Schedule of Events
Tentative as of September 10, 2026 (Subject to change)
A Note About the MoneyTrends Conference Exhibit Hall:
Except where noted, the MoneyTrends Conference Exhibit Hall, sponsored by Ria Money Transfer, is open continuously throughout the Conference, offering nonstop access to the latest products, cutting-edge services, and innovative vendor displays. We encourage attendees to explore the Exhibit Hall throughout the Conference to network with exhibitors and other attendees and discover what’s new in the industry. Be sure to check your conference agenda for scheduled food and beverage times so you can refuel while you explore.
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PRE-CONFERENCE
Monday, October 5, 2026
6:00 AM-1:00 PM: Freeman Exhibit Hall Setup
Location: Tower Ballroom
(Freeman Personnel Only)
11:30 PM-1:30 PM California Financial Service Providers (CFSP)
Annual Meeting
(Open to CFSP Members and Invited Guests. Attendance does not provide access to the MoneyTrends Conference)
Join CFSP for its Annual Meeting, focusing on the legislative outlook and opportunities for 2027. This session will feature lunch for attendees, sponsored by Flex Payment Solutions.
Location: Michelangelo
(Lunch Provided)
1:00 PM-6:00 PM: Exhibit Hall Setup
(Lunch Provided for Exhibitors)
Location: Tower Ballroom
1:00 PM-5:00 PM: Registration Open
Location: DaVinci Foyer
Sponsored by Western Union
2:00 PM–5:00 PM: INFiN Board of Directors Meeting
(INFiN Board Members and Invited Guests Only)
Location: DaVinci 1 & 2
(Light Refreshments Provided)
5:00 PM-6:30 PM: Meet & Mingle Cocktail Reception
Location: Renaissance Foyer
Sponsored by Ria Money Transfer
Welcome the start of your conference experience at our early arrival Reception, featuring handcrafted cocktails and a vibrant atmosphere. This Reception is the perfect opportunity to renew old acquaintances, forge new connections, and set a collaborative tone for the days ahead.
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DAY ONE
Tuesday, October 6, 2026
8:00 AM-5:00 PM: Registration Open
Location: DaVinci Foyer
Sponsored by Western Union
8:00 AM-5:00 PM: The Wintrust Networking Lounge
Location: Tower Ballroom Promenade
Sponsored by Wintrust
Step away from the hectic exhibit floor and into the exclusive Wintrust Networking Lounge, a dedicated space designed for attendees to relax, refresh, and build meaningful professional connections. Stay fully energized and productive throughout the entire conference by taking advantage of a comfortable seating environment equipped with convenient device charging stations.
8:00 AM-10:00 AM: Exhibit Hall Breakfast and Networking
Location: Tower Ballroom Exhibit Hall
Sponsored by CheckFreePay
9:00 AM-10:00 AM: Roundtable Session I
Topic: Legal Issues
Navigating the Legal Minefield of Consumer Financial Services Location: Raphael 1
Protecting your organization from shifting regulatory risks requires a proactive strategy. Whether you are a storefront consumer lender, a fintech provider, or a money services business (MSB), our panel of seasoned experts will break down complex legal hurdles into clear, actionable compliance frameworks for businesses of all sizes. Designed for “in-house” counsel, general practitioners, compliance officers, legal technology staff, and operations personnel responsible for spotting legal issues impacting your business, this interactive Roundtable Session will meet the needs of all levels of experience.
Moderator:
Andrea Andre, President, FinGuard Compliance, LLC
Panelists:
Justin Hosie, Partner, Hudson Cook, LLP
Blake Sims, Partner, Hudson Cook, LLP
Joshua Ditmore, General Counsel, QC Holdings, Inc.
William Ettelson, Sr. VP, General Counsel & CCO, P
LS Financial Services, Inc.
