Members of our Banking & Financial Services Industry Team attended the "Acquire or Be Acquired" (AOBA) conference hosted by Bank Director on February 1–3 in Phoenix, Arizona. This conference seems to grow considerably every year, and this year approximately 2,200 banking professionals gathered in the desert to discuss the status of the banking industry in the United States and consider matters impacting its environment for growth this year and beyond. Despite the name, not all participants are bankers looking to become buyers or sellers in a merger or acquisition, and many topics discussed were just as relevant for bankers looking to grow organically in 2026. A few of the more interesting topics we heard discussed — by presenters or panelists as part of the planned program, by investment bankers during meetings off the agenda, or otherwise — are listed below: Continue reading >