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This four-part, virtual meeting series is designed to help community bank leaders build a practical, confident understanding of artificial intelligence and its growing role across banking operations. Each session breaks down complex AI concepts into clear, real-world applications—exploring how AI is being used today in areas such as fraud prevention, BSA/AML compliance, customer engagement, operations, and risk management.

Throughout the series, participants will learn how to evaluate AI tools, ask the right questions of vendors, and balance innovation with responsible governance, regulatory expectations, and ethical considerations. Whether you are new to AI or looking to deepen your knowledge, this series provides actionable insights to help your institution adopt AI thoughtfully, strategically, and with confidence.

Pricing

  • Individual session:
    $250 CCBN Member
    $350 Non-member
  • Series package
    $595 CCBN Member
    $695     Non-member

Learn more about each session below:

Part 1 of 4: Understanding What AI is and What it Means for your Bank
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM (PST)
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Artificial intelligence is everywhere in banking conversations—but what does it really mean for community banks? This foundational webinar cuts through the hype to provide a clear, practical introduction to AI, grounded in real-world community banking applications.

In this session, two expert presenters will explain what AI is (and what it isn’t), break down key terms such as machine learning, generative AI, and automation, and highlight how AI is already embedded in everyday banking tools—often without banks realizing it. Attendees will gain a realistic understanding of where AI fits today and how it may shape operations, decision-making, and strategy moving forward.

The webinar will also explore how AI is affecting community banks right now, including potential benefits, risks, and considerations around responsible use. Through practical examples and a guided discussion, bank leaders will learn how to approach AI thoughtfully—without pressure to adopt solutions that don’t align with their institution’s size, culture, or risk appetite.

This session serves as the foundation for a four-part AI webinar series and sets the stage for deeper dives into compliance, risk, and implementation.

Presenters

  • Nora Barefield, Senior Associate Consultant, RLR Management Consulting, Inc.

  • Sriram Tirunellayi, Director of Applied AI, Abrigo

Audience

Community bank executives, senior leadership, compliance, risk, operations professionals, IT, data, and cybersecurity leaders.

Part 2: Compliance, Ethics & Governance
Tuesday, May 5, 2026
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM (PST)
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As community banks begin to encounter artificial intelligence through vendors, internal tools, and emerging technologies, questions around compliance, ethics, and governance quickly come to the forefront. This session is designed to help banks understand how AI fits within existing regulatory frameworks—and what examiners and regulators expect when AI is involved.

In this webinar, presenters will explore AI through a compliance-first lens, focusing on governance structures, documentation, oversight, and accountability. Attendees will learn how AI intersects with fair lending, consumer protection, model risk management, and third-party oversight, as well as how to identify and mitigate potential bias and transparency concerns.

The session will also address what “responsible AI use” looks like for community banks, including the role of boards and senior management, the importance of clear policies and controls, and how to align AI practices with your institution’s values and risk appetite. Through practical examples and discussion, banks will gain clarity on how to prepare for regulatory scrutiny—without overcomplicating their approach.

Presenters

  • Nora Barefield, Senior Associate Consultant, RLR Management Consulting, Inc.

Audience

Compliance officers, compliance managers, risk and governance professionals, bank executives, senior leadership, board and committee members. 

Part 3: Risk Management & Cybersecurity
Tuesday, August 4, 2026
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM (PST)
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Artificial intelligence can improve efficiency and insight—but it also introduces new risks that community banks must understand and manage. This session focuses on how AI changes the risk landscape and what banks can do to protect their systems, data, and customers.

Attendees will learn how AI impacts traditional risk categories, including operational, model, vendor, and data risk. The webinar will examine how AI-driven tools can create new vulnerabilities, how data governance plays a critical role in risk management, and how to evaluate AI-related risks within existing enterprise risk management frameworks.

The session will also explore cybersecurity considerations, including AI-enabled threats, data privacy concerns, and third-party technology risks. Through real-world scenarios and discussion, banks will gain practical guidance on balancing innovation with strong controls and building resilience as AI becomes more prevalent across the industry.

Presenters

  • Nora Barefield, Senior Associate Consultant, RLR Management Consulting, Inc.

Audience

Risk management, ERM professionals, information security, cybersecurity leaders, IT and data management staff, operations and compliance professionals. 


Part 4: Practical Implementation & Readiness
Tuesday, December 1, 2026
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM (PST)
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Many community banks are curious about AI—but unsure how to move from interest to action. This session provides a realistic, step-by-step look at what it takes to implement AI responsibly in a community bank environment.

The webinar will focus on assessing organizational readiness, identifying appropriate and scalable use cases, and evaluating vendors and solutions. Attendees will learn how to align AI initiatives with strategic goals, avoid common pitfalls, and make informed build-versus-buy decisions.

Presenters will also discuss the operational side of AI adoption, including staffing and training considerations, data preparation, internal ownership, policy development, and measuring success. Designed to be practical and approachable, this session helps banks understand how to move forward confidently—without overextending resources or increasing risk.

Presenters

  • Nora Barefield, Senior Associate Consultant, RLR Management Consulting, Inc.

Audience

Bank executives, senior leadership, operations, strategy teams, IT and technology leaders, compliance and risk professionals.