R. Paul Soter, Jr., Partner, Law Offices of Paul Soter
10:00 AM-11:00 AM: Decoding DC: INFiN’s Political Outlook
(All MoneyTrends Conference Attendees Welcome)
Location: Raphael 2
Stay informed about the political developments shaping the consumer financial services landscape through this high-level discussion with the INFiN and industry government relations team. This session is led by senior government affairs professionals with deep expertise in the industry. You'll gain actionable insights into congressional dynamics from the first two years of the 119th Congress, examining the key legislative battles such as emerging legislation on CFPB reform, financial services deregulation, cryptocurrency, artificial intelligence, regulatory rollbacks, and forecasts for the 2026 midterm elections. This briefing will help you stay informed, aligned, and strategically prepared for what’s ahead.
Moderator:
John Rabenold, Chief Government Affairs Officer, CNG Holdings, Inc.
Presenters:
Matthew Lapinski, CEO, Crossroads Strategies
Hunter Moorhead, Principal, Crossroads Strategies
Tim Rupli, Principal, T.R. Rupli & Associates
Ivan Zapien, Partner, Hogan Lovells Cadwalader, LLP
Jack Victory, President, Capitol Hill Consulting
11:00 AM-12:00 PM: Breakout Session I (See Breakout Schedule)
Location: DaVinci 1-4
Sponsored by Republic Bank of Chicago
Interspersed throughout the MoneyTrends Conference, this series of educational workshop sessions offers hands-on, practical knowledge designed to complement the main stage presentations. Attendees will walk away with actionable insights and tangible strategies that maximize the overall value of their event experience.
12:00 PM-2:00 PM: Exhibit Hall Luncheon and Networking
Location: Tower Ballroom Exhibit Hall
Sponsored by SentiLink
2:00 PM-4:00 PM: General Session I
Location: Tower Ballroom
Sponsored by Ria Money Transfer
Conference Opening and Welcome to MoneyTrends!
Ed D’Alessio, INFiN Executive Director
Welcome to Las Vegas
James Marchesi, Founder & President
Check City Partnership, LLC
Las Vegas, NV
Keynote Speaker:
The Honorable Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX)
U.S. House Committee on Financial Services
Sponsor Remarks:
Shawn Fielder, Chief Executive Officer
Ria Money Transfer
Presentation:
The CFPB at a Crossroads—Past, Present, and Future
Session Spotlight:
Join us for a dynamic, unscripted conversation featuring John McNamara (former Principal Assistant Director, Markets, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and current Chief Growth Officer, Avtal) and INFiN Executive Director, Ed D'Alessio, as they sit down for a fireside chat. Together, they will dissect the evolution of the CFPB, its current regulatory trajectory, and what the future holds for non-bank financial services.
Research Presentation:
“Less for You, More for Me: Credit Reallocation and Rationing Under Usury Limits”
Presenter:
Donald P. Morgan, Ph.D.
Don Morgan is a prominent American economist who served as Research Advisor for three decades at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. His research focuses on banking and household finance; particularly how regulatory policies affect consumer credit access and welfare. Informed by his decades of research on small dollar lending, Dr. Morgan’s presentation will discuss the costs - to borrowers - of consumer credit protection. He will present key findings from his latest study, showing that interest rate caps limit credit supply to riskier households, not credit costs, without relieving loan delinquency.
4:00 PM-4:30 PM: Afternoon Break
Location: Renaissance Foyer
Sponsored by Answers etc.
4:30 PM-5:30PM: Roundtable Session II
Topic: Operations Management
Beyond the "What": Mastering the "How" of Business Operations
Location: Raphael 1
Business operations represent the practical mechanisms through which a company executes strategies, manages resources, and delivers value to customers. This session provides an opportunity for managers at all levels to discuss the daily, common issues involved with running any business or organization. Attendees will have the chance to exchange ideas and learn from the experiences of other operators across all aspects of daily management. This session is open to all MoneyTrends attendees. It is ideal for leaders and managers in operations, strategic planning, finance, risk management, retail, and training.
