Nearly 460 bankers and industry partners joined us at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, Florida, for the second annual 2025 MBA|VBA Joint Convention. Attendees enjoyed business sessions as well as social and networking events during their time in Naples.

The event began Sunday with a Welcome Reception sponsored by Investors Title Insurance Company. This year’s Spouse/Guest Program: Explore the Shore was sponsored by Virginia Housing. The Golf Tournament, sponsored by KlariVis, was held Monday afternoon at the Tiburón Golf Club and a dessert reception was held Monday evening, sponsored by Piper Sandler.

The Convention came to a close with Tuesday evening’s closing reception, sponsored by Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC, SageView, VBA Benefits Corp., VOYA and Williams Mullen, and dinner and entertainment, sponsored by FHLBank Atlanta.

A special thank you to 2024-2025 VBA Chairman Victor Branch, Bank of America, for presiding over the event alongside Janet Currie, Bank of America and 2024-2025 MBA Chair.

Save the date for the 2026 MBA|VBA Joint Convention June 7-10 at The Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, VA.

Speaker & Session Information

Topics and speakers during this year’s General Session included:​

• US Macro Economy
  Sophia Kearney-Lederman, Senior Economist, FHN Financial
  Session Sponsored by FHN Financial
• Inside Washington: ABA’s Advocacy in Action
  • John Asbury, Chair, American Bankers Association; CEO, Atlantic Union Bankshares Corporation
  • Rob Nichols, President and CEO, American Bankers Association
  • Moderated by DeMarion Johnston, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, Mid-Atlantic Bankers Association & Virginia Bankers Association
• The AI Take-off: Implications for Business, the Economy, and the Future of Society
  Anton Korinek, Professor, Department of Economics and Darden School of Business, University of Virginia
• 12 Strong: An Extraordinary Mission of Commitment, Purpose, Heroism and Hope
  Mark Nutsch, Green Beret Commander Portrayed in the Movie 12 Strong & New York Times Best-Seller, Horse Soldiers
  Session Sponsored by Bearing Insurance

Topics and speakers during this year’s breakout sessions included:

• Acquisition vs. Retention: Balancing Growth and Loyalty
  Dailey Betz, Director of Growth, Rivel Banking Research
  Sponsored by Rivel Banking Research
• Winning Combination: Strategy, Culture, and Process Improvement
  Tom McGill, Director of Customer Experience, Profit Resources, Inc.
  Sponsored by Profit Resources, Inc.
• Thrive in ’25: Becoming a Smarter Bank by Leveraging AI and Technology in a Competitive Climate
  Stacey Bryant, Director of Client Development, Cornerstone Advisors
  Jen Wagner, Director of Business Development, Cornerstone Advisors
  Sponsored by Cornerstone Advisors
• The Bank M&A Marketplace: What’s Changed…and What Hasn’t
  Christopher Olsen,  Managing Partner, Olsen Palmer LLC
  Sponsored by Olsen Palmer LLC

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Pictures from the Event