An official website of the State of North Dakota
Upcoming Event
AI & Tokenization Are Redefining What’s Possible for North Dakota’s Financial Institutions
October 5-7, 2026 – Medora
Cohort Speaker Lineup
High-Tech, High-Touch: How Community Banks Can Adopt AI and Tokenization Without Losing the Relationship Advantage.
Wayne Miller, Executive Vice President | Independent Community Bankers of America
This session will give financial institutions a practical framework for using AI to improve service, productivity, and decision-making while preserving the trust and local connection that define community banking. Attendees can expect clear explanations of tokenization, stablecoins, and tokenized deposits; practical examples of where AI fits first. Wayne will provide a straightforward roadmap for evaluating these capabilities in ways that strengthen customer relationships rather than weaken them.
Policy at the Speed of Innovation: Embedded Banking, Tokenization, and the Next Regulatory Frontier
Phil Goldfeder, Chief Executive Officer | American Fintech Council
As embedded banking and tokenization reshape how financial products are built, distributed, and experienced, industry leaders face a critical challenge: enabling innovation while maintaining trust, accountability, and consumer protection. Phil will explore the evolving policy and regulatory landscape surrounding these emerging models, what it means for banks, credit unions, fintechs, and their partners, and how public-private collaboration can create clearer pathways for responsible innovation. The conversation will examine where regulation is heading, where uncertainty remains, and what the industry can do today to help shape a financial ecosystem built for what comes next.
High-Tech, High-Touch: How Community Banks Can Adopt AI and Tokenization Without Losing the Relationship Advantage.
Marc Rehberger, Principal Advisor | Anvil & Forge Advisory
Every bank and credit union has deployed something by now, a copilot, a chatbot, a POC. And most cannot say with confidence what it’s costing them. Who inside the institution actually has access to it, or whether it’s working beyond raw usage numbers. The gap between AI that gets turned on and AI that changes outcomes comes down to three practical questions:
- How success could be measured beyond activity?
- How AI spending can be controlled before it becomes a pile of unmanaged subscriptions?
- Who has access to what and does it match the risk of the decision?
Marc will walk through how financial institutions are answering those three questions in practice and open the discussion to where each institution in the room currently stands.
History and Innovations in the Payments Landscape
Erik Van Bramer, Senior Vice President | Federal Reserve Bank
From Cash usage to developments with Instant Payments and new alternatives, how has the role of the financial institution and the payments they offer changed over time? Erik will explore how future advancements and customer expectations impact the role of financial institutions
As of 8/21/2026
About the Event
AI and tokenization are reshaping banking in rural states by giving financial institutions the ability to move with the speed and precision of much larger organizations and use technology to strengthen their mission instead of overwhelming their capacity. AI helps small banks and credit unions by automating underwriting, detecting fraud, and personalizing services that once required far larger teams. Tokenization turns assets like loans or agricultural contracts into secure digital formats that move quickly through the system, enabling faster settlement, easier collateralization, and new liquidity that supports farmers and small businesses. Together, these technologies allow institutions to operate with greater precision and lower costs while offering residents faster credit decisions, digital identity, and more flexible payment options.
For North Dakota’s community banks and credit unions, AI and tokenization represent both a challenge and an opportunity. Financial institutions have always been the pillars of trust and stability, serving communities that value personal relationships and local decision-making. But as technology reshapes the financial landscape, institutions must understand what’s happening and determine how these tools fit into their strategies.
B3 provides a focused setting to explore what AI and Tokenization mean for banking in North Dakota.
Conference Schedule
4:30 – 6:00 p.m. – Social
6:00 – 7:00 p.m. – Fireside Chat
7:30 – 9:00 a.m. – Breakfast
9:00 – 10:30 a.m. – Cohort Session 1
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Cohort Session 2
12:30 – 1:30 p.m. – Lunch
1:30 – 3:00 p.m. – Cohort Session 3
3:00 – 6:00 p.m. – Free Time/Library Access
5:30 – 6:00 p.m. – Social
6:00 – 7:00 p.m. – Dinner
7:00 – 8:00 p.m. – State of BND
7:30 – 8:00 a.m. – Breakfast
8:00 – 8:45 a.m. – Panel
9:00 – 10:30 a.m. – Cohort Session 4
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Panel
12:00 p.m. – Wrap-up
Schedule & times are subject to change. As of 8/21/2026
Strengthening North Dakota’s Financial Infrastructure While Preserving Autonomy
B3 is about building a stronger, more resilient financial foundation for North Dakota. Every community and every financial institution across the state plays a role in reinforcing our financial infrastructure while maintaining the local decision-making that defines North Dakota’s independence.
Are you ready to join us?
B3 Explained: A New Forum for
North Dakota’s Financial Leaders
Banking Beyond Boundaries (B3) is an executive-level event designed to prepare North Dakota’s financial institutions for the future of financial services. Building on the success of the Banking Beyond Boundaries conference, B3 offers smaller, focused gatherings that spark candid dialogue, practical ideas, and actionable partnerships. Each B3 will explore different emerging trends such as fintech, digital payments, and policy innovation, so your institution is ready for what’s next.
We understand the fintech industry is evolving quickly, and BND is here to help you stay ahead.
We offer informational resources, including the in-person Fintech Roadshow and Know Your BND webinars. You will find additional details on our website and social media channels. If you would like to connect, our staff is available for conversations or to arrange a presentation for your organization.