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Bank Talk 2025

20th Annual Community Banking Events

Sunday, September 7 & Monday, September 8 

University Club of Tampa (201 N. Franklin St., 38th Floor, Tampa, FL)

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For two decades, Saltmarsh has proudly convened community and regional banking leaders from across the Southeast for engaging, forward-focused conversations around cybersecurity, compliance, and strategic risk management. BankTalk delivers fresh insights, real-world challenges, and peer networking to help strengthen your institution’s future.

This year marks our 20th anniversary, so we’re taking it back to where it all began. Celebrate with us at our special anniversary reception and a full day of targeted learning through our signature Saltmarsh Funnels – Technology & Compliance. This is a free event. Space is limited, so explore the agenda and register now to be part of this milestone event!

Agenda Overview

20th Annual BankTalk Reception, Dinner & Presentation 

Sunday, September 7 | 5:30 – 8:00 pm @ Hilton Tampa Downtown (Tampa, FL)

We’re kicking things off with a celebratory reception, bringing together industry professionals for an evening of connection and insight. Enjoy dinner and drinks while hearing from our keynote speaker, Shawn O'Brien, President of QwickRate, who will provide a valuable outlook on the trends shaping our industry. This dinner is for bankers and sponsoring dinner vendors only.

Technology Funnel 

Monday, September 8 | 8:30 – 12:00 pm @ University Club of Tampa (Tampa, FL)

The pace of innovation and increased cyber risk has never been faster. This session dives into the critical IT and cybersecurity strategies community banks need to stay secure and competitive. Learn about emerging threats, risk mitigation, and long-term digital relevance as a strategic advantage. 

  • AI in Action: Practical Ways to Use Copilot & Microsoft 365 Today
    with Stephen Reyes, CISA, CISSP | Partner | Saltmarsh

    This session explores how Microsoft Copilot and Microsoft 365 are bringing AI into everyday workflows, making it easier than ever to boost productivity with tools you already use. Learn how these practical, accessible AI capabilities can help you work smarter today.

  • Long-Term Technological & Digital Relevance for Banks: Gaining & Maintaining Competitive Advantage
    with Kelli Schultz | Principal | Cornerstone Advisors
    In the age of constantly evolving technology in financial institutions, how do Banks begin to think about gaining and maintaining Competitive Advantage? This session will help you compete by building a Smarter Bank with 5 key Pillars: Nimble, Differentiated, Opportunistic, Hyper-Efficient and a Data-driven mindset. Set yourself apart with studied and proven innovative growth tactics and discover ways to market your unique niche.

  • From Static to Strategic: Activating Bank Data for AI Readiness
    with Erkin Oksel | Founder & CEO | EyesClear

    Most banks today are sitting on a goldmine of data, yet treat it like a digital filing cabinet. In this session, we’ll challenge the status quo and show how small and mid-sized banks can turn their data into a live, strategic engine for growth, compliance, and competitive advantage. With real-world examples and a look into cutting-edge agentic AI technologies, you'll see how to activate data in real time, respond instantly to market shifts, and unlock automation that scales with your business. This isn’t about transformation in theory—it’s about what you can do next Monday.

Networking Lunch 

Monday, September 8 | 12:00 – 1:00 pm @ University Club of Tampa (Tampa, FL)

You spoke and we listened! Lunch will be open time for visiting with your peers and your favorite Saltmarshians. Enjoy good food and even better company. 

Compliance Funnel 

Monday, September 8 | 1:00 – 4:45 pm @ University Club of Tampa (Tampa, FL)

A strong compliance foundation is essential for navigating today’s regulatory environment. This session will tackle priority regulatory topics and concerns in lending, deposits, CRA, and more. Hear from industry experts, learn how your peers are adapting, and walk away with practical insights to strengthen your compliance program. 

  • Insights from the Field: BSA Risk & Regulation Right Now
    with Kristen Stogniew, Esq., CFE | Partner | Saltmarsh

    In this exclusive session, Kristen will unpack the latest regulatory actions, executive decisions, and audit findings that are shaping the compliance landscape. Learn how emerging fraud schemes, shifting political forces, and the rapid growth of non-traditional financial services are redefining risk and opportunity for your institution. Walk away with actionable insights to strengthen your compliance strategy, anticipate examiner expectations, and protect your bank’s future in a fast-evolving environment. 

