Regional and Community Banking Forum 2026
Finastra Event

Braselton GA,
United States

Regional & Community Banking Forum 2026

Sponsored by Microsoft

Chateau Elan, 100 Rue Charlemagne Dr.
Braselton, GA 30517

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Finastra’s premier event for US regional and community banks

The Finastra Regional & Community Banking Forum is an exclusive, invitation-only event at Chateau Elan, a premier resort and winery in North Georgia.

The event brings together senior thought leaders from Finastra, Microsoft, and select industry experts for a focused program designed to support your institution’s strategic priorities today and into the future.

Event highlights

  • June 3: Welcome reception for all attendees
  • June 4: Full day of presentations and panels covering technology modernization, digital currency, agentic AI, cloud strategy, and more - followed by a dinner for all guests
  • June 5: Half-day Payments track offering deeper dive content for Payments leaders

You’ll have the opportunity to connect with presenters and peers throughout the event, including networking sessions and a closing reception.

This complimentary event (excluding hotel, travel and incidentals) is designed to provide leaders with actionable insights and perspectives on navigating a rapidly evolving landscape.

Image of attendees talking after a conference

Agenda

Times are in Eastern Daylight Time.

*Agenda is subject to change.

June 3, 2026

June 4, 2026

Thought leadership plenary sessions


Finastra product-focused breakout sessions

Click on each button to view the schedule for each track.

June 5, 2026

Finastra product-focused breakout sessions

Click on each button to view the schedule for each track.

Keynotes

Kathryn Judge

Conference Host

Kathryn Judge

Expert in Banking, Central Banking and Financial Regulation

With a commitment to strengthen the financial system, Kathryn is a leading scholar of banking, central banking, financial crises and regulatory design. As the Harvey J. Goldschmid Professor of Law at Columbia Law School, her work bridges academia, policy and practice. She chairs the European Corporate Governance Institute’s Research Committee, co chairs the Better Markets Academic Advisory Board, and serves on several nonprofit and corporate boards. Earlier in her career, she clerked for Judge Richard Posner and Justice Stephen Breyer.

Nancy Giordano

Opening Keynote

Nancy Giordano

Exponential Strategist and Business Futurist

Driven to help enterprises and leaders meet rising expectations, Nancy is a top female futurist and the world’s first TEDx licensee. A best‑selling author, podcast co‑founder, and mother of three, her work spans AI, food, and digital reinvention. Across conferences, startups, and advisory roles, she focuses on replacing extractive, industrial‑era systems with regenerative, inclusive solutions shaped by the intersection of technology, business, and human consciousness. She has advised AI startups for nearly a decade and champions emerging economic movements globally.

Speakers

Chris Walters
John Pace
David Demsko
Radha Suvarna - Chief Product Officer, Payments Finastra
Rick Foresta
Uzair Hussain
William Littlefield
Mike Stawchansky
Matthew Thompson
Andrew Bateman
Barry Rodrigues
Lisa Pierce
Brenda Stoerkel
Jason Celen
Jeff Grobaski
Thomas Orr
Mihail Duta
Mike Vigue
Ian Fallon
Faizan Khan
Adnan Khan
Jamie Florio
Phil Pratt
Brian Keefe
Robert Mancini

Hotel and Travel

Hotel Accommodations

Guest rooms at the Chateau Elan are available at a special rate of $229.00 per night. If you wish to extend your stay this rate applies for 3 days before and 3 days after the event if rooms are available.

If you would like to add shoulder dates, you can contact the Resort Reservations team directly at 678-425-0900. They will be able to extend your stay at the group rate based on availability. Please mention the event name Finastra Regional & Community Banking Forum 2026 when editing reservation.

The Chateau has also waived their resort fee for our attendees and you will receive the following amenities at no charge:

  • Resort pool access with poolside fire pit lounging
  • Daily winery tour
  • Recreational club access (tennis, basketball and volleyball courts)
  • Driving range access (one complimentary range token; call Pro Shop for availability)
  • Tennis court access (call Pro Shop to reserve court time)
  • Resort bicycles (available 9:00am-5:00pm)
  • Resort shuttle service to winery, spa and golf courses *Activities can be booked separately
  • Fitness center access
  • Wireless internet and unlimited local calls
  • Live entertainment on weekends
Chateau Elan

Travel information

The closet major airport to Chateau Elan is Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). The venue is about 60 miles from the airport. You will be responsible for your own transportation from the airport to the Chateau, but we will be offering a shuttle bus service back to the airport on Friday, June 5th. If would rather make your own way back to the airport we recommend booking your taxi or ride-share the day before your departure.

Uber/Lyft

  • Exit baggage claim
  • Follow signs for “Ride App Pickup”
  • Go to the Ground Transportation area
  • Head to the designated Uber/Lyft pickup zones:
  • Usually labeled North Economy Lot or South Economy Lot
  • Confirm your zone number in the app (e.g., Zone A, B, etc.)

Taxis

  • Follow signs for “Ground Transportation” → “Taxi”
  • Go to the Ground Transportation Center (GTC), Aisle A
  • Taxis are lined up—you don’t need to book ahead

Private transfer

Private Car / Limo Services

  • Companies like Atlanta Luxury Rides or Grand Limousine Atlanta
  • Price: ~$120–$250 depending on vehicle

Rental Car (Alternative)

  • Companies like Enterprise Rent-A-Car or Hertz
  • ~$50–$100/day + gas

Frequently Asked Questions

Please register via this registration link, or using any of the "Register now" buttons around the page.

There is no charge to attend the event itself. Transportation and hotel accommodation are the responsibility of the attendee. We do offer a discounted rate at the venue hotel, but you can stay elsewhere if you choose.

Any existing Finastra customer who has received an invitation is welcome to attend.

Please visit the Agenda section for details on the different schedules. Please click on the buttons to view further details of the track you wish to attend.

The sessions, meals and receptions at the event are open for registered attendees only. There is no official programming provided for family or friends but if they would like to stay with you and enjoy nearby attractions while you attend the sessions, they are more than welcome.

For the sessions at the event business casual is recommended. For the evening reception(s) business casual or resort casual are acceptable.

Please see your selected track in the Agenda section for details.

Yes. The preferred rate of $229.00 per night is available for 3 days before and after the event. Room availability on these days is not guaranteed and will be assigned on a first-come-first-served basis.

Please send us an email at finastraevents@emcme.com and we’ll do our best to answer any additional questions.

We’re excited to share that User Connect, Finastra’s premier conference and training event for community bank and credit union customers, will return in March 2027. More details, including registration, agenda highlights, and session information, will be announced soon. We look forward to connecting with you again at User Connect 2027.

The former Finastra Payments Regional Banking Forum has evolved into the Regional Community and Banking Forum, reflecting an expanded focus and broader scope. In addition to payments, the forum now also encompasses lending and broader banking business topics, creating a more holistic platform for regional and community banks to share insights, discuss industry challenges, and explore innovation across the full spectrum of their business.

The forum will be held in Chateau Elan. An award-winning destination recognized among the South’s leading resorts. Nestled in the rolling foothills of North Georgia, the 3,500-acre estate blends vineyard heritage with refined hospitality. As the state’s largest and most celebrated wine producer, Chateau Elan offers daily tours and tastings that showcase the craftsmanship behind its 30 handcrafted wines. Guests enjoy five chef-driven restaurants, a distinctive speakeasy and rare bourbon bar, a French-inspired café, poolside mixology, and the resort’s signature afternoon tea beneath a striking glass-topped atrium — where world-class dining meets warm Southern hospitality. View more activities on the website.

Finastra’s premier event for
US regional and community banks