Artificial Intelligence, faster payments, fraud prevention, customer experience, and data strategy are increasingly connected challenges for community banks. Combined, they are reshaping how banks compete, serve customers, manage risk, and plan for the future.

That will be the focus of the innovation presentation at the 55th Annual Convention, led by Wayne Miller, Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer at ICBA. In his role, Miller oversees the organization’s

innovation initiatives, including the ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator and educational programs designed to help banks evaluate and implement technology partnerships.

Miller works with community banks nationwide on innovation strategy, fintech partnerships, digital banking, AI, and emerging technologies. His presentation will examine how these changes are

affecting the banking landscape and where community banks should be paying attention now.

According to Miller, artificial intelligence is already changing how banks operate, from fraud detection and loan support to improving responsiveness and efficiency across customer service channels.

“AI can help banks work faster and smarter,” Miller said. “But better data becomes the foundation that makes those tools accurate and useful.”

The presentation will also explore the growing conversation around stablecoins and modern payment technologies, including the potential impact on

liquidity management, payments infrastructure, and the role community banks continue to play within the financial system.

Also at the center of the discussion is a broader shift in how banks think about customer relationships.

“In a world where customers interact across apps, branches, call centers, and digital channels, the relationship is no longer defined by a single account or a single touchpoint,” Miller said. “It is defined by how well a bank knows the customer, anticipates needs, protects against fraud, and delivers value across the full journey.”

The session will encourage attendees to think beyond individual tools or trends and instead focus on how innovation, trust, and long-term strategy fit together.

“My hope is that bankers leave with a better understanding of the landscape and a clearer way to think about building stronger strategies for a fast-changing world,” Miller said.