{"id":167187,"date":"2026-10-28T21:18:26","date_gmt":"2026-10-29T02:18:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/?p=167187"},"modified":"2026-10-28T21:18:27","modified_gmt":"2026-10-29T02:18:27","slug":"banking-and-finance-symposium-celebrates-25th-year-with-big-agenda","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/banking-and-finance-symposium-celebrates-25th-year-with-big-agenda\/","title":{"rendered":"Banking and Finance Symposium Celebrates 25th Year with Big Agenda"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em>UM to honor banking pioneer for African Americans in Mississippi<\/em>.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em>by Cain Madden<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <strong>University of Mississippi<\/strong>&#8216;s <a href=\"https:\/\/tracking.us.nylas.com\/l\/bc24e01ed4fc43b9b3cf9eea579284c4\/1\/77e08df1409ad2ab38d14f44610fe0b793b715afe03f331b86b184f0aadc0310?cache_buster=1793200837\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Banking and Finance Symposium<\/strong><\/a> is aiming for maximum returns as it observes its 25th year. This year&#8217;s event features sessions on AI, regulation, banking policy and growth strategies.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The professional conference, hosted by the <a href=\"https:\/\/tracking.us.nylas.com\/l\/bc24e01ed4fc43b9b3cf9eea579284c4\/2\/17236576288e6d8fd197fa29ff9a006caee6ae2bc23dbbfbae46493d003a1af0?cache_buster=1793200837\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>School of Business Administration<\/strong><\/a>, is set for November 6 at the <strong>Oxford Conference Center<\/strong>. The event has become a prime spot for professionals to network, said <strong>Rich Gentry<\/strong>, the school&#8217;s dean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;One of the most important things you can do in banking is build relationships,&#8221; he said. &#8220;That is the kind of thing that can only happen at concise symposiums like what our alumni have helped build.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;It is capped at approximately 375 participants, with people from all over the Southeast coming to get updates on what is happening in the industry.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Fireside Chat, set for 11:15 a.m., will feature three powerful women in banking:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Michelle &#8220;Miki&#8221; Bowman<\/strong>, vice chair for supervision for the <strong>Federal Reserve System<\/strong>&#8216;s board of governors<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cathy Owen<\/strong>, CEO of <strong>Eagle Bank<\/strong> and chair of the <strong>American Bankers Association<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Jill Castilla<\/strong>, president and CEO of the <strong>Bank of Edmond<\/strong>, <strong>Oklahoma<\/strong>, who will moderate the chat.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bowman is returning to Ole Miss after serving as a keynote speaker in 2024.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/PHM_0034-AR-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/PHM_0034-AR-1024x683.jpg?resize=640%2C427&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-167189\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.4992820977858385;width:576px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/PHM_0034-AR-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/PHM_0034-AR-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/PHM_0034-AR-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/PHM_0034-AR-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/PHM_0034-AR-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1365&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/PHM_0034-AR-scaled.jpg?w=1280 1280w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/PHM_0034-AR-scaled.jpg?w=1920 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Stan Viner, president of the Ole Miss Banking and Finance Advisory Board, speaks to attendees at a previous Banking and Finance Symposium. Viner will serve as emcee for this year&#8217;s conference, set for Nov. 6 at the Oxford Conference Center. Photo by Hunt Mercier\/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;On the heels of the midterms, they will have an invigorating conversation about all things banking you can fit within a 45-minute window,&#8221; said <strong>Stan Viner<\/strong>, event emcee and president of the school&#8217;s banking and finance board.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The symposium begins at 8 a.m. with the <strong>Women in the Finance Industry<\/strong> breakfast, featuring <strong>Michelle Rivers<\/strong>, chief experience officer for <strong>Renasant Bank<\/strong>, and <strong>Keith Carter<\/strong>, <strong>Ole Miss <\/strong>vice chancellor for intercollegiate athletics, who will speak about motivating employees and peers.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The day&#8217;s keynote speakers are Ole Miss Chancellor <strong>Glenn Boyce<\/strong> and <strong>Douglas Carswell<\/strong>, president and CEO of the <strong>Mississippi Center for Public Policy<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Organizers will present four awards at the event. This year&#8217;s <strong>Distinguished Finance Award<\/strong> will go to <strong>Melanie Dowell<\/strong>. A 1980 public administration graduate of Ole Miss, she is executive director and founding partner of <strong>The Dowell Group <\/strong>and is a <strong>Morgan Stanley<\/strong> financial adviser.