Moderator:
Dan Gwaltney, CEO, Payday Money Centers
Panelists:
Brian Socolow, Chief Operating Officer, TASO Group
Dave Pencille, VP, Store Operations, PLS Financial Services, Inc.
Haris Qureshi, Managing Partner, A1 Group
Zaheer Ansari, Managing Partner, A1 Group
Tim Mackin, Director of Sales and Marketing, Answers, Etc.
4:30 PM-5:30 PM: Roundtable Session III
Topic: Credit & Collections
Protecting the Portfolio: Credit, Collections, and Compliance
Location: Raphael 2
Mastering credit and collections is vital for your company’s cash flow. Effectively extending credit, setting limits, and actively recovering debt drives profitability, but one legal misstep can put your portfolio at risk. Learn how to optimize your cash flow and protect your business while navigating strict lending, credit reporting, and collections laws. This session is open to all MoneyTrends Conference attendees and will be highly beneficial for a broad range of professionals whose roles involve managing accounts receivable, mitigating credit risk, and recovering outstanding debts.
Moderator:
Chuck Dodge, Partner, Hudson Cook, LLP
Panelists:
Elisha Brown, Director of Compliance, Montgomery Enterprises
Andres Strulovic, AltFi AE, SentiLink Corp.
Heidi Welch, CEO, USA Cash Services
Hosain Khawaja, Head of Collections, A1 Check Cashers
6:00 PM-8:00 PM: Meet Me at the Bellagio Welcome Reception
Location: Como Poolside Café
Sponsored by Hudson Cook, LLP
Join us at the gorgeous Como Poolside Café for the official MoneyTrends Conference Welcome Reception. This isn’t just another networking mixer - it is hands-down a highlight of the Conference, blending laid-back resort vibes with high-energy connections. Waiting for you by the water: premium open bar, heavy hors d’oeuvres, and a vibrant soundtrack designed to set the perfect mood. Catch up with old colleagues, make high-value new connections, and kick off the MoneyTrends Conference in style.
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DAY TWO
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
8:00 AM-5:00 PM: Registration Open
Location: Da Vinci Foyer
Sponsored by Western Union
8:00 AM-5:00 PM: The Wintrust Networking Lounge
Location: Tower Ballroom Promenade
Sponsored by Wintrust
Step away from the hectic exhibit floor and into the exclusive Wintrust Networking Lounge, a dedicated space designed for attendees to relax, refresh, and build meaningful professional connections. Stay fully energized and productive throughout the entire conference by taking advantage of a comfortable seating environment equipped with convenient device charging stations.
8:00 AM-10:00 AM: Exhibit Hall Breakfast and Networking
Location: Tower Ballroom Exhibit Hall
Sponsored by MoneyGram
8:00 AM-9:00 AM: INFiN State Engagement Meeting
Location: Michaelangelo
Meeting Leader:
John Rabenold, Chief Government Affairs Officer,
CNG Holdings, Inc./INFiN State Engagement Committee Chairman
(All MoneyTrends Conference Attendees Welcome)
9:00 AM-10:00 AM: Breakout Session II (See Breakout Schedule)
Location: DaVinci 1-4
Sponsored by Republic Bank of Chicago
Interspersed throughout the MoneyTrends Conference, this series of educational workshop sessions offers hands-on, practical knowledge designed to complement the main stage presentations. Attendees will walk away with actionable insights and tangible strategies that maximize the overall value of their event experience.
