The 2025 edition of the UBA Convention returned to Sun Valley on June 22-25, with more than 450 bankers, business partners and guests gathering for a week of connection, insights and inspiration. The first day may have started with snow on the ground, but the event heated up from there and captured the magic of the idyllic surroundings.
Registration in the Exhibit Hall continues to be a unique UBA experience, with nearly 50 exhibitors pulling out all the stops to delight bankers and their families with claw machines, stuffed animals, spin-to-win cash games and plenty of sweets!
Monday morning saw the beginning of the business proceedings, with a trio of expert speakers: Robert Spendlove (Zions Bank) provided an economic update in light of recent developments, Acting FDIC Chair Travis Hill offered his vision for the agency and Susan Dye shared how to lead through change with neuroscience. The afternoon breakout sessions covered a range of topics, from AI and stablecoin to fraud and payments.
With the day’s business taken care of, it was time for UBA Bingo. Nearly 600 participants of all ages packed the inn’s Limelight Ballroom to compete for awesome prizes like massagers, fire pits, hoverboards, Legos, wireless speakers, gift cards and more.
Tuesday was the traditional Activities Day, with attendees and family members partaking in a fun run, rafting trip, UTV off-road rides, golf, trap shooting and pickleball.
That evening, bankers and guests gathered for the Chairman’s Reception & Dinner to honor UBA Chair Mark Packard (Central Bank) and ABA Chair John Asbury (Atlantic Union Bankshares Corporation).
The evening’s program recognized several bankers for their service to the UBA and the industry, including three recipients of the 40 Year Service Award:
- Bruce Ashcroft, Brighton Bank
- Cynthia Bradshaw, Utah Independent Bank
- Terry Grant, Altabank
UBA Immediate Past Chair Andrea Moss (Edward Jones Bank in formation), UBA Board Members Bruce Ashcroft (Brighton Bank), and Joel Cannon (Regions) and Emerging Bank Leaders Chair Mike Van Roosendaal (Zions Bank) were also thanked for their contributions.
The evening’s program closed with the presentation of the Distinguished Banker Award to Cache Valley Bank Chairman George Daines.
The group hot-stepped it over to the Sun Valley Pavilion to sing along and dance the night away to massive hits performed by Hotel California, the original Eagles tribute band.
Wednesday’s Business Session brought the convention to a close, but it was not light on impactful content, featuring updates from ABA Chair John Asbury and EBL Chair Mike Van Roosendaal. UBA President Howard Headlee moderated two excellent panels, first discussing fraud with Utah Attorney General Derek Brown and Paul Benda, EVP of Risk, Fraud and Cybersecurity for the American Bankers Association. The trip laid out some of the threats out there, and how we can all work together to coordinate efforts to stifle the bad actors. The next panel highlighted the needs for advocacy, featuring Paul Burdiss (president & CEO, Zions Bank), Mark Packard (president & CEO, Central Bank), and Carson Lappetito (president & director, Sunwest Bank).
Then it was time for the assembled bankers to elect the 2025-26 UBA Board of Directors, voting Todd Boren (president & COO, Celtic Bank) in as chair along with a strong group to the board.
Boren introduced Mark Robinson to close the convention, and his skillful mix of magic, comedy and leadership insights were a perfect conclusion to a magical week, as attendees hit the road with smiles and actionable items to take back to their institutions.
Mark your calendar! The 118th Annual UBA Convention will once again return to Sun Valley on July 28-July 1, 2026.
