Mass Bankers & NEACH 2025 Payments School : Massachusetts Bankers Association

Dates

Wednesday, September 10, 2025 - Thursday, September 11, 2025

Time

9:00 AM - 2:30 PM EST

Mass Bankers & NEACH 2025 Payments School Event Image

Program Overview

In collaboration with the New England Automated Clearing House (NEACH), New Jersey and New York Bankers Associations, the Payments School returns! This 100% virtual program covers both payment fundamentals such as payment rails and rules, and advanced concepts in payments, risk management, and strategic planning. It is an excellent forum for both new and veteran financial services professionals looking to expand their knowledge of the rapidly evolving world of payments. We are thrilled to offer this workshop to members of the Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York Bankers Associations.

Final Assignment Note: Participants will be expected to complete a short paper that examines a topic of their choosing covered during the School. Upon completion of this final project and attendance at all sessions, participants will earn a Certificate of Completion.

Full Agenda HERE

What You Will Learn

Payments Landscape & Vertical,
Payments Compliance,
Business Payments,
Payments Risk Management,
Strategic Planning for Payments,
And more!

Who Should Attend?

Leaders in Bank Operations and Payments, Compliance Officers, Risk Managers, Treasury, Cash Management, and Retail Banking Staff

Dates & Times

September 10 - September 11

8:50AM Zoom Sign In | 9:00AM Program Start | 2:30PM Program Concludes

Suggested Prerequisites

A minimum of 3 years of experience in retail banking OR
A minimum of 1 year in operations.

Graduation Requirements

Attendance at all sessions, and
Completion of all assignments.

