Banking & Finance Symposium
For over 100 years, the University of Mississippi School of Business has been educating business leaders. Scroll down to view the agenda and sponsors for the 2025 Symposium.
About
The Banking and Finance Symposium is an annual event hosted by the University of Mississippi School of Business Administration. It brings together financial professionals, students, and academics to discuss current trends and challenges in the banking and finance industry. The symposium features keynote speakers, panel discussions, and breakout sessions that cover topics such as artificial intelligence, regulatory issues, cybersecurity, and mergers and acquisitions.
AGENDA:
Ole Miss Business 2025 Banking & Finance Symposium
Friday, November 14
Oxford Conference Center, 102 Ed Perry Boulevard, Oxford, MS 38655
7:45–10:00 AM | Check-in; breakfast available until 9:30 AM | Lobby
8:15 AM | Women in the Finance Industry - Breakfast | Magnolia/Cedar
- Kathy Kraninger, President & CEO, Florida Bankers Association
- Chris Malloy, Coach, Ole Miss Men's Golf
10:00 AM | Keynote Speakers | Magnolia/Cedar
- "Fireside Chat" with Brian Gardner, Chief Washington Policy Strategist, Stifel and Charles White, Managing Director, Stifel
- "Fireside Chat" with Rodney Hood, Former Acting OCC Comptroller - FDIC & Federal Home Loan Bank Board Member and Jill Castilla, President & CEO, Bank of Edmond
- Rebeca Rainey, President & CEO, Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA)
Noon | Lunch & Award Presentations | Magnolia/Cedar
1:00–3:00 PM | Concurrent Sessions (you choose which ones to attend) | Magnolia/Cedar & Auditorium
1:00 PM | AI in Banking: Practical Use, Promise & Pitfalls
- Moderator:
- Larry Pruss, Managing Director, Strategic Resource Management (SRM)
Panelists:
Loren Bushkar, Principal, AI Policy, The Federal Reserve Board
Mike de Vere, CEO - Zest AI
Prakash Natarajan, Senior Managing Director, Strategic Resource Management (SRM)
Christian Ruppe, Chief Innovation Officer, Colony Bank
1:00 PM | Navigating the Evolving U.S. Bank Regulatory Landscape
- Moderator:
- Kathy Kraninger, President and CEO of the Florida Bankers Association
Panelists:
Greg Gonzales, Commissioner of the TN Dept. of Financial Institutions
Charles Koontz, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, Community Bank Group
2:00 PM | Stablecoins and Community Banks: Navigating the Regulatory Landscape
- Moderator:
- Wayne Miller, SVP, Innovation Programming, Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA)
Panelists:
Wade Peery, Chief Innovations Officer, FirstBank
Erica Pilon, VP and Head of Corporate Strategy, Jack Henry
Alex Treece, Co-Founder and CEO, Stablecore
2:00 PM | Smart Growth: Innovation, Scale and Returns
- Moderator:
Paul Davis, Founder & CEO of Bankslate
Panelists:
Ken Hale, President and CEO, Bank of Montgomery
C.K. Lee, President and CEO, Interbank
Christopher Olsen, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Olsen Palmer
3:00 PM | Closing Reception - beverages and light hors d'oeuvres | Lobby
COST: $95 (Scholarships are available for employed professionals age 35 & under) Email Kathy Mikell (kathyr@olemiss.edu) for information.
ATTIRE: Business Casual | CEU's: Applications will be submitted
Questions? Please email bfs@olemiss.edu
Connect and Learn
Shella Sylla (Prismm), Heath Viner (AvidXchange), and Martha Underwood (Prismm).
Gant Boone (BankFirst) and Lt. Col. Sheldon Morris (Ole Miss).
Ole Miss Business students at the symposium.
Charles Potts (ICBA) taking a selfie with Ken Cyree (School of Business), Matt McCraw (Trustmark), and robbie Barnes (Priority One).
Kendall Schottenfeld (Bank Director), Katherine Tracy (Bank Director), and Michelle Nealy (Synovus).
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