CBA’s Johnson, Senate Banking Committee Member Ruben Gallego, Industry Executives Kick Off CBA LIVE 2026

SAN DIEGO, Calif. - Consumer Bankers Association (CBA) President and CEO Lindsey Johnson today kicked off retail banking's premier annual event - CBA LIVE - with over 1,800 bankers, industry leaders, and policymakers, including:

• U.S. Senate Banking Committee Member Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.);
• Atlantic Union Bank President and COO (and CBA Board Chair) Maria Tedesco;
• U.S. Bank Senior Executive Vice President, Consumer and Business Banking (and CBA Board Chair-Elect) Arijit Roy;
• PNC Head of Retail Banking Alex Overstrom; and
• City National Bank President and CEO Howard Hammond.

CBA's Johnson reiterated how banks have throughout history evolved and adapted to meet consumer needs, which continues today:

"At every turn in American history, banks didn't just adapt to change, we financed it. We enabled industrial expansion. We underwrote growth and innovation. Today is no different. We are financing the economy, including tech and AI, helping the consumer plan for their financial future, all while ensuring that Main Street thrives."

Sen. Gallego conveyed the importance of smart regulation regarding ongoing cryptocurrency market structure negotiations:

"There's a comprise developing that will be a tight balance […] We are keenly aware of the danger of deposit flight […] That means there's capital flight, which means that small businesses won't have access to that [capital]. There has been a louder and bigger presence from the banking industry, which has been greatly appreciated."

Atlantic Union Bank's Tedesco highlighted the importance of leadership and competition in the banking industry, and how they benefit consumers:

"You all have a part in leading the industry […] the reality is, no one bank can navigate in today's environment alone. Not when it comes to fraud, payments, regulations, or meeting expectations. We are all interconnected. We may be competitors, but we need each other to learn from each other."

U.S. Bank's Roy emphasized how artificial intelligence is benefitting both the retail banking industry and consumers alike:

"When you think of the moment when the human touch is most critical in banking, it is at the point of resolution [...] at the same time, there are new technologies that are helping to free up humans. These are making a meaningful difference in improving the customer experience."

PNC's Overstrom expressed the importance of the traditional branch banking experience:

"It's the ability to create a uniquely different banking experience, and one that is human. The branch banking experience has a knock-on effect across channels and our consumers. It's what our small business and consumers want."

City National Bank's Hammond expressed his optimism for the future of the retail banking industry:

"I think you're seeing consumer trust come back [...] coming out of the financial crisis, we lost the basic narrative of who we are and why we do what we do. You all put people in homes, help them retire with dignity, and educate their children. Every one of these things is so critical. The future is ours to take and I'm very optimistic about this industry, about the need for people have for our banks to be in people's lives."

Looking Ahead

Highlights for tomorrow, March 31, include:

• SoFi CEO Anthony Noto will deliver remarks on reinventing the consumer bank model at 9:05 a.m. PDT;
• JPMorgan Private Bank Head of Behavioral Science Jeff Kreisler will deliver remarks on the customer as a compass at 9:30 a.m. PDT;
• Circle President Heath Tarbert will deliver remarks on stablecoins and the future of money at 10 a.m. PDT;
• U.S. House Financial Services Committee Chair French Hill (R-Ark.) will participate in a fireside chat with former Santander Bank N.A. President and CEO Timothy Wennes about banking's legislative moment at 12:55 p.m. PDT;
• Experian North America Chief Economist Joseph Mayans will deliver remarks about the trends that matter now at 1:20 p.m. PDT;
• University of Michigan Institute for Social Research Associate Professor Joanne Hsu will deliver remarks about what consumer sentiment reveals about the economy ahead at 1:45 p.m. PDT; and
• Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman will deliver remarks about the policy landscape ahead at 2:10 p.m. PDT.

To view the full detailed schedule, click HERE. To view the LIVEstream, click HERE.

Background

In its 17th year, CBA LIVE is the must-attend annual event for the retail banking industry. Nearly 2,000 senior bankers and industry leaders gather from across the country to experience this premier event, which offers 80+ hours of top-notch programming, delivered by 230 speakers, tailored toward professionals motivated to learn new trends and share ideas with the most influential decision makers in the business.