Don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear top executives in the banking industry as they share insights on the future of banking and explore the strategic decisions driving success at banking’s highest levels.
Explore the Forum 2025 Agenda
Executive Leadership Series Moderator
Jim Marous 
Co-Publisher
The Financial Brand
Jim Marous, host of the world’s #1 banking podcast, Banking Transformed, is one of the most influential voices in banking. Join Jim on the Forum 2025 main stage as he moderates these exclusive one-on-one discussions with C-level executives from top U.S. financial organizations. These candid conversations will give you an insider’s perspective on the critical leadership challenges facing the industry today.
Growth Through Innovation & Digital Marketing
Colin Walsh
Founder and CEO of Varo
In this compelling session, Colin Walsh, founder and CEO of the first consumer fintech to secure a national bank charter in the United States, will discuss the growth challenges and opportunities facing financial institutions navigating digital transformation as he shares valuable insights into Varo’s journey from an ambitious startup to an established digital bank. You’ll learn how Varo is leveraging cutting-edge tech, AI, product innovation, and unique marketing strategies to drive acquisition and create a sustainable competitive advantage.
Engaging Next-Gen Banking Consumers
Lamont Young
EVP of National Banking & Digital Channels
Citizens Bank
Understanding and connecting with younger consumer groups has never been more crucial. Lamont Young will share invaluable insights on the future of banking for Gen Z and Millennials, challenging common misconceptions about these consumers with a fresh perspective on their needs and preferences. Delve into the power of a hybrid approach that seamlessly blends digital and human channels to effectively reach and engage these tech-savvy demographic segments.
Generative AI for Efficient Growth
Sathish Muthukrishnan
Chief Information, Data & Digital Officer
Ally Bank
Generative AI is creating cutting-edge opportunities for efficiency and innovation. Sathish Muthukrishnan will discuss the critical issues surrounding AI in banking, and peer into the future to explore what lies ahead — from strategies to prioritize your AI investments and aligning AI solutions with business objectives, to implementing the right framework for AI integration.
Customer-Centric Digital Transformation
Todd Purcell
SVP/Head of Digital Strategy, Planning & Partnerships
TD Bank
Todd Purcell will explain how financial institutions can accelerate digital transformation by creating synergies between data, advanced technologies, and marketing. You’ll learn from the challenges and surprises TD Bank encountered as they tested new CX models and created innovative solutions that deliver ‘unexpectedly human’ experiences and driver greater engagement.
Punching Above Your Asset Size
Victor Alexander
Head of Consumer Banking
KeyBank
Discover how financial institutions of any size — from community banks to a regional powerhouse — can compete with banking behemoths and agile fintech disruptors. Victor Alexander will discuss how an innovative culture can propel your organization forward, with insights on the power of strategic collaboration with solution providers, as he demonstrates how leveraging data, AI, and advanced segmentation techniques give you the competitive edge.
Building a Resilient Digital Banking Platform
Dominic Venturo
Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Digital Officer
U.S. Bank
How can financial institutions overcome the challenge of staying ahead while ensuring unwavering reliability and security? Drawing on his extensive experience at one of America’s leading financial institutions, Dominic Venturo will share insights on striking the right balance between seamless operations, robust security, agile development, and relentless innovation for a future-ready digital platform.
The Future of Banking Regulation
Lindsey Johnson
CEO/President
Consumer Bankers Association
The CBA’s Lindsey Johnson will share her perspective on common-sense regulations needed to protect consumers while fostering innovation and competition in the banking industry. Critical topics include overdraft services, credit card regulations, the evolving M&A landscape, the importance of enhancing financial literacy, and safeguarding consumer data in an increasingly digital world.
Lessons from a Core Conversion
Jennifer Smith
CIO
Zions Bank
Dive into the complexities of successful core system conversions, as Jennifer Smith shares her first-hand experience recently navigating this intricate process at Zions Bank. Smith will shed light on the critical decisions that must be made at each step in the journey, with insider insights, strategic perspectives, and practical takeaways into how financial institutions should tackle one of the most difficult projects they will ever undertake.
