MC provost discusses emerging trends of financial institutions at Banking Outlook Conference

Michael J. Highfield, center, speaks during a Feb. 27 panel discussion at the Atlanta Fed’s annual Banking Outlook Conference.

Michael J. Highfield, Mississippi College Provost and Executive Vice President, explored how community banks can navigate economic uncertainty, regulatory shifts and technological advancements to sustain strong performance while serving as a panelist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta’s (Atlanta Fed) annual Banking Outlook Conference on Feb. 27.

It was the second consecutive year that Highfield was selected to serve as a panelist at the conference, which brings together banking professionals, regulators and industry leaders to discuss emerging trends, economic forecasts and regulatory developments affecting financial institutions.

Hosted by the Risk Analysis Unit of the Atlanta Fed’s Supervision and Regulation Division, the conference fosters dialogue between bank supervisors and industry participants on the challenges and opportunities facing the financial sector in the year ahead. The conference theme was “Riding the Next Wave” of innovation and increasing risks in the banking sector.

“I was honored to serve as a panelist in a session titled, ‘Finding the Point Break for Community Banks: Strategizing for Top Performance,’” Highfield said. “My message to attendees focused on strategic growth, risk management and the role of innovation in maintaining a competitive edge. I also emphasized the importance of leadership and adaptability in an evolving financial landscape.”

Moderated by Sherri Sackett, CEO of Select Banks (Lynchburg, Virginia) and president of the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University, Highfield’s panel included Gordon Fellows, president and CEO of the Mississippi Bankers Association and chair-elect of the Graduate School of Banking at LSU, and Chad Tagtow, senior vice president and chief innovation officer at Citizens Bank and Trust (Lakeland, Florida).

“It was a privilege to share the panel with leaders who are shaping the future of community banking,” Highfield said. “Their insights on innovation and performance strategies reinforced the importance of collaboration between academia and industry in preparing the next generation of banking professionals.”

He said a key takeaway from the conference was the growing recognition of Artificial Intelligence’s impact on banking operations and risk assessment.

“Given Mississippi College’s initiative to establish the Center for AI Policy and Technology Leadership (CAPTL), this topic was particularly relevant,” Highfield said. “Engaging in discussions on AI’s role in financial services reaffirmed the importance of our work in shaping the future of responsible AI implementation.”

Highfield’s participation in the conference highlights MC’s commitment to leadership in financial education and industry engagement. Several MC graduates who work in the banking sector attended the conference.

Highfield, professor of finance in the MC School of Business, was invited to serve as a panelist based on his experience in banking education leadership and financial policy. He serves as an instructor and vice president for curriculum at the Graduate School of Banking at LSU (GSBLSU) and teaches a course on financial markets at GSBLSU. He has served as the head of academic programs at GSBLSU since 2017.

“My participation aligns with MC’s mission to integrate academic excellence with real-world application, strengthens our visibility among banking professionals and reinforces the relevance of our business and finance programs,” he said. “By contributing to industry discussions at the national level, we demonstrate our dedication to preparing students for leadership roles in finance, banking and regulatory fields.”