ICBA LIVE’s “Anchored in Purpose” Spotlights Enduring Spirit of Community Banking

San Diego, Calif. (March 3, 2026)—Community bankers and industry leaders convene this week at the San Diego Convention Center for the Independent Community Bankers of America’s (ICBA) national convention, ICBA LIVE 2026. Framed by this year’s theme, "Anchored in Purpose,” the event emphasizes the mission-driven roots of relationship banking and the vital role community banks play in providing stability amid an evolving financial services landscape.

ICBA LIVE, the largest gathering of community bankers in the world, runs March 6-9 and features a compelling lineup of general session speakers, including strategic advisor and best-selling author, Ryan Leak; retired U.S. Army Staff Seargent and entrepreneur, Travis Mills; and ICBA Chairman Jack Hopkins, ICBA Chairman-elect Alice Frazier, and ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey.​

“As community banks remain anchored in their purpose—providing financial stability and local leadership—ICBA is proud to offer a forum where bankers can reconnect and chart a shared course for the future,” ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey said. “This inspiring conference is focused on the industry’s growth and long-term success, leveraging our collective abilities under a unified purpose to strengthen the future state of community banking.”

The conference features more than 60 expert-led sessions and roundtables spanning multiple tracks, including digital transformation and innovation; fraud, cybersecurity and risk; lending and deposits; growth and marketing; management and strategy; regulation and bank examinations; and workforce development. The event will also feature the ICBA ThinkTECH Showcase, where community bankers can view product demos from select ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator participants, and an Expo with more than 200 exhibiting companies.​

Attendees can stay up to date with the ICBA 2026 Mobile App and by following #ICBALIVE on social media. For more information on the event, visit icba.org/live.

About ICBA
The Independent Community Bankers of America® has one mission: to create and promote an environment where community banks flourish. We power the potential of the nation’s community banks through effective advocacy, education, and innovation.

As local and trusted sources of credit, America’s community banks leverage their relationship-based business model and innovative offerings to channel deposits into the neighborhoods they serve, creating jobs, fostering economic prosperity, and fueling their customers’ financial goals and dreams. For more information, visit ICBA’s website at icba.org.