BankTalk 2026: Who Is It For & What Can You Expect?Inside Saltmarsh's Premier Community Banking Forum

6/18/2026 - By Celia Nofsinger

Community banks continue to navigate a rapidly evolving landscape shaped by emerging technologies, heightened regulatory expectations, fraud risks, economic uncertainty, and increasing pressure to remain competitive. Today's banking leaders need more than high-level discussions; they need practical strategies they can implement immediately, and this August, Saltmarsh welcomes banking professionals from across the country to BankTalk 2026 – where those strategies come to life.

What Is BankTalk? A Premier Community Banking Forum

BankTalk is one of the industry's most trusted forums for banking education, networking, and professional development — and its unique "funnel" format keeps it that way, offering concentrated learning tracks that let participants dive deep into the areas that matter most.

What makes BankTalk different:

  • Focused Learning: Two days of intensive "funnels" instead of scattered sessions.
  • Practical Content: Implementation-ready insights, not theoretical discussions.
  • Free to Bankers: No registration fees for banking professionals to attend.

This year's event will be held August 17 & 18, 2026, at Raymond James in St. Petersburg, Florida. The agenda is structured around three key learning tracks: Technology, Compliance, and Executive Leadership, along with three interactive workshops focused on today's most pressing banking challenges. 

Who Should Attend BankTalk?

BankTalk draws community and regional banking professionals from across the country. The event is specifically designed for banking professionals across all functional areas who are grappling with technology transformation and compliance complexity, and strategic leadership.

Ideal attendees include:

  • Executive Leadership: CEOs, CFOs, CIOs, Presidents, and Executive VPs seeking strategic technology and compliance perspectives.
  • Risk & Compliance Professionals: BSA/compliance officers, risk officers, and analysts navigating regulatory changes.
  • Financial & Operations Management: Controllers focused on operational efficiency and compliance costs.
  • Department Leaders: Managers and team leads involved in strategy and marketing, lending, IT, and deposit operations.

Whether you lead the entire institution or manage a specific business unit, BankTalk's cross-functional approach ensures there's valuable content tailored to your role and responsibilities.

"I always get great value out of a Saltmarsh event. They bring relevant and impactful information to everyone's attention with speakers who keep your attention and put it in a perspective that you can relate to." — Joanne, First Community Bank of Tennessee

"The topics covered are timely and relevant to the challenges and work we are facing in banking today. The speakers are all industry experts!" — Natasha, Pendleton Community Bank

Why BankTalk 2026 Deserves a Spot on Your Calendar

This year's agenda focuses on three areas where community banks continue to face significant challenges and opportunities: technology transformation, regulatory compliance, and executive leadership.

Technology Funnel – Managing Innovation & Emerging Risk

The pace of innovation and increased cyber risk has never been faster. These sessions on the morning of Monday, August 17, dive into the critical IT and cybersecurity strategies community banks need to stay secure and competitive. Learn about emerging threats, risk mitigation, and long-term digital relevance as a strategic advantage. Featured sessions include:

  • Stablecoins: A Bank Executive's Roadmap with Becky Reed (COO @ BankSocial)
  • Embedded Finance Through a Bank Risk Lens 
  • Know Your Data: Classification as the Foundation with Stephen Reyes, CISA, CISSP & Jason Keith, CIA, CISA (Partners @ Saltmarsh)

Compliance Funnel – Strengthening Programs in a Changing Environment

A strong compliance foundation is essential for navigating today’s regulatory environment. These sessions on the afternoon of Monday, August 17, tackle priority regulatory topics and concerns. Hear from compliance experts, learn how your peers are adapting, and walk away with practical insights to strengthen your compliance program. Featured sessions include:

  • Insider Fraud with Mike Benardo (Former Associate Director, Division of Risk Management Supervision @ FDIC)
  • Trimming Your Compliance Program in an Era of Deregulation: What Bank Boards Can't Cut with Stephanie Lyon, Esq., CRCM, CERP, NCCO, NCRM, NCBSO, CAMS (Vice President of Regulatory Content Strategy & Compliance @ Ncontracts)
  • Lessons Learned From a Lifetime in Industry with Kristen Stogniew, Esq., CFE (Partner @ Saltmarsh)

Executive Funnel – Strategic Leadership for Community Banks

Strategic leadership demands clarity in a rapidly shifting landscape. These sessions on day 2 of BankTalk deliver a forward-looking outlook on the trends shaping community banking — including economic conditions, commercial real estate, M&A, fintech, and key accounting updates — equipping leaders with insight to navigate today’s challenges and make confident decisions. Featured sessions include:

  • Economic Update: Commercial Real Estate Focus with Brian Bailey, CRE, CCIM (Global Head of Research @ Trimont)
  • Economic Update: M&A Focus with Brian Nestor (Managing Director, Investment Banking @ Raymond James)

Interactive Workshops – Implementation Ready

Closing out BankTalk is a series of concurring workshops led by Saltmarsh specialists; these focused discussions will cover key areas including BSA, compliance, fair lending, CRA, accounting, and CECL—providing practical insights, updates, and strategies you can apply within your institution.

Ready to Join Us?

BankTalk 2026 offers banking professionals an opportunity to gain practical insights, earn CE/CPE credits, connect with peers, and hear directly from experts addressing the challenges shaping community banking today. From technology innovation and cybersecurity to compliance, governance, and economic trends, attendees will leave with actionable ideas they can bring back to their institutions immediately.

Registration is free for banking professionals, but capacity is limited. Secure your spot today and join us August 17–18 in St. Petersburg, Florida, for two days of focused learning, meaningful networking, and industry-leading expertise.

 

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