Keynote Speaker: Ken Smith

Senior Director of Research & Information Services

Huntsville/Madison County Chamber

Huntsville’s Economic Engine: Drivers Behind the Growth    

The Huntsville metro area is one of the leading technology communities in the country and is outpacing the U.S. in growth and economic recovery. This rising star of Alabama has the highest concentration of engineers in the country and is ranked #3 for STEM workers behind San Jose and Boulder. Ken Smith will talk about the key factors driving this growth and discuss Huntsville’s comprehensive master plan – The BIG Picture - which is a five year strategy to direct the future of economic growth, neighborhood redevelopment, transportation and quality of life for Huntsville residents and businesses. Ken will describe how this plan has guided funding and policy decisions for Huntsville as well as what it means to the city’s economic forecast for 2023 and beyond.

Speaker: Dan Baum

Senior Vice President, Head of Payments Product Management
Federal Reserve Financial Services – FedNowService

Prepare to Accelerate Your Business with Instant Payments    

The Federal Reserve is paving the way for an industry transition toward ubiquitous, faster payments in the U.S. With real-time clearing and settlement capabilities to support a broad range of transaction types and use cases, FedNow, The Fed’s instant payments service, promises to empower financial institutions, technology providers, and businesses to serve the hyper digital world of tomorrow. This session gives payments leaders a look into the developments that are forthcoming, the benefits of instant payment, and outlines why taking action today is paramount to stay ahead or else risk falling behind. Leave this session empowered with the knowledge your organization needs to embrace instant payments.

Speaker: Matthew Graham

Vice President of Corporate Strategy and Investments
Graham & Company, LLC

Bouncing Back: 2022 Commercial Real Estate Outlook   

Graham & Co was recognized in 6 of the 23 "CRE Deals of the Year" for the year
2021, according to the Birmingham Business Journal. Matthew Graham will
provide insight on how Graham & Co prevailed during the turmoil and
uncertainty brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and how they reacted to the
surge in commercial real estate transactions in 2021. Economic, social and
digital disruptions combined to force a change in how CRE is developed, financed
and used. He will discuss how those factors influenced financial decisions at
Graham & Co and what they foresee for the short and long-term in their
industry.

Speaker: Patricia (‘Patty’) Phillips Cobb,CPA, CTP

Vice President – Cash Management

Protective Life Corporation

Speaker:Jeff Taylor, CTP
Senior Vice President, TM Commercial Fraud Forensics & Payments Strategy
Regions Bank

Speaker:Stan Sargent
President & Chief Executive Officer
Clear Winds Technologies

Fraud Prevention Panel: Payments, Cybersecurity, and Other Scary Stuff    

Every fraud prevention journey can benefit from more good ideas and lessons
from best practices. Join industry leaders in a panel discussion about the
evolving payment fraud techniques, how to adapt to those changes and insights
to ensure long-term protection against attacks.

Speaker: Jorge Jimenez

Chairman
Juniper Payments LLC & Global Fintech Forum LLC

Making Heads or Tails of the New Payments Rails      

What are Digital Currencies such as Crypto? What are the Central Banks payment differences between RTP, FedNowSM, and Fedwire? How does it all work? What should your position be? How do you move forward today and prepare for what is next?

This session aims at cutting through the noise about upcoming and new payment rails while describing a few examples of how a financial institution and a business can benefit from using new tools and approaches to compete and gain a new footing in a changing environment.

Speaker: Christopher Ruscitti, CTP, APPSC, AOCSC
Senior Vice President, Solutions Advisor, Treasury Solutions Group
PNC Bank

Advanced Artificial Intelligence for Accounts Receivable     

Details of remittance payments can differ, depending on a remitter’s A/P process, system data formats, reference fields, deductions and adjustments. Learn how artificial intelligence (AI) tools — like machine learning, robotic process automation and algorithms — are simplifying the A/R process for accounts receivable teams, while also increasing cash application hit rates and reducing operating costs.

• How machine learning can improve the A/R posting process and customer posting
• ROI factors to consider when evaluating AI options for A/R posting
• How to integrate advanced A/R tech