CFO Conference & Ethics Session
August 19 – August 21
Hotel Roanoke
110 Shenandoah Avenue NE
Roanoke, VA 24016
The 2026 CFO Conference & Ethics Session is the premier gathering designed exclusively for Chief Financial Officers and senior financial management professionals in the banking industry. Hosted by the Virginia Bankers Association & Maryland Bankers Association, this dynamic event delivers the insights, connections, and strategies you need to lead with confidence in today’s rapidly evolving financial landscape.
Whether you’re navigating complex regulatory demands, evaluating new technologies, or preparing your institution for future growth, this conference equips you with the tools, perspective, and network to succeed.
The 2026 CFO Conference & Ethics Session will take place August 19-21, 2026 at the Hotel Roanoke in Roanoke, VA.
Agenda
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
| 11:30 – 2:00 p.m. | Accounting Peer Group (additional fee) Sponsored by Brown, Edwards & Company, L.L.P. |
| 2:30 p.m. | Registration for Ethics Session |
| 3:00 – 4:40 p.m. | AI Ethics 2026 | Clare Levison Separate Registration RequiredThis course satisfies the annual two-hour Virginia Board of Accountancy (BOA) Ethics requirement. |
| 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. | Welcome Reception |
Thursday, August 20, 2026
| 7:30 – 8:00 a.m. | Registration | Continental Breakfast Breakfast sponsored by FHLBank Atlanta Coffee Station sponsored by Elliott Davis |
| 8:00 – 8:15 a.m. | Welcome & Sponsor Introductions |
| 8:15 – 9:15 a.m. | Rates Will Surprise You, Your Balance Sheet Shouldn’t Scott Hildenbrand | Piper Sandler LLC |
| In this session, Scott Hildenbrand, head of depository markets and strategy at Piper Sandler, challenges institutions to shift their focus from predicting the Fed to actively managing their balance sheet exposures. Exploring the intersection of balance sheet management, M&A, and capital markets, Scott will highlight how banks are taking the offensive by rethinking their playbooks. Attendees will learn how to differentiate between yield curve risk and interest rate risk, and how to execute actionable strategies, from downside hedges to structured alternatives, that build true earnings resilience. Supported by recent M&A and capital markets case studies, this session will provide a clear view of how to position your institution for enhanced profitability, mitigated risk, and greater strategic flexibility. | |
| 9:15 – 9:30 a.m. | Networking Break |
| 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Breakout Sessions |
Accounting & Tax Update Brandon Driver | YHB |
| SEC Update Susan Ancarrow & Greg Parisi | Troutman Pepper Locke |
|
| 10:30 – 10:45 a.m. | Networking Break |
| 10:45 – 11:45 a.m. | Top Strategies to Thrive & Beyond Brett Rawls | PRI |
| During this session, Brett Rawls will explore key strategies that drive success in high-performing community financial institutions and provide clear, practical insights on how these organizations grow profitability, enhance customer relationships, embrace technology, and improve efficiency. Attendees will leave equipped with actionable ideas to strengthen their institution’s performance, increasing non-interest income and controlling non-interest expenses to compete effectively in today’s market. Key Learning Objectives:
|
|
| 11:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Lunch |
| 12:30 – 1:15 p.m. | Exhibitor Solutions Showcase |
| 1:20 – 2:20 p.m. | The Evolution of Tokenization and AI in Banking Chris Nichols | Southstate Bank, N.A. |
This session will focus on the latest evolution of thinking and strategy as it pertains to tokenized deposits, Stablecoin and the use of enterprise AI. We will not only say a bunch of impressive buzzwords, but will provide actionable strategy and tactics. Some key takeaways will include:
|
|
| 2:20 – 2:35 p.m. | Networking Break |
| 2:35 – 3:35 p.m. | Ready, Set, Integrate: CFO Readiness for Successful Mergers & Acquisitions Josh White | Elliott Davis |
| For CFOs, successful mergers and acquisitions mean more than identifying opportunities— they require readiness, discipline, and leadership. Transaction success hinges on proactive planning, operational excellence, and clear communication. In this session, you will recognize key early questions to address readiness, post-deal goals, advisor engagement, and stakeholder impact. We will identify strong accounting practices—such as audit-ready data, normalized risk ratings, and integrated purchase accounting workbooks—to support defensible, efficient transactions. Leaders who champion strategic intent and disciplined execution position their institutions to seize opportunities, strengthen balance sheets, and deliver sustainable growth in a dynamic market. | |
| 3:35 – 3:45 p.m. | Networking Break |
| 3:45 – 4:15 p.m. | Industry Update Bruce Whitehurst | Mid-Atlantic Bankers Association & Virginia Bankers Association |
| 4:15 – 5:15 p.m. | Regulator Panel Amanda Cunningham | OCC Ann Servaes | FDIC Logan Hudgins| Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond TBA | Bureau of Financial Institutions Michael Sprouse | Office of Financial Regulation |
| 5:15 – 6:45 p.m. | Cocktail Reception Sponsored by Brown, Edwards & Company, L.L.P. |
Dinner is on your own. Enjoy your evening!
Friday, August 21, 2026
| 8:00 – 8:30 a.m. | Continental Breakfast Coffee Station sponsored by Elliott Davis |
| 8:30 – 8:45 a.m. | Announcements & Exhibitor Drawings Must be present to win! |
| 8:45 – 9:45 a.m. | Market & Economic Outlook Craig Dismuke | Stifel |
| 9:45 – 10:00 a.m. | Networking Break |
| 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. | Closing Keynote: The Art of Oppositioning David Rendell | Keynote Speaker Sponsored by VCDC |
| 11:00 – 11:10 a.m. | Stretch Break |
| 11:10 – 12:10 a.m. | Banker Roundtable This session is for bankers only. |
| 12:10 p.m. | Conference Adjourns |
**Speakers and topics subject to change.
Hotel Information
Hotel Roanoke
110 Shenandoah Avenue NE
Roanoke, VA 24016
The associations have negotiated a room rate of $209/night, plus taxes and fees. To take advantage of this rate, please click here to make your reservation by July 19, 2026.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Interested in sponsoring and/or exhibiting at the 2026 CFO Conference? Click here for available options. For our complete 2026 Sponsorship Brochure, click here. Contact Amy Binns.
Register Here
