Banking & Finance Symposium
For over 100 years, the University of Mississippi School of Business has been educating business leaders. The agenda and sponsor recognition for 2026 is posted below.
About the Symposium
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, and growth strategies (M&A). – Click here for the recap of last year’s (2025) symposium.
For Prospective Sponsors
For sponsorship information, email Phil Buffington at pbuffington@balch.com.
Previous Symposium Agendas and Files
View past programs and listen to panels through a dedicated Box folder.
Ole Miss Business 2026 Banking & Finance Symposium
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6
Oxford Conference Center, 102 Ed Perry Blvd., Oxford, MS 38655
For over 100 years, the University of Mississippi School of Business has been educating business leaders. For over 20 years, we have held a Banking and Finance Symposium to educate our students, alumni, and finance professionals on current topics that impact the financial industry. The symposium is hosted by the School of Business and emceed by Stan Viner, Chair, School of Business Banking & Finance Advisory Board.
COST: $95 (Scholarships are available for employed professionals age 35 & under.) Email Kathy Mikell at kathybfs26@olemiss.edu for more information.
ATTIRE: Business casual | CEU’s: Applications will be submitted
7:30–9:30 AM | Check-in; Breakfast available until 9:00 AM Sessions will be in the Magnolia/Cedar room unless noted otherwise. | Lobby |
| 8:00 AM | Women in the Finance Industry - Breakfast Michelle Rivers, Chief Experience Officer, Renasant Bank Keith Carter, Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics, Univ. of Mississippi | Lobby |
| 9:45 AM | Welcome and Introductions Stan Viner, President, S.J. Viner & Associates | Lobby |
| 10:00 AM | 25th Symposium Anniversary Recognition Phil Buffington, Partner, Balch & Bingham LLP Stan Viner, President, S.J. Viner & Associates Charles R. White, Managing Director, Stifel Financial Corporation | Lobby |
| 10:15 AM | Keynote Speakers Dr. Glenn Boyce, Chancellor, The University of Mississippi Douglas Carswell, President & CEO, Mississippi Center for Public Policy | Lobby |
| 11:15 AM | Fireside Chat with Michelle Bowman and Cathy Owen Michelle Bowman, Vice Chair for Supervision, Board of Governors, Federal Reserve System Cathy Owen, CEO of Eagle Bank & Chair of the American Bankers Association Moderated by Jill Castilla, President and CEO, Bank of Edmond | Lobby |
| NOON | Lunch & Award Presentations | Lobby |
| 1:15–3:15 PM | Concurrent Sessions (your choice) | Cedar/Magnolia & Auditorium |
| 1:15 PM | No Data…No AI Moderated by Lee Wetherington, Senior Director of Corporate Strategy at Jack Henry & Associates Panelists:
| Auditorium |
| 1:15 PM | Regulatory Strategies Moderated by Rhoshunda Kelly, Commissioner, MS Dept. of Banking & Consumer Finance Panelists:
| Cedar/Magnolia |
| 2:15 PM | AI Banking Playbooks Moderated by Wayne Miller, Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer at the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) Panelists:
| Auditorium |
| 2:15 PM | Growth Strategies Moderated by Paul Davis, Founder & CEO of Bankslate Panelists:
| Cedar/Magnolia |
| 3:15 PM | Closing Reception - Beverages and light hors d’oeuvres | Lobby |
Connect and Learn
Charles Potts taking a selfie with Ken Cyree (School of Business), Matt McCraw (Trustmark), and Robbie Barnes (Priority One).
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.