10:00 AM-10:45 AM: INFiN Annual Meeting and Election of Officers and Directors
INFiN Engagement Update
(All MoneyTrends Conference Attendees Welcome)
Location: Tower Ballroom
11:00 AM-12:30 PM: General Session II-Part 1
Location: Tower Ballroom
Sponsored by SentiLink
Session Introduction:
Ed D’Alessio, INFiN Executive Director
Presentation:
Michael Weissman, CEO, NetSpend
Panel Presentation:
Advanced AI & Machine Learning: Transforming Fraud Prevention, Compliance, and Complaint Management
This dynamic panel presentation will explore how modern organizations can leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning to build agile, proactive systems for enterprise-wide risk management. Beyond fraud detection, the panel will dive deep into how AI and automation are redefining regulatory compliance and modernizing consumer complaint management functions. Attendees will learn actionable strategies for deploying advanced technological tools to analyze data streams, automate regulatory reporting, resolve consumer grievances efficiently, and secure their business infrastructure while maximizing ROI.
Presenters:
Andres Strulovic, AltFi AE, SentiLink Corp.
Jonathon Ritchie, VP - Client Operations and Client Success, SpringLabs
Presentation:
Judicial Challenges to the FinCEN SW Geographic Targeting Order
This presentation will examine the legal actions and constitutional arguments brought against the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network’s (FinCEN) Southwest Geographic Targeting Order. Attendees will gain critical insights into the status of these judicial challenges, how they have impacted the BSA reporting and compliance requirements for MSBs on the southern border, and the potential for additional relief as they proceed.
Presenter:
Betsy Sanz, Litigation Fellow, Institute for Justice
Panel Presentation:
The Changing Landscape for Small-Dollar Lending (State Laws, DIDMCA, Bank Partnership Models, The Future of Dodd-Frank, and More)
This panel presentation will explore the shifting regulatory and operational environment of the small-dollar lending industry, focusing on the impact of changing state laws, DIDMCA, and the evolving bank partnership model. Industry experts will analyze critical compliance challenges and forecast the future of Dodd-Frank and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to provide actionable insights for navigating this complex market.
Presenters:
Blake Sims, Partner, Hudson Cook, LLP
Justin Hosie, Partner, Hudson Cook, LLP
Solveig Singleton, Policy Analyst, Center for Monetary and Financial Alternatives, CATO Institute
12:30 PM-2:00 PM: MoneyTrends 2026 Annual Awards Luncheon
Location: Raphael
Sponsored by Western Union
Join us for our annual Awards Luncheon, featuring our StAR, Activa, and William Siegel Financial Service Provider of the Year Awards
Sponsor Welcome:
Jesse Mory, Sr. VP, Strategic Partnerships, Western Union
Presenters:
Ed D’Alessio, INFiN Executive Director
LeeAnn Thompson, INFiN Director of Member Services
2:00 PM-3:00 PM: Breakout Session III (See Breakout Schedule)
Location: DaVinci 1-4
Sponsored by Republic Bank of Chicago
Interspersed throughout the MoneyTrends Conference, this series of educational workshop sessions offers hands-on, practical knowledge designed to complement the main stage presentations. Attendees will walk away with actionable insights and tangible strategies that maximize the overall value of their event experience.
3:00 PM-4:00 PM: General Session II-Part 2
Location: Tower Ballroom
Sponsored by SentiLink
Panel Presentation:
MSBs Under Fire: Surviving Remittance Taxes, Geographic Targeting Orders, “Common Cents” Legislation, Federal and State Regulatory Shifts, and Other Challenges
Location: Tower Ballroom
This panel will explore the critical legal, financial, and operational threats currently facing MSBs in an increasingly challenging environment. Industry experts will break down actionable compliance and survival strategies for navigating federal and state remittance taxes, Geographic Targeting Orders (GTOs), currency handling, and significant changes to BSA/AML regulations. Attendees will gain vital insights into adapting to rapid state and federal regulatory shifts while maintaining operational resilience.
