Breaking Barriers
Conrad Washington, DC
Breaking Barriers is an invite-only forum for large community bank leaders navigating growth beyond $1B. This is where candid conversation replaces surface level commentary, and you and your peers can speak openly about the realities of operating at scale.
What makes Breaking Barriers different?
- Built for banks beyond $1B: Discover innovative solutions designed to address the same scale-driven realities of regulatory pressure, higher-stakes strategic decisions, and the demands that come with growth.
- Candid exchange with your peers: Participate in an intentionally small, senior-level forum designed for honest dialogue. Your invitation grants you access to a room full of leaders who understand the stakes, share your real-world experience, and are equally committed to elevating community banking.
- Clarity that informs decisions: Understand what potential changes to the political and regulatory landscape may mean for your balance sheet, long-term strategy, and independence.
Registration for Breaking Barriers is free.
Event Hotel
The Conrad Washington, DC is located at 950 New York Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001.
Closest airport: Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), approximately 4.5 miles away
Recommended transportation: Taxi or rideshare; travel time from DCA is about 15–20 minutes
Distance to Metro Center Station: 2.5 blocks
Distance to Gallery Place Station: Just over 3 blocks
Event Schedule
The Breaking Barriers program will feature keynote presentations and panel discussions focused on the most pressing issues facing community banking today. Following each session, attendees will participate in interactive roundtable discussions, providing opportunities to explore key topics in greater depth, exchange insights, and engage directly with their peers.
Schedule subject to change.
11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Registration
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Lunch
1:00 - 1:15 p.m.
Opening Remarks
Rebeca Romero Rainey and John V. Evans, III
1:15 p.m. – 1:55 p.m.
Digital Assets & Tokenized Deposits are Here, How Will You Compete?
Wade Peery, ICBA Consultant
1:55 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
Digital Assets Regulatory Update
Brian Laverdure, ICBA
2:20 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
Banker Roundtable: Digital Assets
Q&A with Wade Peery and Brian Laverdure, ICBA
4:00 – 4:45 p.m.
Keynote Presentation
Erica Pilon, Jack Henry
5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Networking Reception
6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Dinner
7:20 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Keynote Address: The Post Mid-Term Political Landscape
Joan Woodward, Travelers
8:05 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Networking
7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Registration
7:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.
Breakfast
8:00 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.
ICBA Legislative & Regulatory Updates
Paul Merski and Lilly Thomas, ICBA
8:55 a.m. – 9:40 a.m.
Banker Panel: Operational Strategies & Peer Insights
ICBA Large Community Bank Council
9:50 a.m. – 10:35 a.m.
Banker Roundtable: Capital Management Strategies
Moderator: Kirk Hovde, The Hovde Group
10:35 a.m. – 10:50 a.m.
Fraud Update
Scott Anchin, ICBA
10:55 a.m. – Noon
Banker Roundtable: Fraud
Q&A with Scott Anchin, ICBA
Noon – 1:00 p.m.
Networking Lunch
1:00 p.m. – 1:40 p.m.
Interactive Panel Discussion: AI Strategies and Use Cases
Moderator: Wayne Miller, ICBA
1:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Interactive Panel Discussion: AI Security & Policy Compliance
Moderator: Anjelica Dortch, ICBA
2:55 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Closing Remarks
John V. Evans, III
Premier Sponsor
Sponsors
2026 Speakers
John V. Evans, III
CEO of D.L. Evans Bank in Burley
Idaho
