John Adams

Instant payments are rapidly becoming foundational to modern banking—but access to rails like RTP and FedNow is no longer the differentiator. The real competitive advantage is shifting to orchestration. As payment flows fragment across multiple domestic and cross-border networks, banks must intelligently route transactions, manage real-time liquidity, embed fraud and identity decisioning, and deliver seamless customer experiences—all in milliseconds.

This panel brings together senior banking leaders to explore how orchestration is emerging as the control layer for instant payments. The discussion will examine how institutions are balancing speed with risk, integrating treasury and payments functions, and rethinking their technology stacks to avoid fragmentation and vendor lock-in. Panelists will also address where new value is being created—from data and premium services to AI-driven routing—and how banks can position themselves to compete in an ecosystem increasingly shaped by fintechs and real-time network operators.

At stake is a critical question: will orchestration become a core banking competency—or a commoditized layer controlled by others?

By 2027, payments will be instant, embedded, and largely invisible—shifting the competitive frontier away from access to rails and toward control of the intelligence layer that governs every transaction. As multi-rail complexity accelerates and AI enables real-time decisioning, the real value in payments is concentrating in how transactions are routed, funded, authenticated, and optimized.

This panel brings together senior banking leaders to examine how institutions can evolve from payment providers to orchestrators of money movement. The discussion will explore how banks can embed fraud and identity into the flow, dynamically manage liquidity, and deliver “best execution” across rails—while unlocking new revenue streams from data, insights, and programmable payments. At stake is a defining strategic question: will banks own the decisioning layer—or cede it to networks, fintechs, and platforms that sit closer to the customer?

The panel will explore:

• Unified payments + treasury architecture (not siloed systems).
• Real-time fraud + identity embedded in the flow.
• API-first distribution into ecosystems.
• AI-driven decisioning, not static rules.
• Willingness to monetize intelligence, not just transactions.

This panel will share insights on the evolving needs of small businesses, and how leveraging modern spend management tools and software can simplify and enhance their operations.

Among the things you’ll learn:

• How spend management tools can help simplify operations and protect cash flow for small businesses.
• The importance of designing seamless and easy-to-use tools to meet business clients where they are.
• The role banks can play in delivering these tools to business clients at scale.

As small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) navigate an increasingly complex marketplace, leveraging the power of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) offers transformative opportunities. This session will explore how banks can utilize their Banking Operating System (BOS) to empower SMBs across all verticals, creating seamless banking experiences that drive growth and efficiency. Hear the latest innovative applications of GenAI, share success stories, and outline strategies for banks to enhance their SMB offerings, ultimately reimagining commerce in a digital-first world.

Among the things you’ll learn:

• Understanding GenAI’s role: Learn how Generative AI can revolutionize commerce for SMBs by providing personalized solutions and insights.
• Empowering SMBs: Discover how banks can leverage their BOS to deliver tailored services that meet the unique needs of small businesses.
• Creating seamless experiences: Explore strategies for integrating GenAI to streamline banking processes and enhance customer satisfaction.