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The first of two <strong>Pioneer Awards <\/strong>will posthumously recognize the late <strong>Minnie Geddings Cox<\/strong>, who helped found one of the first banks for African Americans in Mississippi, the <strong>Delta Penny Savings Bank<\/strong>, in the early 20th century.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The symposium will also recognize <strong>Robert M. Hearin<\/strong> with a posthumous <strong>Pioneer Award<\/strong>. Hearin served as president of <strong>First National Bank<\/strong> from 1962 to 1981. First National Bank and <strong>First Capital Corp<\/strong>., which he helped establish in 1968, evolved into <strong>Trustmark<\/strong>, a stalwart financial institution in <strong>Mississippi <\/strong>and the Southeast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Organizers also will honor<strong> John Robert Campbell<\/strong> with this year&#8217;s <strong>Emerging Leader Award<\/strong>. He earned his undergraduate degree in banking and finance in 2005 and MBA in 2011, both from Ole Miss. He is head of investor relations at <strong>Porch Group<\/strong>, a publicly traded homeowners&#8217; insurance and home services company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Rich-Gentry-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"960\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Rich-Gentry-683x1024.jpg?resize=640%2C960&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-167191\" style=\"width:181px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Rich-Gentry-scaled.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 683w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Rich-Gentry-scaled.jpg?resize=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Rich-Gentry-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Rich-Gentry-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Rich-Gentry-scaled.jpg?resize=1365%2C2048&amp;ssl=1 1365w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Rich-Gentry-scaled.jpg?w=1707&amp;ssl=1 1707w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Rich-Gentry-scaled.jpg?w=1280 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Rich Gentry. Photo by Srijita Chattopadhyay\/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The afternoon will feature concurrent sessions. At 1:15 pm, participants can choose between <em>&#8220;No Data\u2026No AI&#8221; <\/em>and <em>&#8220;Regulatory Strategies.&#8221;<\/em> At 2:15, the choices are <em>&#8220;AI Hype to AI Practicality and Playbooks&#8221;<\/em> and <em>&#8220;Growth Strategies.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;I would put this conference up against any of them, with quality content from quality speakers,&#8221; said <strong>Phil Buffington<\/strong>, partner at <strong>Balch &amp; Bingham LLP<\/strong>. &#8220;This is a premier conference; one we have built on for 25 years.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The event is open to all banking and finance professionals, students and alumni, and professionals can earn up to five continuing education credits. Last year, attendees came from 23 states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Registration is $95, and scholarships are available for employed professionals ages 35 and younger. Email <a href=\"https:\/\/tracking.us.nylas.com\/l\/bc24e01ed4fc43b9b3cf9eea579284c4\/3\/c889715bdf9bbdbec6d7d2a1283ccff22cf210107775621762f2d474b80149bc?cache_buster=1793200837\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Kathy Mikell<\/strong><\/a> for scholarship information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/TheLocalVoiceLigature-25web.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"25\" height=\"16\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/TheLocalVoiceLigature-25web.jpg?resize=25%2C16\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14544\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>UM to honor banking pioneer for African Americans in Mississippi. by Cain Madden The University of Mississippi&#8216;s Banking<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":123462,"featured_media":167188,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[17687,15309,35027],"tags":[35925,35926,7067,4478,655],"class_list":["post-167187","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-university-of-mississippi","category-university-events","category-upcoming-events","tag-banking","tag-finance","tag-ole-miss","tag-symposium","tag-university-of-mississippi"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/PHM_0034-AL-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1707&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/167187","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/123462"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=167187"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/167187\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":167192,"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/167187\/revisions\/167192"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/167188"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=167187"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=167187"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=167187"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}