ICBA Live 2026

Inspiration that sparks action

ICBA LIVE is the largest gathering of community bankers in the world. This year’s theme is “Anchored in Purpose,” spotlighting the stabilizing role community banks play during choppy economic moments.

The conference is packed with influential speakers who address challenges facing community banks today — paired with practical, ready‑to‑use ideas you can bring home. You’ll get a sense of what others are actually doing — not just talking about.

ICBA LIVE is designed for people who want to sharpen their thinking, refresh their motivation, and head home with something real to apply — not just a folder of slides.

Highlights include sessions on:

• Workforce development
• Fraud, cybersecurity, and risk
• Lending and deposits
• Regulation and bank examinations
• Growth and marketing
• Digital transformation and innovation
• Management and strategy

Don’t miss these informative sessions presented by CLA professionals:

Smarter Banking: 10 AI Moves that Make a Difference

CLA speakers: Josh Juergensen and Tim Dively

This isn’t just a list of AI use cases, it’s a strategy-first approach. Many financial institutions have struggled with tech-led initiatives that lack alignment to real business goals. This program focuses on connecting AI efforts to measurable outcomes through a practical blueprint that combines people, processes, and technology using Organizational Change Management (OCM) to enable adoption, governance, and real value. You’ll learn how to educate staff and boards with clear guardrails while building programs for risk, cybersecurity, vendor management, and strategy that keep pace with AI — and turn policy into everyday practice. We’ll help you identify current AI usage across employees and vendors, uncover gaps and risks, and prioritize a roadmap of 10 key moves for smarter, safer banking.

Closing the Gap Between Compliance Expectations and Bank Execution

CLA speakers: Karen Leiter and Tim Dively

Community banks often rely on spreadsheets and manual reports to demonstrate compliance with BSA/AML, fraud, and risk requirements. Examiners, however, expect consistent, well-documented evidence of SARs, CTRs, due diligence, and board reporting.

This session explores where banks typically struggle, and how data, automation, AI, and cybersecurity can streamline compliance processes. Attendees will learn how to transform manual tasks into examiner-ready evidence, reduce burden on staff, and strengthen controls through practical, low-cost solutions.

The Business of Banking: Profitability at Any Asset Size

CLA speakers: David Heneke

This session explores the foundational principles and strategic approaches that drive profitability in banking, regardless of asset size. From community banks, we’ll examine how financial performance is shaped by core banking functions, risk management, operational efficiency, and customer engagement. Attendees will gain insights into scalable business models and innovative practices that support sustainable growth and resilience in a competitive financial landscape.