady

Speaker, Author, Entrepreneur

Resilience Reset

Anne Grady is a best-selling author, entrepreneur and leading expert on building resilient leaders, teams and organizations. For more than 20 years, she has helped some of the world’s top organizations, including Microsoft, Dell Technologies, Lockheed Martin, Johnson & Johnson, ADP and Google, develop the mindset and skills needed to thrive through change and challenge. A two-time TEDx speaker with a master’s degree in organizational communication, Anne is also a regular contributor to publications such as Harvard Business Review, Entrepreneur, Fast Company and Forbes.

Drawing from both cutting-edge research and her own personal experiences overcoming adversity, she blends neuroscience, psychology and powerful storytelling with wit and authenticity, delivering practical strategies audiences can immediately apply to improve relationships, increase productivity and reduce stress.

View Full Bio

Leadership Panel

William Chittenden

SWGSB - SMU

Brian Bowers

The Bank & Trust, SSB

Zach Gilbert

Texas Bank and Trust

Sarah Long

First National Bank of Ballinger

This high-impact leadership panel brings together three exceptional bankers — Brian Bowers, Zach Gilbert and Sarah Long — alongside renowned economist Dr. William Chittenden for a dynamic conversation on what leadership truly demands in today’s rapidly evolving financial landscape.

From navigating economic uncertainty and regulatory complexity to driving innovation and strengthening culture, this session will explore the mindset and competencies leaders must cultivate to thrive in times of change. Expect thoughtful dialogue, practical takeaways and forward-looking perspective you can immediately apply within your institution.

Breakout Session Tracks

EDGE includes educational breakout tracks focused on six distinct topic areas. Attendees may choose a single track to follow for the entire event or jump from track to track to create the learning experience that best supports their career growth.

Compliance

Sessions focus on mitigating risk and managing compliance efficiently. Topics include:

The Future of Financial Crime: Challenges and Opportunities in Prevention, Compliance and Investigations
Risk Assessment: How Do We Focus on Specific Risk When it Exists in Everything That We Do?
AML/CFT Update
Stablecoin Demystified for the Banking Industry
Digital Assets POV
Reg E: Disputes and What Everyone is Talking About
Panel: What’s Keeping You Up at Night?
Strengthening Vendor and Compliance Management: Key Considerations for BaaS Sponsor Banks and Fintech Partnerships

Credit, Lending and Risk Management

Best practices in finance, lending insights and opportunities for strategic growth. Topics include:

Enterprise Risk Management Doesn’t Have to be Complicated… or Expensive!
Unlocking the Potential: AI in Banking
Shield Your Assets: Expert Guide to Incident Response for Banks
Compliance for Lenders: Jeopardy Style!
Fair Lending: Staying Out of the Hot Seat
Texas Home Equity Lending: Frequently Asked Questions
Transforming Community Bank Credit Workflows with Integrated Data and Automation
From Chaos to Control: Modernizing Dispute Management in Community Banking

Human Resources

People-forward sessions to strengthen culture, engagement and performance. Topics include:

One Culture, Many Locations: Turning Values into Daily Behaviors
People Strategy is Bank Strategy
Merging Internal Cultures Following a Bank Merger or Restructure
Mentorship Panel Discussion
The Multi-Generational Advantage: Bridging Generational Gaps
HR Panel
EvolvAbility: Growing Forward When Life Goes Sideways
How to Give and Receive Feedback

Leadership and Strategy

Sharpen leadership skills and deploy smarter strategies for growth. Topics include:

Continuing the Conversation: The New Playbook for Banking Leadership
Economic Update
Communicating Through Chaos: Maximizing Retention in Core Tech Transitions
Lifecycle of a Strategic Initiative: Challenges & Keys to Success
Aligning Culture Between Lending and Retail
Playing from the Tips: How Protecting Your NIM Helps You Protect Your Handicap
Basics of Bank Strategic Planning Within the Bank: Internal Staff Training
Bank Strategy Panel

Marketing

Modern marketing strategies that drive engagement and measurable growth. Topics include:

Marketing in a Changing Economy: How to Stay Visible and Profitable
Foundational Digital Strategy + ROI Accountability
Campaigns that Make the CFO Smile: Turning Marketing into an Investment, Not an Expense
Use Fraud Awareness to Drive Engagement and Business Growth
Facilitated Marketing Roundtable: What’s Working, What’s Not and What’s Next
Your Bank's UBPR: The Most Underutilized Marketing Tool You Already Have
Micro Personalization in Marketing Messaging: The New (Old) Frontier
ET Transactional

Operations

Practical, back-office improvements to strengthen efficiency and execution. Topics include:

The AI Opportunity for Community Banking
Panel: Treasury Management Hot Buttons
From Data Chaos to AI Excellence: A Practical Roadmap for Financial Institution Transformation
Navigating and Managing Third-Party Contracts
AI Agents: The Best Interns Ever!
Automation AI: Leveraging Generative AI & Automation for Operational Efficiency
Payment Rails & Fraud Tales

Who Should Attend and Pricing

This event was designed with your team in mind. It is intended to be a one-stop shop for live education and networking for a diverse group of bank officers and emerging leaders.

Registration Fees

IBAT Member: $995
Non-Member and Non-Associate Member: $1,595

If your bank or company is registering more than four employees, please contact Mandy Robinson ([email protected]) for discount options.

Secure Your Spot

Agenda

Monday, May 4

3:00 – 5:00 p.m.

AM Banker Networking with Refreshments

5:00 p.m.

Dinner on Your Own

Tuesday, May 5

7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Exhibit Encounters

7:30 – 8:15 a.m.

Breakfast

8:15 – 9:30 a.m.

Opening General Session + Leadership Panel

9:30 – 10:00 a.m.

