Zain Tariq

Senior Analyst, FIG Research - S&P Global Market Intelligence

Zain Tariq manages a team of research analysts at S&P Global Market Intelligence and produces data-driven research. The team is primarily responsible for providing data insights on the U.S. financial and real estate industries. He has covered the banking space for over eight years including regulatory changes, financial trends, branch footprints, and M&A. Prior to joining S&P, Zain collected experience as a finance officer and accountant for multiple organizations. Zain completed his ACCA in 2018. In addition to the ACCA, he completed BSc (Hons) in Applied Accounting from Oxford Brookes University in 2011 and MSc in Finance from BPP Business School in 2013.

Dan Marks

President, Growth Solutions, OptimaFI

Dan Marks leads the client strategy, service, creative, and marketing teams for OptimaFI. He has over 20 years experience helping financial services companies grow profitably by applying data driven and digital strategies. Dan joined OptimaFI after serving for 5 years as the Chief Marketing Officer at Hancock Whitney where assets increased from $22B to over $30B during his tenure. Dan’s other experience includes a progression of roles at First Horizon including 5 years as Chief Marketing Officer, head of financial services marketing for a national retailer, and an early stint at Vention in analyst/client services roles. Dan has a BS in Accounting from Belhaven University and a Master of Business Administration from Vanderbilt University. Dan is frequently asked to speak live or digitally on data driven strategy, digital, and financial services marketing all over the world and has contributed to numerous articles and books. His leadership has been recognized at the national CMO Awards and as a national "Top 100 Marketing Leader."

Brian Love

Head of Banking and Fintech, Travillian

Brian Love's 15+ years in sales, relationship, and project management within the Banking Industry make him a unique, dependable Executive Recruiting partner for any Financial Institution. Deft industry knowledge allows Brian to share an identifiable perspective with his candidates and clients. Building a long-term, trust-based relationship is paramount and integrity comes first in every decision. As a banker, Brian excelled at effective networking while always jumping at the opportunity to add value to his clients with integrity, patience, and hands-on, focused service. He has won multi-million dollar deposit and lending relationships through his commercial business development efforts. Brian was also involved in Technological and Operational initiatives as well, like Mobile Banking application design and Prepaid Card program implementation. Now, as a recruiter, he utilizes the same skills to deliver unparalleled service with a top-notch consultative approach.

Trey Maust

Chief Innovation Officer, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

Trey Maust is the Chief Innovation Officer of the FDIC, where he guides the agency’s efforts to promote innovation and technology adoption within the FDIC and across the financial services sector, while strengthening how the agency understands, evaluates, and supervises innovation across the banking system. Trey spent the first decade of his career in public accounting and M&A. He later co-founded a de novo bank and led the institution from formation to maturity, ultimately serving as its Executive Chairman. He was a founding board member and later the Chief Executive Officer of a financial sector operational resilience initiative that covered nearly three-quarters of the nation’s deposit accounts and retail brokerage client assets. He subsequently co-founded and led a company focused on integrating the raw materials of banking into the products, platforms, and workflows of financial technology companies and commercial enterprises. Throughout his career, Trey has held leadership, board, and chairmanship roles with numerous state and national banking organizations and private enterprises, and has advised regulatory bodies on banking policy, supervision, and industry modernization. Trey is also a licensed Certified Public Accountant.

Katie Klug

Chief Deposit Officer, Bridgewater Bank

As the Twin Cities’ go-to entrepreneurial business banking expert, Katie Klug serves as Chief Deposit Officer at Bridgewater Bank. She helps clients achieve their goals and maximize their success. Katie was recognized as one of the Top Women in Finance by Finance & Commerce in 2022 and one of Twin Cities Business’ Notable Women in Banking & Finance in 2024.

Erik Beguin

CEO, Austin Capital Bank

Erik Beguin is the founder and CEO of Austin Capital Bank, a Texas-based financial institution recognized nationally as a leader in financial innovation and community banking. Under his leadership, the bank has earned a spot on the Inc. 5000 for seven consecutive years, served more than a million customers through its own fintech brands, and partnered with leading fintechs via banking-as-a-service infrastructure and proprietary technology platforms. Erik has pioneered standout products including CreditStrong, which helps consumers build credit responsibly, and Fort Knox, a high-security savings account built to combat financial fraud. He has also helped shape national banking policy through advisory roles with the Federal Reserve and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Earlier in his career, he held roles at KPMG, Procter & Gamble, and Works, Inc., a payments fintech acquired by Bank of America. Erik is a sought-after speaker on fraud prevention, bank-fintech partnerships, and the future of community banking.

Steve Young

Chief Strategy Officer, SouthState Bank

Stephen D. Young serves as Chief Strategy Officer for SouthState Bank Corporation. His responsibilities include oversight of Strategic Planning, Correspondent Banking, Residential Mortgage, Wealth Management, Human Resources and Balance Sheet Management. He also chairs the company’s ALCO Committee and assists with mergers and acquisitions. Prior to the merger with SouthState, Young served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of CenterState Bank Corporation and its bank subsidiary. He joined CenterState in 2002 as Senior Vice President and Treasurer of CenterState Holding Company and also served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of CenterState Bank of Florida, N.A. Before joining CenterState, Young served as a senior auditor at Deloitte & Touche LLP, a big four accounting firm, located in Greenville, SC as well as a regional accounting firm where he served clients primarily in the financial services and restaurant businesses. Steve is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting at Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC. An active member of the community, Young serves on various non-profit boards.

Joe Wicklander

President, Treasury Solutions & Payments, Old National Bank

Joe Wicklander leads Old National Bank’s Treasury Solutions & Payments division within the Commercial Bank, where he oversees strategy and execution across Treasury Management, Merchant Services, Foreign Exchange, Liquidity Solutions, and the FinTech and Financial Institutions businesses. In this role, Joe is focused on enhancing both internal and external client experiences, with an emphasis on building a more dynamic, data-driven, and process-oriented organization to meet the evolving needs of ONB’s clients.

Bobby Martin

Co-Founder and CEO, Vertical IQ

Bobby Martin is co-founder and CEO of Vertical IQ, a leading provider of industry intelligence insights for banks, CPAs, consultants, and advisors. Bobby spent seven years as a business banker in Wilmington, NC before starting his first sales intelligence company. Through his experience leading and selling that company to a Fortune 500 firm, he’s learned firsthand the challenges and solutions at each stage of entrepreneurial growth, which has led to his 2016 book, The Hockey Stick Principles.