Christan Weflen
-4.png)
The 2025 Bank Trainers Conference brought financial professionals together in Orlando from across the country to explore the strategies, technologies, and trends driving the next era of banking. One recurring theme was clear: in a time of rapid transformation, institutions that prioritize adaptability, leadership, and innovation will be best positioned for long-term success.
Vision and Purpose Drive Meaningful Change
Devon Harris, Olympian, motivational speaker, and author of Keep On Pushing, opened the conference with a powerful keynote on resilience, growth, and purpose.
Devon added,
“If you’re not failing, you’re not trying hard enough. Failure isn’t fatal.”His message challenged attendees to reframe setbacks as stepping stones toward success.
Harris introduced the “Four C’s of Vision” as a framework for leadership:
- Conquer: See beyond current limitations.
- Connection: Recognize the value of every part of the organization.
- Confidence: Lead with clarity and conviction.
- Calling: Align with a deeper purpose.
Financial institutions that clearly define their purpose and empower employees to connect daily tasks to that purpose create more resilient and engaged teams. Purpose fuels persistence, inspires innovation, and provides the framework for transformation.
Leadership Through Influence Fuels Growth
Todd Weiden, Founder and CEO of SalteeCo, emphasized that leadership is not about hierarchy; it’s about influence. True leaders serve others, remove barriers, and foster growth.
Weiden shared his G.A.M.E. framework for influential leadership:
- Growth Mindset: Stay curious and resilient
- Accountability: Set clear expectations and follow through.
- Mind of a Coach: Build trust and unlock potential.
- Energy: Lead with authenticity and enthusiasm.
When leaders choose to serve and coach with intention, they create cultures of learning, trust, and performance.
AI Is No Longer Optional
Jim Marous, host of the Banking Transformed Podcast and Co-Publisher at The Financial Brand, delivered a compelling session on the urgency of AI adoption. AI is not a future trend; it’s a present necessity.
His key insights included:
- AI Literacy: Every employee should understand AI’s potential.
- Hyper-Personalization: AI enables tailored training and customer engagement.
- Human-AI Collaboration: Technology enhances, but empathy leads.
Banks and credit unions have differentiated themselves through personal relationships. Without AI, that advantage risks becoming a vulnerability. FIs must embrace AI to deepen member understanding and deliver personalized service at scale.
Customer Experience Is Still the Ultimate Differentiator
EJ Kritz, our Chief Experience Officer, reminded attendees that even amid tech and leadership conversations, customer experience remains central.
Today’s customers expect empathy, connection, and trust, not just transactions. EJ highlighted tools like the HEAT model (Hear, Empathize, Apologize, Take Action) and the importance of balancing digital convenience with human engagement.
When customers walk into a branch, they’re seeking connection. Financial institutions must ensure those moments deliver meaningful experiences that reinforce loyalty.
People, Power, and Transformation
The conference underscored a critical truth: transformation is driven by people, not just strategy.
- Equip and empower employees to align with institutional vision.
- Model adaptability and growth at the leadership level.
- Hire for potential and cultural fit, not just experience.
Strategy sets the course, but people move it forward.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 Bank Trainers Conference spotlighted the banking industry's evolving landscape and the human-centered strategies needed to thrive. Whether through leadership, AI, or customer experience, the path forward for 2026 is: invest in people, embrace innovation, and stay rooted in purpose.
For community banks and credit unions, the AI conversation was especially urgent. Adopting technology isn’t just about keeping up; it’s about preserving the personal touch that defines their value.
The insights from Devon Harris, Todd Weiden, EJ Kritz, Jim Marous, and others reflect what institutions are experiencing every day. Success isn’t about choosing between leadership, technology, or experience - it’s about integrating them to build relevance and results that last.
