2026 Payments Conference

Payments remain one of the most dynamic areas of banking as new technologies, networks, and customer expectations reshape how money moves. This conference explores developments in payment systems, emerging tools and strategies, and the operational and risk considerations financial institutions must navigate. Attendees will gain insight into how banks are adapting their payments strategies to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving ecosystem.

After attending this conference, you will be eligible to receive the following credits:

12.5 CRCM, 9.5 CSOP, 8.5 CERP, 1 CAFP

9:00 am - 9:10 am

Welcome and Conference Kickoff

Dr. Kevin Streff

9:10 am - 10:00 am

Foundations of Payment Systems

Payment systems are complex and country-dependent; however, the key concepts of payment systems persist. This session provides an overview of terminology, industry payment players, and payment systems. After attending this session, bankers should be able to recognize payment terms and understand how payments work in the United States and international banking systems.

Richard Blake

10:05 am - 11:00 am

The Future of The Payments Industry-The Key Challenges (2026-2029)

Technology is disrupting banking, and nowhere is this more evident in payment systems. Hardly a week goes by without some additional change to how payments are done in the United States and international banking systems. Join this session to understand what is occurring how with payment systems, what is likely to occur, and what are we not anticipating that could occur that could change how payments work at your financial institution.

Eliot Heilpern

11:05 am - 12:00 pm

Strategic Innovations in Payment Systems

The evolving nature of payment systems are difficult to keep up with. Certainly the consumer is being provided more options and flexibility, but this comes at a cost and strain on bank resources. Attend this session to learn more about these strategic innovations in payment systems so your financial institution can plan and take advantage of the evolving payment systems landscape.

Ken Kruszka

12:05 pm - 1:00 pm

Institutional DeFi and the Future of Bank-Issued Stablecoins

Stablecoins have crossed the $280 billion threshold, yet institutional adoption remains in its earliest innings. This session cuts through the noise — separating real-economy payment volumes from inflated headline figures — and maps the strategic roles banks can claim in the emerging on-chain money ecosystem. From deposit tokens and reserve management to programmable treasury operations and institutional DeFi, attendees will leave with a clear-eyed view of the opportunity landscape, the global regulatory mosaic taking shape under the GENIUS Act and CLARITY Act, and a practical framework for moving from board-level conversation to execution.

Matthew Bowen

9:00 am - 9:50 am

Payment Systems: Faster Payments

Remember the days when payments were batched and overnight processing handled payments? Real-time payments and settlements are being demanded by customers as systems outside of the banks are already offering such speed and flexibility. Understanding that fast payments are important to the consumer, what can you do inside the bank to improve speed? Attend this session to learn all about how your bank can introduce faster payments to consumers to satisfy their need and evolve your systems and processes to complete better in the 21st century.

Ken Kruszka

10:00 am - 10:50 am

Update on Card Brand Regulations

Payment systems laws and regulations are dynamic. Traditional card providers like Visa and Mastercard have evolved their card regulations to minimize risks and provide a common, convenient, secure, and reliable global payment experience while supporting geography-specific rules that allow for variations and unique marketplace needs. Attend this session to understand card brand regulations, with a special focus on what has changed in 2026 that affects payment card processing in banking.

Richard Blake

11:00 am - 11:50 am

Securing Payment Systems

Cybersecurity is one of the top issues reported by bank executives. Payment systems are some of the riskiest systems banks deploy. This combination is causing consternation and legal issues as hacking attempts to breach payment systems. Attend this session to learn more about payment system attacks and breaches, and what financial institutions can do to stay one step ahead of hackers in the evolving payment systems landscape.

Dr. Kevin Streff

12:00 pm - 12:50 pm

Disrupted, Delayed, Disputed: Navigating Error Resolution in Payment Systems

For financial institutions, payment exceptions sit at the critical intersection of regulatory compliance and the accountholder experience. A mishandled ACH return or a prolonged card dispute doesn't just invite audit risk—it directly damages institutional trust and retention. This session breaks down processing failures across card networks, ACH, and instant payment rails, demonstrating how to execute swift, compliant error resolution while maintaining a seamless, transparent service experience for your accountholders.

Michele Barlow, AAP, AFPP, APRP, NCP

9:00 am - 9:50 am

Cross Border Payments

Cross‑border payments are undergoing a rapid transformation as customer expectations rise, regulatory frameworks evolve, and new technologies reshape how money moves across borders. This session provides a clear, practical look at the current state of international payments and the innovations driving faster, safer, and more transparent global transactions.Attendees will explore the operational, compliance, and technological challenges that financial institutions face when facilitating cross‑border payments, including FX management, correspondent banking complexities, settlement delays, and varying regional regulations. The session also highlights emerging solutions—such as real‑time payment rails, ISO 20022 adoption, digital identity, and blockchain‑enabled networks—that are redefining speed, cost efficiency, and interoperability.Participants will leave with a stronger understanding of the global payments landscape, the risks and opportunities shaping its future, and actionable strategies to enhance their institution’s cross‑border payment capabilities.

Dr. Bruce Upton

10:00 am - 10:50 am

Fraud in Motion: Emerging Risks, AI Threats, and the Future of Payments Protection

The payments ecosystem is facing unprecedented fraud challenges as criminals adapt quickly to new technologies and shifting consumer behaviors. Financial institutions are contending with rising check fraud, AI-enabled scams, cybersecurity threats, and increasingly sophisticated social engineering attacks. This session will examine current fraud trends, the real-world impact on individuals and organizations, and the strategies needed to strengthen prevention and response efforts.

Jennifer Miller

11:00 am - 11:50 am

Trust, Payments, and Intelligent Catalogs

AI is often deployed to make smarter decisions because of the information it can use to quickly make decisions. Trust and payment systems are vital banking capabilities, and AI is revolutionalizing how these important banking functions are being revolutionized to experience better outcomes. Join this session to understand how your bank can improve trust, payments, and intelligent catalogs to achieve your bank’s strategic and operational goals.