Baker Hill successfully hosted its annual conference, Prosper, at the Loews Coronado Bay Resort from May 4 to May 6. The event brought together industry leaders, clients, and partners for three days of insightful discussions, networking, and learning.
Lend Faster, Lend Better, Lend More
The conference kicked off with a warm welcome from Kevin Gould, CEO of the California Bankers Association, followed by a visionary keynote from Baker Hill’s CEO Andy Ivankovich, who set the tone for the event with the theme “Lend Better, Lend Faster, Lend More”. Andy shared Baker Hill’s achievements over the past year and outlined future plans, emphasizing the importance of AI and data architecture in lending.
Malcolm Gladwell, renowned author and speaker, provided a thought-provoking perspective on AI, emphasizing the importance of enhancing human interaction rather than replacing it. His insights on how organizations can focus on stregthening “weak links” at the foundation can lead to high performing teams and how AI can help strengthen them were particularly engaging.
HomeBank
AI Playbook
Monday also featured presentations and Q&A led by Mike Horrocks with Falguni Desai from Microsoft and Dave Goldfein, Chairman of the Board for Google Public Sector, who discussed AI in banking, with a focus on how critical leadership is in maintaining trust, managing risk, and how AI can optimize the growth of financial institutions.
Coming Home
Tuesday featured a conversation with Ben and Erin Napier from HGTV’s Home Town. They shared their story of the beginnings of their vision for transforming community and the significant part Community Bank of Mississippi played in their success. Matt Mayo and Scott Pickering, both of Community Bank of Mississippi, joined the stage to share their approach to lending in their small town.
Workshops & Training
Following the strategic AI discussion, Prosper featured a series of workshops and panel discussions. In a panel focused on the Playbook to build out an AI approach, Todd Cooper, CEO of Nu Arca Labs, discussed the role of proactive AI in compliance and how it can streamline processes for financial institutions. Robbie Beyer, Director of Data Science and AI at RSM, provided a case study on predictive AI and its applications in financial institutions.
The event also featured educational sessions with Baker Hill’s subject matter experts, integration partners, immersive activities, opportunities to network and see the vision for the future of lending with Baker Hill. These sessions continue to showcase how the community of Baker Hill clients and the sharing of insights among themselves is a key value of attending Prosper.
Rick Griskie, COO & CTO from Baker Hill shared the company’s AI journey, highlighting the adoption of AI tools like Copilot and CODEIUM to improve productivity and serve clients better. He also outlined Baker Hill’s future plans, including the development of a data warehouse and predictive AI capabilities to enhance performance metrics for financial institutions.
Security National Bank
The Voice of the Consultant
Cornerstone Advisors’ Sam Kilmer and Joel Pruis took a deep dive into what the market is prioritizing when it comes to loan origination solutions. From buying criteria to strategic direction, they shared insights that cut through the noise. It was a thoughtful look at where the industry is heading—and how those trends are showing up in real conversations across the board room and at Baker Hill.
The Future of Lending
The product team, led by Joe Pavlik, discussed the product roadmap and upcoming enhancements, focusing on financial analysis, digital engagement, and user experience improvements. The day ended with a Q&A session with the product team, addressing questions from the audience about product enhancements and future plans.
Monday concluded with an exclusive wine tasting with David Duncan, CEO of Silver Oak Winery with Q&A facilitated by CEO Andy Ivankovich.
Visions Federal Credit Union
Our Why
Prosper 2025 was more than just a conference; it was a love letter to our clients, fostering spaces for community, learning, and connection. Baker Hill is committed to providing the latest insights on the state of the banking industry and discussing emerging trends and best practices in lending, risk management, and more.
What’s Next?
Baker Hill has raised the bar on what lending conferences can be. Next year, the conference goes to the next level in San Antonio, Texas. Make plans to attend May 3-6, 2026 at La Cantera Resort and Spa. Keynote speakers, entertainment and workshops will be announcing soon. Save the date and bookmark the event website: www.bakerhill.com/prosper
