Modern Cannabis Banking: Program Strategies, Compliance, and Growth Opportunities

U.S. financial institutions approaching the cannabis industry today have more options and clarity than ever before. What’s become increasingly evident is that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to cannabis banking. The most successful programs are those that align with an institution’s broader strategic goals, risk appetite, and operational capabilities. Whether serving a small number of local operators or building a multi-state portfolio, banks and credit unions are designing programs that meet them where they are while positioning for long-term growth.

In this complimentary session, we’ll look at the different types of modern cannabis banking programs, how they fit the institution’s strategic objectives and provide a lens into the growth, compliance and operational foundations that make them work. 

Agenda:

2026 Cannabis Banking Overview & State of the Industry (10 minutes)

• Current landscape of cannabis banking in the U.S.
• Key 2026 federal and state regulatory updates 
• Market trends shaping financial services demand

Types of Successful Cannabis Banking Programs (15 minutes)

• Competitive state and community programs
• Regional and national program models
• Early-stage and accommodation programs
• Aligning program structure with institutional strategy

Building a Strong Foundation: Compliance & Examiner Expectations (10 minutes)

• Best practices for working with examiners
• Running efficient, scalable compliance workflows
• Core components of an examiner-ready cannabis banking program

Operational Excellence: Real-World Case Studies (15 minutes)

• Onboarding cannabis-related businesses (CRBs)
• Ongoing monitoring and risk management
• Reporting and audit readiness
• Lessons from high-performing cannabis banking programs

Revenue Opportunities & Growth Strategies (15 minutes)

• Unlocking low-cost deposits and fee income
• Introducing lending in a cannabis portfolio
• Aligning product offerings with CRB needs
• Leveraging compliance data to inform business growth

Q&A (10 Minutes)

• As always, each webinar ends with a participant Q&A, so you can ask the questions most relevant to your institution. 

Takeaways

• Copies of all presentation materials
• 90-day access to the recording 

Who Should Attend:

• CEOs
• CFOs
• COOs
• Compliance, BSA/AML and Risk Officers
• General Counsel
• Branch Operations Managers
• Business Development Teams
• Lending Officers
• Marketing and Communications Teams