BankTalk 2025: Who Is It For & What Should You Expect?Inside Scoop on Saltmarsh's Premier Community Banking Forum

8/4/2025 - By Nancy Patton

Community banks today face an unprecedented convergence of challenges that demand both strategic foresight and tactical precision. Cybersecurity threats are evolving faster than many institutions can adapt, artificial intelligence is reshaping competitive dynamics, and the regulatory landscape continues to shift. For leaders navigating these complexities, the need for practical guidance and peer collaboration has never been greater.

This September, Saltmarsh celebrates a significant milestone: the 20th anniversary of BankTalk, our flagship community banking event. What began as a regional gathering of banking professionals has evolved into the Southeast's premier forum for addressing the technology and compliance challenges that define modern community banking. BankTalk 2025 represents both a celebration of the resilience that has carried community banks through two decades of change and a strategic planning opportunity for the challenges ahead.

What Is BankTalk? A Premier Community Banking Forum

BankTalk has served as Saltmarsh's signature annual event for two decades, bringing together community and regional banking leaders from across the Southeast for focused, forward-looking conversations about the issues that matter most. 

Unlike traditional banking conferences, BankTalk employs a unique "funnel" format, offering concentrated learning tracks that allow participants to dive deep into specific areas of expertise.

What Makes BankTalk Different:

  • Focused Learning: Two intensive "funnels" instead of scattered sessions
  • Practical Content: Implementation-ready insights, not theoretical discussions
  • Limited Capacity: Small group setting ensures meaningful interactions
  • Free for Bankers: No registration fees for banking professionals

The evolution of BankTalk over 20 years mirrors the transformation of community banking itself. What started as discussions about basic compliance requirements has grown into sophisticated examinations of artificial intelligence implementation, advanced cybersecurity frameworks, and complex regulatory scenarios. Yet the core mission remains unchanged: delivering practical insights that banking professionals can implement immediately.

This year's anniversary celebration begins with a special reception and dinner on Sunday, September 7th, featuring keynote speaker Shawn O'Brien, President of QwickRate, who will share insights on industry trends shaping community banking's future. Monday's programming focuses on two critical areas through dedicated learning funnels: Technology and Compliance.

Who Should Attend BankTalk?

BankTalk draws community and regional banking professionals from across the Southeast, though the challenges addressed resonate with institutions nationwide. The event is specifically designed for banking professionals across all functional areas who are grappling with technology transformation and compliance complexity.

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

What to Expect: Why BankTalk 2025 Deserves a Spot on Your Calendar

This year's programming addresses two areas where community banks face the greatest pressure for both innovation and compliance: technology transformation and regulatory oversight.

Technology Funnel - Addressing Digital Transformation Pressures

Monday, September 8 | 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM

The Technology Funnel tackles the reality that community banks can no longer treat digital transformation as a future consideration—it's a present competitive necessity. The morning sessions provide practical guidance for institutions at various stages of their technology journey. Session highlights:

AI in Action: Practical Ways to Use Copilot & Microsoft 365 Today with Stephen Reyes, CISA, CISSP, Partner at Saltmarsh

  • Hands-on demonstrations of AI integration with existing tools
  • Specific productivity enhancements for banking workflows
  • Implementation strategies that don't require major system overhauls

Long-Term Technological & Digital Relevance for Banks with Kelli Schultz, Principal at Cornerstone Advisors

  • Framework for building a "Smarter Bank" with five key pillars:
    • Nimble operations and decision-making
    • Differentiated service offerings
    • Opportunistic growth tactics
    • Hyper-efficient processes
    • Data-driven mindset
  • Proven innovative growth strategies for competitive advantage

From Static to Strategic: Activating Bank Data for AI Readiness with Erkin Oksel, Founder & CEO of EyesClear

  • Real-world examples of data transformation success
  • Cutting-edge agentic AI technologies for community banks
  • Practical steps you can implement "next Monday"

Compliance Funnel - Navigating Regulatory Complexity

Monday, September 8 | 1:00 PM – 4:45 PM

The Compliance Funnel addresses the evolving regulatory landscape that continues to challenge community banks with new expectations, enforcement actions, and emerging risks. Session highlights:

Insights from the Field: BSA Risk & Regulation Right Now with Kristen Stogniew, Esq., CFE, Partner at Saltmarsh

  • Latest regulatory actions and enforcement trends
  • Emerging fraud schemes impacting community banks
  • How political shifts affect compliance expectations
  • Actionable strategies for strengthening BSA/AML programs

Where Are We Now? A Fair Lending & CRA Road Trip with Lorraine Faust, CRCM, Director of Fair Lending at Saltmarsh

  • Current regulatory landscape mapping
  • Key compliance "speed bumps" and hazards
  • Dashboard view of fair lending and CRA requirements
  • Practical navigation strategies for complex regulations

BankTalk 2025 includes a dedicated networking lunch for peer conversations, CE/CPE credits for professional development, and Sunday's anniversary reception with a keynote presentation—all at no cost to banking professionals. 

Ready to Join Us? Save Your Spot at BankTalk Today

BankTalk 2025 offers community bank leaders a focused opportunity to tackle their most pressing technology and compliance challenges while celebrating two decades of industry resilience. Walk away with practical AI implementation strategies, current regulatory insights, and actionable frameworks for your 2026 strategic planning, all while building valuable connections that extend far beyond the event itself.

Don't miss this milestone 20th anniversary event in Tampa on September 7-8. Register now for free: spaces are limited and filling quickly. Contact Saltmarsh today to learn how our advisory services can support your institution's technology and compliance objectives beyond BankTalk 2025.

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