Driving Growth and Delivering Value in Business Banking
COCC brought together over 90 CEOs and senior executives from community banks and credit unions across the Northeast for the 2025 CEO & Senior Officer Tech Symposium, held October 23–24 at The Delamar Hotel in West Hartford. Centered around strategies and emerging opportunities in commercial and small business banking, the event emphasized technology’s growing role in driving strategic growth and deepening client engagement.
The symposium began with an exclusive networking reception and dinner, offering executives a welcoming environment to reconnect, exchange ideas, and build new relationships ahead of the next day’s discussions.
Building on that momentum, the event’s main sessions were designed to foster meaningful discussion among industry leaders, providing a forum to explore new approaches to growth, examine shifting business models, and assess the innovations redefining community banking. Through a series of insights from industry innovators and experts, as well as client-led conversations focused on real-world strategies, attendees gained perspective on the trends, technology and service methods shaping the future of the business banking sector.
Exploring New Paths for Growth
The event began with a keynote from Joel Pruis, Senior Director at Cornerstone Advisors, who addressed how community financial institutions can position themselves for growth amid rapid industry transformation. His remarks underscored the importance of strategic focus, innovation, and leadership agility as competition intensifies across commercial and small business segments.
Building on that theme, Nathan Baumeister, Co-Founder of ZSuite Technologies, offered an engaging session centered around how lessons from past business cycles and today’s technology advancements can guide modern banking strategies. The theme focused on how technology shifts and verticalization are critical to keep top of mind, and why ‘one size fits all’ approaches break down over time.
Continuing the discussion on growth, Peter Ward, Senior Director for CFI & LFI East at Clover shared how enhanced merchant services are enabling institutions to compete more effectively, expand non-interest income, and strengthen commercial relationships through modern payment capabilities.
Client Perspectives on Treasury Success
The symposium concluded with a COCC Client Panel, “The Paths to Winning & Growing in Treasury,” moderated by Alex Campbell, VP of Client Services at COCC. Panelists included:
- Don Peruta, SVP, Head of Specialty Lending & Services, Liberty Bank
- Stacey Uccello, SVP, Director of Cash Management, Ion Bank
- Katie Penoyer, VP, Treasury Operations, CNB Bank
Panelists shared real-world insights on competing against larger institutions, scaling treasury operations, and expanding business relationships through innovative banking services. Their discussion reinforced a common theme across the event, that collaboration, service, and adaptability remain essential to long-term success in community banking.
Building Momentum for the Future
The 2025 Symposium reaffirmed COCC’s dedication to helping community financial institutions grow stronger through partnership, innovation, and forward thinking. The conversations that took place reflected a shared commitment to progress, blending technology with the personal relationships that define community banking.
“This event gives our clients a chance to step back and look ahead, to connect with peers, exchange ideas, and think strategically about growth,” said Jill Flaherty, First Vice President of Business Development at COCC. “It’s always great to see so many leaders sharing what’s working in their organizations. That collaboration is what makes this community so strong.”
As the industry continues to evolve, COCC remains focused on equipping its clients with the tools, insight, and collaboration they need to lead with confidence and shape the future of financial services.
