Key Highlights
- The University of Mississippi will host its 24th Annual Banking and Finance Symposium on November 14, 2025.
- This year’s event will spotlight AI, technology adoption, and banking merger trends shaping the sector.
- Rebeca Romero Rainey, CEO of the Independent Community Bankers of America, will deliver the keynote address.
The University of Mississippi School of Business Administration is set to host the 24th Annual Banking and Financial Symposium on November 14, 2025. It will take place at the Oxford Conference Center. The event will gather top banking executives, regulators, and academics to explore how artificial intelligence, fintech innovation, and regulatory changes are transforming the banking industry.
“This year’s symposium promises to continue the tradition of high-quality content that has made this one-day conference one of the best in the nation,” said Ken Cyree, Dean of the School of Business Administration. “The attendance will be incredible, and the record sponsor support is another indicator of the value that is added during the symposium.”
AI and Technology Take Center Stage
With rapid technological advancements reshaping the finance industry, the symposium will dedicate several sessions to understanding the role of AI in banking, data-driven decision-making, and the rise of decentralized finance.
Speakers for the AI-focused panels include:
- Larry Pruss, Managing Director, Strategic Resource Management
- Loren Bushkar, Principal for AI Policy, Federal Reserve Board
- Mike de Vere, CEO, Zest AI
- Matt Mayo, Chief Banking Officer, Community Bank of Mississippi
- Prakash Natarajan, Senior Managing Director, Strategic Resource Management
These discussions aim to equip banking professionals with insights into the responsible and efficient implementation of AI-driven technologies.
Keynote Speakers and Distinguished Guests
Leading this year’s dialogue will be Rebeca Romero Rainey, President and CEO of the Independent Community Bankers of America, known for her influential role in advocating for community banks nationwide.
Other prominent guests include:
- Kathy Kraninger, President and CEO, Florida Bankers Association
- Chris Malloy, Ole Miss Men’s Golf Coach (Women in Finance Breakfast Speaker)
- Brian Gardner, Chief Washington Policy Strategist, Stifel
- Rodney Hood, Former Acting Comptroller, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
- Jill Castilla, President and CEO, Bank of Edmond
Panels will cover topics such as U.S. regulatory trends, innovation-driven returns, and the future of scale in modern banking.
Record Participation and Industry Support
“This year’s event features over 65 sponsors, a record,” said Stan Viner, president of the school’s banking and finance board. “They include banks, industry banking associations, consulting firms and fintechs from all over the U.S. and Europe.”
Registration for the event is $95, open to professionals, alumni, and students. Scholarships are available for participants aged 35 or younger, encouraging broader representation from the next generation of finance leaders.