What Happens at Future Branches (Shouldn’t Stay There)

The ideas, people, and moments to catch in Austin this year.

How to Get the Most Out of 3 Days in Austin

Future Branches Austin 2025 gathers the people who are shaping what banking feels like in a world that is both physical and digital. Over three days, more than 400 leaders will meet to talk about how branches evolve, how employees connect with customers, and how technology makes personal service scalable again.

If you are heading to Austin, this guide will help you make the most of your time on the ground. 

Consider it a local’s take on how to learn, network, and avoid rookie mistakes (like underestimating how long a “short walk” in Texas actually is).

Build a Game Plan

The agenda is packed. You will hear how financial institutions are modernizing their networks, empowering staff, and measuring the impact of change.

Start by opening the event app and marking the sessions that matter most to you. Look for conversations that blend design, technology, and culture. That is where the real innovation happens.

Tip: Leave a few open blocks. The most valuable moments often come from a hallway chat or an impromptu roundtable that was not on your schedule.

Author’s Pick: Sessions to Watch

With more than 60 speakers and 3 packed days of content, the schedule can feel overwhelming. Here are a few can’t-miss sessions we’ll be watching: The ones that capture where innovation, design, and customer connection are really headed.

Leading Across the Seams
Karen Swiatocha, Citizens Bank:
A thoughtful look at what modern leadership requires when service spans multiple channels and expectations move faster than systems.

Tuesday, November 18, 2025 | Morning Session

Branching Reimagined
Gina Bleedorn, Adrenaline:
Design meets data in this deep dive into how physical spaces evolve alongside digital experiences.

Tuesday, November 18, 2025 | Morning Session (around 10 a.m.)

Experience by Design
Ami Iceman Haueter, MSU Federal Credit Union:
A strong finish. Expect lessons on how to align strategy, service, and sustainability without losing sight of the human experience.

Thursday, November 20, 2025 | 9:30 a.m. Keynote 

Eat Well, Think Clearly

Austin takes food seriously, and you will not have to go far for a good meal.

• Start the morning at Merit Coffee or Houndstooth. Both are close and reliable.
• For lunch, Caroline and Fareground are convenient and fast.
• If you have time for dinner, Emmer & Rye and Swift’s Attic are favorites among past attendees.

Tip: Early breakfast meetings tend to fill quickly, so reserve a spot or grab coffee before the rush.

‍Network Like You Mean It

This event attracts senior leaders who are open about what works and what does not. The tone should be collaborative.

The Welcome Reception on Tuesday is the easiest place to start new conversations. The Networking Mixer on Wednesday usually carries the most energy, and the Closing Happy Hour on Thursday is where people finally slow down and share what they learned.

Ask what someone has heard or seen this week that surprised them. It is an easy way to start a real exchange of ideas.

Pack Smart

November in Austin can shift between warm afternoons and cool evenings. Bring layers, comfortable shoes, and a portable charger. A refillable water bottle and a small notebook will come in handy.

The lounges near the main ballroom are ideal for quick email checks or spontaneous meetups.

‍Visit Zingly.ai at Booth 318

Between sessions, visit Booth 318 to see how banks and credit unions are creating connected customer experiences that get real resolutions. The Zingly.ai team will be showing how Agentic AI helps financial institutions resolve everyday needs like password resets, account updates, and asset consolidation across all channels in one continuous space.

You can explore how leading organizations are cutting third-party call center costs, reducing handoffs, and delivering more resolutions with higher satisfaction. 

It is also a good place to recharge, talk about what other institutions are trying, and see how your own digital and voice strategy could evolve.

Stop by for a live demo and enter our daily iPad raffle while you are there.

‍Before You Go

Future Branches is about progress you can feel. It is about the people behind transformation, not just the tools.

Plan a little, wander a little, and take time to notice what conversations keep coming up. Those are usually the ones that point to where the industry is heading.

Zingly.ai will be there all week, ready to listen, learn, and connect.

Everything moves a little faster in Texas, including the future of banking.

See you in Austin.

‍