The OBL and NEACH Payments Group are partnering to launch a new OBL Forum in 2026 focused exclusively on payments strategy. Led by Caitlyn Mullins-Smith, a former Ohio community banker who now serves as Vice President & Director of NEACH Payments Group, this year-long program will provide financial institution leaders with insights and peer exchange across all major payments rails — cards, wires, ACH, checks, instant payments, and digital currencies.
Participants will explore strategies to maximize revenue, manage fraud and compliance, reduce costs, and enhance the customer experience through expert facilitation and engaging roundtable discussions.
REGISTRATION
The OBL Payments Strategy Forum includes three in-person sessions held from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the OBL Education Center (4215 Worth Ave, Suite 300, Columbus, OH).
Session Dates:
- Tuesday, March 10
- Tuesday, August 18
- Tuesday, October 6
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE 2026 PAYMENTS STRATEGY FORUM
BENEFITS OF THE FORUM:
- Participate in a collaborative roundtable with peer payments leaders from across Ohio’s banking community.
- Gain insight into emerging payments trends, risk management practices, and strategic growth opportunities.
- Contribute “hot topics” of interest to shape future session agendas.
- Learn proven techniques to streamline operations and strengthen vendor management.
- Build lasting relationships with peers who share the same payments challenges and goals.
- Understand how to leverage innovation, compliance, and efficiency to drive institutional success.
- Walk away with actionable strategies to enhance your institution’s payments profitability and customer value.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
This forum is designed for:
- Executive leadership responsible for payments, operations, or treasury management.
- Operations, Risk, and Compliance Officers seeking to manage fraud and ensure regulatory alignment.
- Electronic Banking, Retail, and Treasury Managers overseeing card, ACH, wire or other payment processing operations.
- IT, Vendor Management, and Innovation Leaders integrating new payment technologies and fintech partnerships.
- Finance and Strategy Professionals evaluating the financial impact of evolving payments channels.
FORUM DISCUSSION TOPICS
Each session will explore both strategic and operational perspectives on payments innovation and risk. Topics will include:
- Cards: Revenue maximization through interchange; expense reduction via vendor negotiations; Reg E dispute management; fraud and customer experience optimization.
- Wires: Improving efficiency, reducing risk, and enhancing customer service in a Fedwire ISO 20022 environment.
- ACH: Fraud trends, Third-Party oversight, and operational strategies to improve compliance and profitability.
- Checks: Managing declining volume, preventing fraud, and reducing operational costs while maintaining customer trust.
- Instant Payments: FedNow and RTP implementation, fraud mitigation, and compliance readiness in a real-time environment.
- Digital Currencies: Understanding stablecoins, CBDCs, and digital asset opportunities and risks for financial institutions.
HOW THE FORUM WORKS
- The Payments Strategy Forum will meet three times annually.
- Participants are encouraged to submit “hot topics” in advance of each meeting to guide the agenda.
- Each session combines expert facilitation, peer exchange, and practical discussions on current industry challenges.
- Members gain a network of peers who share strategies, vendor insights, and regulatory perspectives.
FORUM INSTRUCTOR
Caitlyn Mullins-Smith, AAP, APRP, NCP
Vice President & Director, NEACH Payments Group
Caitlyn Mullins-Smith began her career at a community bank in Ohio, where she developed a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities financial institutions face in managing payments, operations, and risk. Today, as Vice President & Director of NEACH Payments Group, she leads the organization’s advisory and assessment services, partnering with community banks and credit unions across the country to strengthen their payment processing programs through comprehensive audits, risk assessments, and consulting engagements.
Caitlyn collaborates closely with regulators and industry experts to stay ahead of emerging rules, technologies, and fraud trends, ensuring her clients are well-prepared for the rapidly evolving payments landscape. Her experience allows her to connect practical, real-world insights with strategic vision — helping financial institutions achieve compliance, efficiency, and growth.
Additional OBL Forums
Cancellation Policy
Refunds for the full year-long program will be granted for cancellations received in writing to the OBL Professional Development Team seven days prior to the first session. Cancellations will be subject to a $75 processing fee. No refunds will be granted for cancellations received within seven days of the program. Substitutions are always welcome.
Questions?
Contact Julie Kiplinger or (614) 340-7612