CBA Recognizes 75 Years of Executive Banking School With Celebratory Moments

Retail Banking's Premier Advanced Educational Program Returns July 19-29, 2026, in Greenville, S.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Consumer Bankers Association (CBA) today announced nearly 400 bankers will attend its 75th annual Executive Banking School (EBS), the premier advanced educational program to prepare the next generation of retail bankers. This year's EBS will take place from July 19-29 at Furman University in Greenville, S.C.

Recognizing the upcoming start of the 75th EBS and the importance of the program in developing the future leaders of retail banking, CBA President and CEO Lindsey Johnson said:

"CBA's Executive Banking School has set the standard for developing the next generation of retail banking leaders for 75 years. The program's enduring success reflects both the strength of its faculty and its ability to evolve alongside a rapidly changing industry, equipping rising executives with the foundational and practical skills, strategic perspective, and leadership experience they need to succeed. As we welcome another record-breaking class to Greenville for this milestone year, we are proud to continue a tradition that has strengthened our industry and the institutions that serve Main Streets across the country."

EBS 2026 At-a-Glance

• Across years 1-3, students will represent 37 various institutions
• The average student will have 18 years of banking experience
• Huntington Bank will represent the largest share of students
• More students will come from Ohio than any other state

EBS is the premier developmental program for rising leaders in the industry and for 75 years has equipped students with a deep understanding and appreciation of how various segments of retail banking are interrelated. It also provides students with the ability to develop meaningful relationships with bankers from across the country. Ninety-three percent of the faculty are full-time and retired bankers representing various leadership positions across their banks.

Over the course of three years, for 10 days each summer, and through curriculum throughout the year, students will learn:

• Year 1 - Head of Retail Perspective: Focusing on how to manage the retail segment of a bank. This includes sessions on acquiring, segmenting and retaining customers, designing and pricing products, and effectively tailoring marketing messages.
• Year 2 - CFO and CRO Perspective: Focusing on concepts for managing a bank's profitability. This includes sessions on analyzing financial data to measure future performance and how to assess and manage risk.
• Year 3 - CEO Perspective: Focusing on managing a bank from the top down. This includes sessions on C-Suite level decisions, including how to consider analysts' recommendations, structure a merger, and evaluate key economic indicators.

Additionally, EBS 2026 students will hear directly from:

• Lindsey Johnson, President and CEO, CBA - Industry and Policy Updates
• Jay Brogdon, President, Simmons Bank - CEO Perspective
• Daniel Hobbs, Chief Financial Officer, Simmons Bank - CFO Perspective
• Brad Yaney, Chief Credit Risk Officer, Simmons Bank - CRO Perspective
• Meghan Milloy, Head of Communications, Institute of International Finance - Public Relations: Hot Topics of the Day
• Jimmy Stead, Chief Consumer Banking and Technology Officer, Frost Bank - Head of Retail Perspective
• Dana Nolan, Head of Investor Relations, Regions Bank (Retired) - Investor Relations Perspective
• David Pommerehn, EVP, General Counsel, Head of Regulatory Affairs, CBA - Regulatory Updates
• Kyle Glenn, SVP, Head of Legislative Affairs, CBA - Legislative Updates
• Adam Stockton, Managing Director, Curinos - Banking in 2026
• Lucas Malambri, VP, Advisory, Curinos - Banking in 2026
• Mark Pregmon, Former CBA Board Member - M&A Perspective
• Ryan Curley, Managing Director and Partner, Boston Consulting Group - Bank Strategy
• Annie Bullock, Partner, Boston Consulting Group - Bank Strategy
• Trish Wexler, Managing Director, Corporate Communications, JPMorganChase - Public Relations: Hot Topics of the Day

The Importance of 75 Years

CBA's Executive Banking School first began as the School of Consumer Banking in 1952 at the University of Virginia in response to the growing demand for knowledge of retail banking. As the banking industry evolved, CBA's banking school adapted both its curriculum and identity.

In 1972, it was renamed the Graduate School of Consumer Banking to better reflect the level of instruction, in 1988 it changed to the Graduate school of Retail Bank Management as it focused more on retail banking leadership, and adopted its current name - CBA Executive Banking School - in 2015. Throughout its history, EBS has continuously updated its curriculum to keep pace with the banking industry, including the development of the Market Sim curriculum in 2002, while ensuring that the core principles of what it takes to run a retail bank are maintained and strengthened. In 2008, EBS moved to Furman University, where it continues to be held today.

EBS continues to fulfill the consistent demand for expertise and leadership in the consumer banking and bank management space, as leadership from every business and administrative area of participating financial institutions come to learn.

A History of Excellence

Alumni from CBA's Executive Banking School have gone on to become leaders within the industry. Some notable graduates include:

• Wayne Akins (1992) - Chief Community Banking Officer, Synovus
• Archie Brown (1996) - President and CEO, First Financial
• Previous CBA Board Chair and Current Board Member Quincy Miller (2004) - President and Vice Chairman, Eastern Bank
• Previous CBA Board Chair Andy Harmening (2006) - President and CEO, Associated Bank
• Seth Waller (2012) - Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer, EverBank
• Ali Maher (2012) - Executive Vice President and Head of Consumer Deposit Products and Payments, Regions
• Mary Kate Loftus (2013) - President, Impressia Bank
• Daniel Hobbs (2015), Chief Financial Officer, Simmons Bank
• Lori Von Heyking (2018) - Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, Woodforest
• Among many others!

Additional Resources

• To learn more about the 2026 EBS Curriculum, click HERE.
• To learn more about the 2025 EBS graduating class, click HERE.

If you are interested in speaking with CBA President and CEO Lindsey Johnson, members of the faculty, or students attending the 2026 Executive Banking School, please contact Weston Loyd at [email protected].