The next wave of artificial intelligence goes beyond better tools—it gives them autonomous agents. This session explores what agentic AI means for the future of relationship managers, and how institutions are deploying AI systems to proactively identify cross-sell opportunities, flag at-risk relationships, prepare call briefs, and automate follow-up at scale. Industry leaders will debate where autonomous AI delivers the greatest competitive advantage, where human judgment remains irreplaceable, and how banks are building the governance frameworks needed to deploy agentic systems responsibly. The discussion will examine what the institutions moving first are learning—and what everyone else risks by waiting.

Small businesses are turning away from financial institutions and seeking better, more affordable services from rival fintechs and neobanks. This session explores how banks can regain competitive advantage in the new battleground for the SMB relationship. At issue: how banks bring accounting, payroll, and e-commerce services to small business clients who are eager to manage cash flow more effectively. Industry leaders will debate where the embedded finance opportunity is greatest, where the threat of disintermediation is most acute, and what a winning app or platform strategy looks like for large and small banks and credit unions. The discussion will examine how banks are deciding whether to build or partner, and how to stay at the center of the small business banking relationship.

While the SBA has expanded capital access for high-growth businesses, its recent rule changes could present challenges for banks. While SBA borrowers can now combine 7(a) and 504 loan limits for up to $10 million—double the previous limit—banks must now meet more rigorous SBA-specific loan guidelines, reducing underwriting flexibility.

This session explores the specific implications of the SBA’s rule changes and how they will affect national and community banks. Industry practitioners will examine what has changed in underwriting standards, program eligibility, and compliance requirements—and what banks need to do to stay out in front of the wide-ranging implications of the new rules in place. The discussion will address how the most forward-looking lenders are turning regulatory change into a competitive advantage, and what their new small business lending playbook looks like.

1. AI and the Reinvention of Small Business Banking
2. Cash Flow, Credit, and the Future of Lending
3. Payments, Deposits, and Treasury as Growth Engines
4. Fraud and Cybersecurity in the AI Era
5. On-Chain Finance, Stablecoins, and the Next Financial Infrastructure

1. Modernizing Your Technology Stack
2. Competing for and Keeping Small Business Members
3. Scaling Small Business Lending to Compete With Banks and Alternative Lenders
4. Managing Fraud, Risk and Regulatory Complexity
5. Reaching Underserved Small Business Members Profitably

Small businesses are the fastest-growing target of financial fraud and most of them aren’t adequately—if at all—protected. This session explores the rapidly evolving fraud landscape confronting small business owners, from business email compromise and synthetic identity fraud to account takeover and payment scams. Industry leaders will examine why small businesses have become the primary target of sophisticated attackers, how treasury management solutions are emerging as a critical line of defense for visibility, and how to gain greater control over payment flows. The key for banks: moving from reactive loss management to proactive, relationship-defining protection. The discussion will address how institutions are turning their commitment to small business security—and the treasury management tools that support it—into a competitive differentiator that fosters loyalty and drives retention

Small businesses rarely fail from lack of demand—they fail from delayed access to cash. This panel explores whether on-chain finance can fundamentally reshape SMB liquidity through tokenized invoices, real-time settlement, and programmable working capital. Industry leaders will debate whether these models truly reduce friction and expand access to capital, or simply introduce new operational, regulatory, and adoption challenges. The discussion will examine how banks, fintechs, and digital asset infrastructure providers are rethinking supply chain finance, receivables, and the future of SMB liquidity.

Small business owners expect instant, seamless payments from their banks—anything less could be a deal breaker. This session explores the practical steps needed to close the payments gap—which is impacting some institutions’ small business relationships—and deliver a better, faster, more integrated customer experience for small businesses.

The gap between what small businesses want from their bank and what most deliver has never been wider—or more critical. They want transparency around finances, tailored guidance, and access to capital. Yet many banks fail to deliver these, opening the door for small businesses to turn to fintech rivals.This session explores the latest on small business owner attitudes, expectations, and banking behaviors that provide a data-driven picture of where the market segment is headed. Industry leaders will examine what small business owners most want—instant credit decisions, proactive fraud protection, seamless payments, and genuine advisory support—and why so few banks are consistently delivering it. The discussion will address the specific changes in product design, service model, and digital experience that will determine who wins and who loses the small business relationship.