  • State of Florida Insurance Panel: What Bankers Need to Know
    with Lisa Hast | Managing Partner | Iron Rock Insurance • Daniel Irby | Chief Risk Officer | Crews Bank & Trust • Joe Cataldo | Area President, Englewood-Boca Grande | Crews Bank & Trust

    From replacement cost requirements to the latest flood insurance changes, Florida’s insurance landscape presents unique challenges for lenders. This panel of experts will tackle key questions facing bankers today, including: Can a lender require proof of replacement cost coverage or cost estimators? What changed in flood insurance rules in October 2021—and how does it impact your borrowers? We’ll also explore common coverage misconceptions, what’s not included in flood policies, and the payment pitfalls that can lead to lapses, especially when working with escrow accounts. Walk away with practical insights to protect your institution and better serve your customers.

  • Where Are We Now? A Fair Lending & CRA Road Trip
    with Lorraine Faust, CRCM |  Director of Fair Lending/Fair & Responsible Banking | Saltmarsh
    Buckle up for a ride through the current landscape of Fair Lending and CRA! This session maps out key regulatory updates, compliance speed bumps, and hazards—all with a dashboard view! 

 



BankTalk is Free for Bankers!

Breakfast, lunch, and CE/CPE credits will be provided.  Capacity is limited – secure your spot for both the reception and Monday’s sessions today by clicking the button below.

Event Details & FAQs

Featured Speakers

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Shawn O'Brien

President | QwickRate

Shawn O’Brien serves as the President of QwickRate. He joined QwickRate in 2002 as Regional Sales Director and became Managing Member in August 2004 when QwickRate was purchased. His responsibilities are to continue to enhance QwickRate’s ability to deliver non-brokered funding while also seeking to complement these deposits with additional sources of liquidity. Shawn previously worked for HomeStar Bank in Manteno, IL. While there, he worked in the Finance Department and later helped form their Investment Services Division. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the National Bank of St. Anne, an Illinois community bank, where he is also a shareholder. He holds a B.A. in Business from the University of Notre Dame.

Reyes, Stephen

Stephen Reyes, CISA, CISSP

Partner | Saltmarsh

Stephen is a partner who leads across information technology services, IT compliance, and security audits. He began his career in technology consulting over 30 years ago and joined the firm in 1997. He holds multiple professional certifications, including Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) and Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE), along with credentials from ISACA, Novell, Citrix, and CompTIA. Stephen specializes in IT compliance and security audits, system selection, implementation, and conversion. His extensive expertise helps clients align their technology infrastructure with operational and regulatory demands.

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Kelli Schultz

Principal | Cornerstone Advisors

Kelli Schultz is a seasoned strategic business executive with a proven track record of driving expansion and operational excellence within the payments and broader FinTech and RegTech sectors. With over 25 years of experience in building successful products, teams, and companies, Kelli excels in leading operational transformations and revamping business models to maximize revenue and capture cost reductions. Kelli's expertise spans strategic planning, financial modeling, sales, operations management, client engagement, and compliance management. She holds certifications in network administration and database development and has pursued continuing education in executive leadership development.

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Erkin Oksel

Founder & CEO | EyesClear

Erkin is a technologist and banking expert with a background in engineering, an MBA, and certifications in cash management. After a decade at Citi leading financial operations and tech initiatives, he founded EyesClear, a real-time bank intelligence platform. Today, EyesClear supports banks across Europe, the Middle East, and North America—processing 100,000 data points per second and powering AI-driven insights, reporting, and alerting. Erkin’s mission is to help banks enhance agility, security, and compliance through cutting-edge, agentic technologies.

