Last week I attended and spoke at the American Bankers Association (ABA) Annual Convention in Charlotte. This year’s gathering brought together thousands of bank executives, bank directors, senior management, regulators, and innovators to tackle the pressing challenges and opportunities shaping our industry. With themes centered on resilience, technological advancement, and regulatory adaptation, the event served as a critical forum for discussing how banks, particularly community and regional institutions, can thrive in an era of rapid change.

A Hub for Strategic Dialogue

The ABA Annual Convention remains the premier venue for bankers to converge on issues like fraud prevention, payments modernization, and sustainable growth. Held at the Charlotte Convention Center, the program featured high-profile general sessions, networking events, and concurrent knowledge sessions. The event kicked off on Sunday with afternoon Innovation Forum offering insights on AI policies and implementation strategies, keynoted by futurist Zack Kass, former GTM of OpenAI.

Monday started with a welcome from North Carolina Governor Josh Stein and then a discussion with Rob Nichols, President & CEO of the ABA  and Comptroller of the Currency Jonathan Gould on the current policy priorities. Throughout the next two days the sessions explored innovation, payments, open banking, stablecoin and host of current topics facing the industry.

The vibrant atmosphere fostered meaningful connections, reinforcing the collaborative spirit essential for banking’s evolution. For firms like CCG Catalyst, events like this validate our focus on bridging traditional banking with fintech innovation through initiatives like the Bankers Fintech Council. It was also great to catch up with old friends in the industry, exchanging stories and ideas that strengthened long-standing professional relationships. As an attendee, I prioritized sessions aligned with CCG Catalyst’s expertise in technology and strategic advisory.

Driving the Conversation on Innovation

Serving as a panelist in the Tuesday session, “Innovate or stagnate: Building a culture and strategy for a bank’s success,” I joined Suhas Reddy from Pathward and moderator Ryan Jackson of ABA to discuss fostering innovation for banks to stay competitive. We discussed key indicators of a bank’s readiness for innovation, such as agile mindsets and tech integration, versus red flags like resistance to change. Suhas shared Pathward’s cultural shifts toward fostering creativity. We delved into follow-ups on balancing legacy systems with forward-thinking approaches, emphasizing gradual modernization to avoid disruption. Suhas detailed a specific agile product development initiative that yielded results at Pathward. I advised on linking innovation to ROI via clear benchmarks. We covered pitfalls in measurement, such as over-relying on vanity metrics instead of sustainable value.

Charting a Path Forward

The ABA Annual Convention this year reaffirmed that innovation isn’t a luxury, it is a necessity for banks facing evolving regulations, cyber threats, and customer demands. From payments hubs to cultural shifts, the discussions mirrored CCG Catalyst’s mission to empower institutions through research, advisory, and collaboration.

As we look to 2026, I urge bankers to assess their innovation readiness and embrace partnerships. If you’re navigating these waters, reach out to me for tailored guidance. Let’s build a resilient, innovative banking future together.