Asurity Forum to Tackle AI, Regulation in High-Stakes Compliance Era

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28, 2026 – Asurity Technologies, a provider of regulatory compliance solutions, has opened registration for its annual conference, The 2026 Forum, scheduled for April 20–22 in New Orleans. The announcement comes as financial institutions navigate one of the most complex and rapidly evolving regulatory landscapes in recent memory, marked by the rise of artificial intelligence, heightened supervisory scrutiny, and a relentless pace of legislative updates.

The conference aims to bring together professionals from across the financial spectrum—including banks, mortgage lenders, fintechs, and advisory firms—to address critical challenges in fair lending, the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA), financial crimes, and operational risk. With RiskExec, a prominent fair lending analytics platform, returning as the premier sponsor, the event is poised to emphasize data-driven strategies for a new era of compliance.

Navigating the New Regulatory Frontier

The timing of the forum is particularly significant. Financial compliance departments in 2026 are contending with a confluence of pressures that extend far beyond traditional rule-following. The integration of artificial intelligence into core financial services like credit scoring and fraud detection has become a primary focus for regulators globally. With high-risk AI obligations under the influential EU AI Act set to take effect in August 2026, U.S. institutions are on high alert, anticipating that domestic agencies will integrate similar principles of fairness, transparency, and auditability into existing compliance frameworks.

Program highlights for The 2026 Forum directly reflect these anxieties, with planned discussions on AI governance and responsible innovation. The event promises to offer a platform for leaders to grapple with what regulators expect and how to build compliance frameworks that can withstand scrutiny without stifling technological advancement. This focus is critical as industry experts note that an effective AI strategy is fundamentally dependent on a robust and well-governed data strategy.

Beyond technology, the consumer protection landscape remains a minefield of activity. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has outlined an ambitious agenda through May 2026, with potential changes to Unfair, Deceptive, or Abusive Acts or Practices (UDAAP) standards and loan originator compensation rules. Simultaneously, federal agencies continue to refine CRA regulations, with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) recently proposing simplifications for community banks while maintaining a rigorous evaluation schedule. Adding to the complexity, new appraisal data standards for mortgages are set to become mandatory later in the year, placing further strain on lender resources.

“The Forum is where risk management meets practical application,” said David Fontaine, CEO of Asurity, in the announcement. “It’s a space for open dialogue, shared learnings, and fresh perspectives, all anchored in the real challenges and opportunities impacting responsible banking.”

Data and Analytics Take Center Stage

In an environment defined by regulatory complexity, the mantra for compliance has become “show, don’t just tell.” The continued premier sponsorship by RiskExec, a leading fair lending and CRA analytics platform, underscores a central theme of the conference: the non-negotiable role of data analytics in modern risk management. Financial institutions are increasingly expected to quantitatively prove their adherence to fair lending laws and demonstrate their commitment to community reinvestment, making sophisticated analytics platforms essential tools.

Erik Pieczkowski, Chief Executive Officer at RiskExec, highlighted this shift. “As the industry navigates increased complexity, new technologies, and regulatory scrutiny, The Forum plays a critical role in bringing together industry participants to share insight and to advance impactful innovation,” he stated. Pieczkowski's emphasis on “thoughtful, candid discussions around fair lending, CRA, and evolving supervisory expectations” points to a program designed to move beyond theory and into the granular, data-driven realities of compliance.

This focus is timely, as many institutions struggle with foundational data governance issues. Challenges such as inconsistent data definitions across regulatory reports, difficulties adhering to principles for risk data aggregation, and fragmented customer data across disparate systems create significant compliance hurdles. The conference’s agenda, which includes deep dives on fair lending and CRA, is expected to provide attendees with actionable strategies for leveraging technology to overcome these data challenges and build a more coherent, defensible compliance posture.

A Collaborative Defense in an Era of Scrutiny

While the substantive content is critical, Asurity is also promoting the event as an immersive experience designed to foster community and collaboration. The press release emphasizes dynamic networking opportunities and receptions set against the vibrant backdrop of New Orleans. This focus on peer-to-peer interaction acknowledges a crucial reality: in the face of ambiguous or rapidly changing rules, shared wisdom is often the most valuable resource.

The Forum aims to convene a diverse group of stakeholders, from established banks and private mortgage lenders to agile fintechs and the law firms that advise them. This mix is intended to spark the kind of cross-disciplinary conversations that lead to novel solutions. For a compliance officer at a regional bank, hearing from a fintech innovator about their approach to algorithmic fairness could provide a breakthrough insight. Likewise, a technology provider can gain invaluable feedback by listening to the real-world implementation challenges faced by lenders.

Fontaine’s goal, as stated in the release, is “to create an environment where big ideas can be exchanged, and lasting partnerships formed.” This collaborative ethos transforms the conference from a simple educational event into a strategic gathering. Attendees will not only receive updates on regulations but will also build a network of peers they can call upon when facing similar challenges long after the event concludes. The availability of CRCM continuing education credits, with CERP and CLE credits pending, further cements its value as a professional development tool, providing tangible benefits that attendees can bring back to their organizations.

As the financial industry stands at a crossroads of technological disruption and heightened regulatory expectations, events that combine substantive expertise with meaningful collaboration are more critical than ever. The 2026 Forum is positioned to be a key battleground for ideas and strategies that will shape the future of responsible banking. Early bird registration for the event is available through February 16, 2026.