Stogniew, Kristen

Kristen Stogniew, Esq., CFE

Partner | Saltmarsh

Kristen is a partner who leads the Financial Institution Advisory Group. Since 1995, she has been providing legal counsel, audit services in regulatory compliance and operations. In her leadership role, provides guidance and education to compliance officers, BSA officers, executive management, and boards of directors. She serves as the primary facilitator and emcee for the Florida Bankers Association’s BSA and Consumer Compliance Conferences and leads peer groups and forums for the Georgia and Tennessee Bankers Associations. Kristen previously taught BSA/AML for the Juris Master's program at Florida State University College of Law and currently teaches at the Florida School of Banking at the University of Florida, the Southeastern Schools of Consumer and Commercial Lending, and the Graduate School of Banking at LSU.

Faust, Lorraine

Lorraine Faust, CRCM

Director of Fair Lending/Fair & Responsible Banking | Saltmarsh

Lorraine began her career in the financial services industry over 30 years ago in internal audit before transitioning to a compliance and risk management role focusing on lending compliance, fair lending and responsible banking practices. Her expertise spans regulatory change management, policy and procedure development, fair lending and redlining analysis, merger and acquisition due diligence, and risk assessments. She has managed regulatory relations and supported examinations by the FDIC, FRB, and CFPB. She is passionate about collaboration and helping leaders thrive by sharing best practices and fostering an environment where meaningful solutions can take shape.

Lisa Hast

Lisa Hast

Managing Partner | Iron Rock Insurance

Lisa is a seasoned personal lines insurance professional with nearly four decades of experience in the industry. She began her career in 1986, quickly rising through the ranks to become Vice President of Marketing and Sales for her family's insurance enterprise. Throughout her tenure, Lisa has built a reputation for delivering personalized service, innovative solutions, and unwavering integrity to her clients. In June 2020, Lisa co-founded Iron Rock Insurance alongside her daughter. Under her leadership as Managing Partner, the agency grew from zero to an $18 million-a-year operation in record time, earning recognition for its client-first approach and agile business model. A lifelong resident of the Apollo Beach area, Lisa balances her professional achievements with a deep commitment to family and community.

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Daniel Irby

Chief Risk Officer | Crews Bank & Trust

Daniel joined the Bank in September 2014 as Vice President, Risk Management Officer, and in 2021 was promoted to Chief Risk Officer. His background includes eight years with another financial institution in Florida as CFO (6 years) and Risk Management Officer (2 years). He later served as partner/manager for a CPA organization. He completed his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Jacksonville University, where he played collegiate football and obtained an MBA in finance from Colorado Tech University. Over the last several years, Daniel has been successfully leading the efforts in Credit Risk to improve the bank’s overall risk profile through liquidations of non-performing assets and effective management of problem loan assets. Daniel and his skilled team have successfully established an appraisal and evaluation management process that serves all the Bank's lenders.

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Joe Cataldo

Area President, Englewood-Boca Grande | Crews Bank & Trust

Joe graduated from Venice High School and later pursued an associate degree in business management from Manatee Community College, now named State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota. Joe’s banking career includes experience in residential and commercial lending and branch management. Directly before joining the Bank, he worked to build relationships as a Commercial Banker with another financial institution in the Venice area.A Charlotte County resident, Joe is involved in the community as a member of the Lemon Bay Sunrise Rotary Club and the Englewood YMCA community board, as well as the Finance and Audit Committee for the Charlotte Community Foundation. Joe also dedicates time serving on the board of Englewood Area Youth Baseball (EAYB), an organization that supports local youth to grow in both sportsmanship and baseball skills.When not at the bank, Joe spends time with his three children and wife of over 15 years exploring the natural beauty of Florida while golfing, boating, fishing, and hunting.

The BankTalk Experience, In Their Words

 

"I always get great value out of a Saltmarsh event. They bring relevant and impactful information to everyone’s attention with speakers who keep your attention and put it in a perspective that you can relate to."

Michelle, The Bank of South Carolina

 
 

"I enjoy the small group setting and the ability to have open, candid conversations with others who are in similar positions."

Joanne, First Community Bank of Tennessee

 

 

"The topics covered are timely and relevant to the challenges and work we are facing in banking today. The speakers are all industry experts!"

Natasha, Pendleton Community Bank

Thank You to Our Sponsors!

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