2025 MBA/VBA Joint Convention Recap
June 22-25, 2025
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 Agency. 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 Brach, 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
Sponsored by Rivel Banking Research - Winning Combination: Strategy, Culture, and Process Improvement
Sponsored by Profit Resources, Inc. - Thrive in ’25: Becoming a Smarter Bank by Leveraging AI and Technology in a Competitive Climate
Sponsored by Cornerstone Advisors - The Bank M&A Marketplace: What’s Changed…and What Hasn’t
Sponsored by Olsen Palmer LLC