Presenters:
Adam Fleischer, Partner, Cooley, LLP
Joe Massie, CCO and General Counsel, Viamericas
Jacob Thompson, Consumer Protection Manager, Ria Money Transfer
Kathy Tomasofsky, Executive Director, Money Services Business Association
4:00 PM-5:30 PM: The Check Cashing Forum
Location: DaVinci 1
Sponsored by Digital Currency Systems
The future of check cashing is being rewritten at MoneyTrends 2026, and you need to be in the room. For the first time ever, the entire ecosystem, operators, banks, armored carriers, compliance officers, marketers, and top vendors, is locking doors for a high-octane, two-hour collaborative session to tackle the industry’s fiercest bottlenecks and map out the next decade of non-bank financial services. This session is free and fully open to all registered MoneyTrends 2026 attendees. Show up ready to speak out, share data, and engineer real-world solutions.
Presenters:
To be announced
6:00 PM-8:00 PM: Exhibit Hall Reception: Booths, Bites, & Beverage Bash
Location: Tower Ballroom Exhibit Hall
Sponsored by Ria Money Transfer
Get ready for an unforgettable night featuring a live DJ spinning everyone’s favorite hits, a mesmerizing contortionist striking mind blowing poses atop a gigantic glimmering disco ball, and Las Vegas’ iconic showgirls taking the stage. It’s high-energy entertainment, INFiN style—created to keep the party going and the connections flowing!
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DAY THREE
Thursday, October 8, 2026
8:00 AM-9:00 AM: Exhibit Hall Breakfast
Location: Tower Ballroom
Sponsored by Western Union
8:00 AM-12:00 PM: The Wintrust Networking Lounge
Location: Tower Ballroom Pre-Function
Sponsored by Wintrust
Step away from the hectic exhibit floor and into the exclusive Wintrust Networking Lounge, a dedicated space designed for attendees to relax, refresh, and build meaningful professional connections. Stay fully energized and productive throughout the entire conference by taking advantage of a comfortable seating environment equipped with convenient device charging stations.
9:00 AM-10:00 AM: Roundtable Session IV
Topic: Information Security
Guardians of the Grid: Strategic Approaches to Modern Information Security
Location: Raphael 2
This expert-led roundtable covers major cybersecurity threats like malware and breaches using the core principles of data confidentiality, integrity, and availability. You will learn how these risks compromise sensitive information and why strong security controls are vital. Frontline professionals will share valuable, real-world strategies for daily operations. Walk away with practical guidance you can apply on day one to protect your organization.
Moderator:
Joe Coleman, President, Rite Check Cashing
Panelists:
Richard E. Davis, Chief Information Security Officer and Post-Quantum Cryptography SME, Qeros Inc.
Warren Sharer, Sr. Director, IT Infrastructure, Operations & Security, PLS Financial Services, Inc.
10:00 AM-12:00 PM: BSA/AML Compliance Training Program
(Separate Registration Required-Certificate of Completion Issued)
Location: Raphael
Sponsored by Western Union
Instructors:
Ryan Spetoskey, Vice President, AML Compliance, North America, Global Compliance, Western Union
Jim William Khalaf, Senior Manager, Global Compliance, Western Union
Carlin McCrory, Associate, Troutman, Pepper, Locke
9:00 AM-2:00 PM: Conference Close/Exhibitor Teardown
Location: Tower Ballroom Exhibit Hall
Thank you to our Sponsors!
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See you next year!
MoneyTrends 2027
September 19-22, 2027
Westin La Paloma
Tucson, AZ
Note: The MoneyTrends Conference is open to registered attendees and invited guests only. Registration badges must be displayed at all times. All MoneyTrends Conference sessions are closed press.
A Note About Our Exhibit Hall: Except where noted, the MoneyTrends Conference Exhibit Hall, sponsored by Ria Money Transfer, is open continuously throughout the Conference, offering nonstop access to the latest products, cutting-edge services, and innovative vendor displays. We encourage attendees to explore the Exhibit Hall throughout the Conference to network with exhibitors and other attendees and discover what’s new in the industry. Be sure to check your conference agenda for scheduled food and beverage times so you can refuel while you explore.
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