2026 NCBA Management Forum

Management Forum

Wednesday, November 4, 2026 to Friday, November 6, 2026

The Omni Grove Park Inn, 290 Macon Ave, Asheville, NC 28804

NCBA Management Forum · Asheville

Lead clearly. Connect meaningfully.

The 2026 NCBA Management Forum brings North Carolina banking leaders together for focused programming, candid conversation and valuable peer connection—all in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

When November 4–6, 2026
Where The Omni Grove Park Inn
Who NCBA member bankers and affiliates

Make space for the bigger picture

Strategic perspective

Step away from day-to-day demands and focus on the questions shaping your institution and the industry.

Peer connection

Reconnect with fellow banking leaders and make room for the conversations that rarely fit into the workday.

A standout setting

Gather at one of North Carolina’s most iconic destinations, surrounded by Asheville’s mountain views.

Registration Options

Registration Options	Credits	Price
Bank Delegate		$850.00
Speaker Registration		FREE
Affiliate Sponsor		$850.00
Affiliate Non-Sponsor		$1,050.00

Agenda

November 4
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM	NCBA Board Meeting Laurel Room
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM	Registration Heritage
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM	Welcome Reception Skyline, Mountain View Terrace
November 5
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM	Breakfast Heritage B
9:00 AM - 9:15 AM	Welcome Remarks Heritage A
9:15 AM - 10:00 AM	Winning Combination: Strategy, Culture, and Process Improvement Heritage A Brett Rawls Profit Resources, Inc. We will take a look at how critical it is to have process improvement as part of the ongoing strategy and culture of your bank. By doing so, your bank will improve operational efficiencies and system utilization, increase employee engagement, and deliver a better client experience.
10:00 AM - 10:45 AM	Regulatory Roundup-What's Changing in Supervision Heritage B Fireside with Lisa A. White, EVP, Supervision, Regulation & Credit, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond & Heather Cozart, Principal, Baker Tilly What’s changing in bank supervision—and what should bankers be watching? Join us for a candid, interview-style conversation with a Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond representative as we tackle today’s key regulatory hot topics.
10:45 AM - 11:00 AM	Networking Break Heritage B
11:00 AM - 11:45 AM	AI in Banking: Moving from Possibility to Responsible Performance Heritage A Scott Richardson, Chief Data & AI Officer First Citizens
11:45 AM - 12:25 PM	A New Era in NC's Population Change: What Bank Leaders Need to Know Heritage A Dr. Michael Cline, State Demographer NC Office of State Budget and Management, North Carolina is entering a new era of demographic change—one that will reshape markets, customer behavior, and long‑term growth. Find out what this means for banks!
12:25 PM - 1:25 PM	Lunch Heritage B
1:30 PM - 2:15 PM	The Age of Exploitation: Tracking Scams from Teens to Seniors Heritage A Special Agent Robin Todd, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, Financial Crime Investigations Unit
2:15 PM - 3:15 PM	Economic Update Heritage B Dr. Harry Davis, PhD
3:00 PM - 3:30 PM	Networking Break Heritage B
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM	CEO & Executive Peer Group Location: Laurel. This session is for bankers only.
November 6
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM	Breakfast Heritage B
8:30 AM - 8:40 AM	Rapid Fires Heritage A
9:00 AM - 9:45 AM	NC's Progress Report: Economic Development Activity & Expansion Heritage A Fireside Chat: Peter Gwaltney, CEO, NC Bankers Association Christopher Chung, CEO of Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC)
9:45 AM - 10:00 AM	Networking Break
10:00 AM - 10:40 AM	The Changing Credit Environment—and How to Manage It! Heritage A David Ruffin,President, Credit Risk Solutions, OptimaFi
10:40 AM - 11:20 AM	Election Wrap-Up Heritage A A conversation between NCBA President/CEO Peter Gwaltney & Indie Group Principal, Jonathan Felts. Review of the latest voting results, key decisions, developments, and a focus on what they could mean for the banking industry.
11:20 AM - 12:05 PM	Legislative Updates Heritage A Tanner Black, VP, Congressional Relations American Bankers Association Get the latest updates on key federal legislative developments affecting the banking industry. The American Bankers Association will provide an overview of current legislation, priorities, and developments in Washington, along with insights into how these issues may impact banks and the financial services industry.
12:05 PM - 1:00 PM	Lunch Heritage B
1:00 PM - 1:00 PM	Conclude

Dr. Michael Kline

State Demographer

NC Office of State Budget and Management

Tanner Black

Vice President, Congressional Relations

American Bankers Association

Special Agent Robin Todd

Financial Crimes Unit

NC State Bureau of Investigation

Brett Rawls

Head of Client Engagement

Profit Resources Incorporated

Christopher Chung

Chief Executive Officer

Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina

Heather Cozart

Raleigh Market Leader

Baker Tilly

Scott Richardson

Chief Data & AI Officer

First Citizens Bank

Lisa A. White

EVP, Supervision, Regulation & Credit

Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond

David Ruffin

President, Credit Risk Solutions

OptimaFI

Jonathan Felts

Principal

The Indie Group NC

Your Asheville home base

The Omni Grove Park Inn

Set against the Blue Ridge Mountains, this historic Asheville retreat pairs sweeping views and Southern character with the amenities of a premier conference destination.

Conference room rate $419 per night Available rooms are first-come, first-served.

Room-block deadline October 9, 2026 Or until the contracted room block sells out.

Ready to reserve your room?
Book through the NCBA conference block while rooms remain available.

Book Your Room