Eric Hilaire | Future Branches Austin

Future Branches Austin 2025

November 18 - 20, 2025

JW Marriott Austin, TX

Eric Hilaire

Eric Hilaire

Co-Founder VaultRight

Eric Hilaire co-founded VaultRight with a vision to modernize outdated paper-based and ineffective branch operations practices still prevalent in thousands of financial institutions nationwide. Hilaire has more than 20 years of experience in the financial services industry serving in executive leadership roles overseeing Retail Banking and Technology. Hilaire holds an MBA from Oklahoma State University and a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Management Information Systems from The University of Oklahoma.

Day 2: From Transactions To Relationships: Elevating CX In A Trust-Driven Era

2:05 PM Chair’s Opening Remarks

2:15 PM Panel: Data-Driven Branches: Planning Your Network with Insights and Analytics

What if your branch network could be designed with precision based on customer behavior and market analytics? This session dives into how financial institutions are using data to optimize branch locations, tailor designs to community needs, and create purpose-driven spaces. Discover how analytics can inform decisions about branch formats, staffing models, and the integration of digital tools like ITMs and self-service kiosks. Gain actionable insights on aligning your branch strategy with the evolving expectations of your customers while maximizing operational efficiency. Learn how to: 

  • Identify the data that you need and how to ask for it in a useful way 
  • Understand predictive analytics that can be used to identify growth opportunities, optimize branch strategies, and improve customer engagement by anticipating needs 
  • Explore metrics to measure success and identify areas for improvement 

3:20 PM Panel: Building an AI Roadmap: Insights for Banks and Credit Unions

AI is reshaping the financial services landscape, offering transformative opportunities for banks and credit unions– if there is the will, momentum, and cross-organization collaboration to put together the roadmap. In this fireside chat, Brandon McGee, Chief Digital Strategy Officer from A+ Federal Credit Union, will offer real-world insights on navigating the complexities of AI adoption. Attendees will learn about potential use cases for AI as well as considerations and strategic planning that can be used to align the organizational approach incorporating AI into your workflows, tools, and teams. The discussion will highlight examples of successful implementations, providing actionable frameworks for integrating AI into operations, digital platforms, and decision-making processes. Get insights into: 

  • Identifying use cases where AI can be helpful to financial institutions  
  • Developing an AI implementation strategy tailored to your institution's needs 
  • Considering ethical implications in AI deployment, including data privacy, bias reduction, and more 
  • Defining metrics to measure success in an experimental environment 

Check out the incredible speaker line-up to see who will be joining Eric.

Download The Latest Agenda