Amid the past year’s shifting political environment, replete with rapidly changing regulation, the coming year will be among the most crucial to get out, network, and see what business and partnership possibilities the banking sector is talking about and making happen.
Gatherings like the ones listed below can be idea generators. Or they can act like gauges or mirrors as executives and banks measure where their thinking is, in comparison to innovators and competitors.
They can also serve as a chance to check in on the status of burgeoning technology, such as artificial intelligence, as well as the evolving offerings of fintechs and the ever-changing expectations of compliance.
Top banking conferences in 2026
Feb. 10-11
InterContinental, O2, London, U.K.
This jaunt overseas boasts a higher quotient of senior banking officers and investors than other conferences in the fintech space. You can expect the British banks to show, sure — last year’s event saw attendees from HSBC, Barclays, Lloyds and StanChart. But, increasingly, U.S. banks like Citi, Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase, as well as European banks Santander, ING, Deutsche and UBS and fintechs such as OakNorth are sending representatives, too.
ABA Conference for Community Bankers
Feb. 15-17
JW Marriott Grande Lakes, Orlando, Florida
Tailored toward smaller banks that think big, this executive management conference offers strategies, contacts and insights into profitability, human capital, technology, innovation, payments and commercial real estate lending.
March 2-3
Westin, Denver, Colorado
This is for bankers responsible for bringing AI from the experimental phase to strategic deployment. Billed as a summit for collaboration, learning and action, the program touches on predictive risk modeling, AI-driven payments, compliance automation and ethical governance.
March 6-9
San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, California
Couched as the largest annual gathering of community bankers, the Independent Community Bankers of America’s annual event boasts sessions on workforce development, digital innovation, lending, risk, growth and strategy.
March 9-11
Marriott Marquis Washington D.C.
Promises insight from lawmakers and policy innovators. Last year’s event featured remarks from FDIC Acting Chair Travis Hill, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Senate Banking Committee Chair Tim Scott and Democratic Sens. Ruben Gallego and Mark Warner.
March 30-April 1
Hilton San Diego Bayfront, San Diego, California
A retail-banking mecca, this year’s event by the Consumer Bankers Association drew more than 1,700 attendees and discussions featuring then-Acting Comptroller of the Currency Rodney Hood, the consumer-banking chief at Fifth Third and the CEO of Valley Bank.
April 13-15
Aria, Las Vegas, Nevada
A gathering centered on strategy sessions. But its features include “Forum X,” a series of short keynotes in the style of TEDx talks. It also features “CMO Masterminds,” with conversations tailored toward the marketing side of banking. It typically draws talent from outside the finance sphere — past keynotes have featured NBA star-turned-entrepreneur Magic Johnson, supermodel emerita Cindy Crawford and renowned animal trainer Cesar Millan.
May 5-7
Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina, San Diego, California
One entrepreneur allegedly called this event a “fintech petting zoo.” But beyond fintech, it draws established names, including attendees from each of the top 10 banks in the U.S. by assets under management.
June 2-4, the RAI, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Money20/20’s marquee annual blowout may be stateside in the fall, but those looking for a primer (or a good excuse to cross the pond) could gather here. High-profile speakers from 2025’s event included HSBC’s newly minted CFO, ING’s CEO, NatWest’s chief payments officer, and the head of the Bank of England’s digital pound project.
Sept. 14-15
Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, Chicago, Illinois
Expect a focus on open banking, customer experience and engagement, API-driven partnerships and AI. Among 2025’s speakers were Truist’s Dontá Wilson and Santander’s Swati Bhatia, along with executives from Citizens Bank, Fifth Third, Old National, TD and more.
Conferences marked with an asterisk are owned by Informa TechTarget, the parent company of Industry Dive.