Registration Fees

Addition Registration from Same Bank

Early Standard Late

$350.00

Member Registration

Early Standard Late

$475.00

Nonmember Registration

Early Standard Late

$900.00

Agenda

Wednesday - September 10
9:00 am
	Opening Remarks Sold Out! 0 Slots Left
9:15 am
	Mastering Payments: The Key to Growth & Strategy Sold Out! 0 Slots Left Sean Carter, AAP, APRP, President and CEO, NEACH and NEACH Payments Group Success in payments isn’t just about understanding transaction flows—it’s about having the business acumen to connect payment strategy with institutional growth. This session will explore what it takes to be a successful payment professional, highlighting the critical knowledge, strategic decision-making, and risk awareness required to drive profitability and innovation. We’ll discuss the importance of aligning payment programs with institutional goals, navigating unique risks, and leveraging ongoing education to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving landscape. This session sets the stage for our workshop, outlining how each topic will build a comprehensive roadmap to payments success.
10:00 am
	The Payments Ecosystem: Foundations, Use Cases & Evolving Trends Sold Out! 0 Slots Left Elyssa Morgan, AAP, APRP, VP Membership, NEACH Payments Group Payments are critical to banking, commerce, and even government operations, making a deep understanding of the payment’s ecosystem essential for financial services. This session provides a broad yet insightful overview of payment systems—how they function, their core use cases, and their role in supporting businesses and economic activity. We’ll break down the major payment rails, their operational mechanics, and the trends shaping their evolution. Additionally, we’ll discuss how financial institutions can leverage payment-related services to enhance business success and meet customer needs. This session will build a comprehensive understanding of how payments work together to drive financial and economic growth.
11:00 am
	Break Sold Out! 0 Slots Left
11:15 am
	Translating Payments Value: Bridging Banking Solutions & Business Needs Sold Out! 0 Slots Left Patsy Mullin, CCM, Director Treasury Management Training, NEACH Financial institutions offer powerful solutions to support businesses—but effectively communicating their value requires speaking the language of business owners. This session will explore how to bridge the gap between banking terminology and real-world business challenges, ensuring that financial institutions can position their payments and cash management services as strategic problem-solvers. We’ll introduce key concepts of cash flow management, discuss how banking solutions directly impact business success, and highlight best practices for articulating the value of financial services in a way that resonates with business clients. Understanding and effectively communicating these connections is essential for driving adoption and strengthening client relationships.
12:15 pm
	Lunch Sold Out! 0 Slots Left
1:15 pm
	Building a Strong Payments Team: Structure, Skills & Accreditation Sold Out! 0 Slots Left Elyssa Morgan, NEACH A successful payments program depends on having the right people with the right expertise in the right roles. This session will explore how payments impact an institution’s organizational structure and why building a well-equipped team is essential for long-term growth. We’ll discuss the broader implications of payments on banking operations, the critical need for staff-wide awareness, and the strategic value of accreditation in maintaining institutional strength. Attendees will gain insight into key industry certifications—such as AAP, APRP, and others—and how accredited professionals contribute to innovation, compliance, and program evolution. Understanding the role of structured expertise ensures financial institutions are positioned for success in an ever-changing payments landscape.
2:15 pm
	Closing Remarks Sold Out! 0 Slots Left
Thursday - September 11
9:00 am
	Opening Remarks Sold Out! 0 Slots Left
9:15 am
	Navigating Compliance in Payments: Legal Frameworks, Network Rules & Regulatory Shifts Sold Out! 0 Slots Left Caitlyn Mullins-Smith, NEACH Staying compliant in payments isn’t just about following specific network rules—it also requires a deep understanding of evolving federal and state regulations that shape how financial institutions operate. This session will explore the layered compliance landscape, from the legal frameworks governing different payment networks to recent regulatory changes that impact risk, processing, and business practices. Attendees will gain insights into how financial institutions can proactively adapt to new compliance requirements, maintain a strong culture of compliance, and stay ahead of emerging regulatory trends. By staying informed and aligning compliance with strategic decision-making, organizations can turn regulatory challenges into opportunities for growth and resilience.
10:00 am
	Payments Risk Management: Practical Strategies for Success Sold Out! 0 Slots Left Caitlyn Mullins-Smith, NEACH Payments inherently come with risk, but with the right approach, those risks can be effectively managed to ensure operational success and business growth. This session will break down the complexities of payments risk management into actionable strategies, helping financial institutions integrate risk awareness into governance and business decisions without being overwhelmed. We’ll explore key regulatory priorities, industry guidance, and best practices that mitigate risk while supporting innovation and efficiency. By understanding how to navigate payments-related risks with a structured, proactive approach, financial institutions can turn risk management into a competitive advantage rather than a challenge.
11:00 am
	Break Sold Out! 0 Slots Left
11:15 am
	Fraud Risk & Prevention: Trends, Case Studies & More Sold Out! 0 Slots Left Sandy Roland, AAP, APRP, CAMS, NCP, Lead Advisor, NEACH Payments Group & Heather Williams, Advisor, NEACH Payments Group Fraud is an ever-evolving threat, and financial institutions must stay ahead by enhancing their monitoring practices and fraud prevention strategies. This session will provide a comprehensive fraud risk update, highlighting emerging fraud trends, recent case studies, and real-world scenarios that illustrate how fraud impacts financial institutions. We’ll also dive into new rule changes—both at the federal level and within network rules—that require institutions to strengthen their fraud detection, reporting, and response efforts. Attendees will gain actionable insights into how to navigate these evolving requirements while implementing best practices to mitigate fraud risks effectively. By understanding both the latest fraud tactics and compliance obligations, financial institutions can better protect themselves and their customers from financial crime.
12:15 pm
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1:15 pm
	Positioning for Growth and Innovation: Building a Future-Ready Payments Strategy Sold Out! 0 Slots Left Sean Carter, NEACH & Elyssa Morgan, NEACH & Caitlyn Mullins-Smith, NEACH A well-defined payments strategy is no longer just a competitive advantage, it’s a necessity. As industry rapidly evolves, financial institutions must align their payment offerings with shifting expectations, new technologies, and real-time demands. This closing session will tie together insights from the past two days and turn the focus toward what’s next. We’ll explore how faster and instant payment rails like RTP® and FedNow® are reshaping expectations, how open APIs and embedded finance are creating new delivery models, and the role artificial intelligence plays in enhancing both operations and customer experiences. From modernizing consumer platforms to expanding treasury and commercial payment capabilities, we’ll unpack how to future-proof your institution by embracing innovation with intention.
2:15 pm
	Closing Remarks Sold Out! 0 Slots Left

Speakers

Name	Organization	Speaking At
Caitlyn Mullins-Smith <p>Director</p>	New England ACH Association (NEACH)	-
Elyssa Morgan <p>Vice President, Membership</p>	New England ACH Association (NEACH)	-
Heather Williams <p>Advisor</p>	New England ACH Association (NEACH)	-
Patsy Mullin <p>Director, Treasury Management Training</p>	New England ACH Association (NEACH)	-
Sandy Roland <p>Lead Advisor</p>	New England ACH Association (NEACH)	-
Sean Carter <p>President & CEO</p>	New England ACH Association (NEACH)	-