Refreshment Break

10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Concurrent Tracks:

Compliance - The Future of Financial Crime: Challenges and Opportunities in Prevention, Compliance and Investigations
Credit, Lending and Risk Management - Enterprise Risk Management Doesn’t Have to be Complicated… or Expensive!
Human Resources - One Culture, Many Locations: Turning Values into Daily Behaviors
Leadership and Strategy - Continuing the Conversation: The New Playbook for Banking Leadership
Marketing - Marketing in a Changing Economy: How to Stay Visible and Profitable
Operations - From Data Chaos to AI Excellence: A Practical Roadmap for Financial Institution Transformation

11:00 – 11:15 a.m.

Refreshment Break

11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Concurrent Tracks:

Compliance - Risk Assessment: How Do We Focus on Specific Risk When it Exists in Everything That We Do?
Credit, Lending and Risk Management - Unlocking the Potential: AI in Banking
Human Resources - People Strategy is Bank Strategy
Leadership and Strategy - Economic Update: Laser Focus During Extreme Economic Uncertainty... Anticipate, Don’t Predict!
Marketing - Foundational Digital Strategy + ROI Accountability
Operations - Treasury Management Hot Buttons

12:15 – 1:30 p.m.

Lunch with Exhibitors

1:30 – 2:30 p.m.

Concurrent Tracks:

Compliance - Digital Assets Point of View
Credit, Lending and Risk Management - Shield Your Assets: Expert Guide to Incident Response for Banks
Human Resources - Growing Great Bankers: How Mentorship Builds Talent and Strengthens Teams
Leadership and Strategy - Communicating Through Chaos: Maximizing Retention in Core Tech Transitions
Marketing - Campaigns that Make the CFO Smile: Turning Marketing into an Investment, Not an Expense
Operations - The AI Opportunity for Community Banking

2:30 – 2:45 p.m.

Refreshment Break

2:45 – 3:45 p.m.

Concurrent Tracks:

Compliance - Stablecoin Demystified for the Banking Industry
Credit, Lending and Risk Management - Compliance for Lenders: Jeopardy Style!
Human Resources - Merging Internal Cultures Following a Bank Merger or Restructure
Leadership and Strategy - Lifecycle of a Strategic Initiative: Challenges & Keys to Success
Marketing - Use Fraud Awareness to Drive Engagement and Business Growth
Operations - Navigating and Managing Third-Party Contracts

3:45 – 4:00 p.m.

Refreshment Break

4:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Concurrent Tracks:

Compliance - AML/CFT Update
Credit, Lending and Risk Management - Fair Lending: Staying Out of the Hot Seat
Human Resources - The Multi-Generational Advantage: Bridging Generational Gaps
Leadership and Strategy - Aligning Culture Between Lending and Retail
Marketing - ET: The Extra Transactional
Operations - AI Agents: The Best Interns Ever!

6:30 – 9:00 p.m.

Dinner and Entertainment at The Backyard Bar (Transportation Provided)

Wednesday, May 6

7:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Exhibit Encounters

7:30 – 8:15 a.m.

Breakfast

8:30 – 9:30 a.m.

Concurrent Tracks:

Compliance - Reg E: Disputes and What Everyone is Talking About
Credit, Lending and Risk Management - Texas Home Equity Lending: Frequently Asked Questions
Human Resources - Panel: Challenges, Opportunities and Successes
Leadership and Strategy - Playing from the Tips: How Protecting Your NIM Helps You Protect Your Handicap
Marketing - Your Bank's UBPR: The Most Underutilized Marketing Tool You Already Have
Operations - ATM Jackpotting: Know the Methods, Spot the Clues and Prevent the Attack

9:30 – 10:00 a.m.

Refreshment Break

10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Concurrent Tracks:

Compliance - Panel: What's Keeping You Up at Night?
Credit, Lending and Risk Management - Transforming Community Bank Credit Workflows with Integrated Data and Automation
Human Resources - EvolvAbility: Growing Forward When Life Goes Sideways
Leadership and Strategy - Basics of Bank Strategic Planning Within the Bank: Internal Staff Training
Marketing - Micro Personalization in Marketing Messaging: The New (Old) Frontier
Operations - Automation AI: Leveraging Generative AI And Automation for Operational Efficiency

11:00 – 11:15 a.m.

Refreshment Break

11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Concurrent Tracks:

Compliance - Strengthening Vendor and Compliance Management: Key Considerations for BaaS Sponsor Banks and Fintech Partnerships
Credit, Lending and Risk Management - From Chaos to Control: Modernizing Dispute Management in Community Banking
Human Resources - How to Give and Receive Feedback
Leadership and Strategy - Be Prepared: A Strategy Panel Discussion
Marketing - Facilitated Marketing Roundtable: What's Working, What's Not and What's Next
Operations - Payment Rails and Fraud Tales

12:30 – 1:45 p.m.

Closing General Session + Lunch with Keynote Speaker Anne Grady

2:00 p.m.

Event Concludes

2026 IBAT EDGE Sponsors

Exclusive Education Partner

Strategic Sponsor

Diamond Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

CollateralEdge
Glory Global Solutions

IntraFi
SHAZAM

Bronze Sponsors

AccuBranch
Agent IQ
AvTek Solutions Inc.
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP
Data Business Equipment, Inc.
Digital Onboarding, Inc.
Dolphin Debit Access, LLC
eFraud Prevention, LLC

Eide Bailly LLP
ePayResources
Fenimore Kay Harrison LLP
FIntegrate Technology
Genesys Technology Group
HC3
Kristopher James Company

Ncontracts
LemonadeLXP
SBS CyberSecurity, LLC
Strunk LLC
SWGSB-SMU
The Bankers Bank
Whitley Penn LLP