# Atlantic Union Bankshares: AI strategy

Source: https://www.bankingnewsai.com/banks/atlantic-union
Last updated: Oct 13, 2026

*A $37 billion Mid-Atlantic bank whose CIO calls it innovation 'with a little i': automate what you already have, which is how it converted a $14 billion acquisition with a ten-person team checking 80 million values.*

## How is Atlantic Union using AI?

Atlantic Union Bankshares, the Richmond, Virginia parent of Atlantic Union Bank with about $37 billion of assets, does not run a branded AI programme, but its CIO made American Banker's 2026 Most Innovative People in Finance list for automating a merger conversion. When it completed the $14 billion (by asset size) acquisition of Sandy Spring Bancorp in 2025, chief information officer Matt Linderman, a Capital One and PNC veteran who joined in 2023, had his ten-person team automate the entire data conversion: code that checked every value, column and field, more than 80 million values, rather than the industry norm of sampling about 10%, plus a real-time operations dashboard. The result was a call-centre abandonment rate of 13% against a forecast of 50% to 70%, wait times under four minutes and normal call volumes within six days of the October 2025 conversion, a performance American Banker ranked 31st among the year's most innovative in finance. Linderman describes the approach as innovation 'with a little i', innovating within the technology a regional bank can afford rather than buying the newest tools. On AI itself the bank is deliberately cautious. At its December 2025 investor day it described itself as a 'fast follower': build a governance model first, pilot through vendor partnerships, keep near-term uses internal and low-risk, use large language models 'like Chat GPT or Copilot' for teammate productivity and customer experience, and develop AI tools for call-centre quality control, chat and training, with an AI-enhanced chatbot on the consumer-banking roadmap and AI-powered relationship insights planned for treasury bankers. Its technology stack already includes Socure, which the deck describes as an automated machine-learning identity-verification and fraud tool. The 2025 annual report says it is 'exploring exciting opportunities with Artificial Intelligence', notes that some of its models already use AI or machine learning with 'unique complexities' around training data, bias and interpretability, and includes a risk factor on agentic AI and third-party AI models. Its public AI content for customers is about AI fraud. The bank's strategy is growth: ten new North Carolina branches over three years, a roughly $2 billion CRE loan sale to Blackstone in 2025 to reshape the balance sheet, second-quarter 2026 net income to common of $158.0 million, and a first-quarter net charge-off ratio of 0.02%. Atlantic Union Bank is a Virginia state member bank supervised by the Federal Reserve.

## At a glance

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Lead bank | Atlantic Union Bank |
| Ticker | AUB |
| Headquarters | Richmond, VA |
| Consolidated assets | $38,021 million |
| Federal Reserve rank | 54 |
| Charter | Virginia state member bank (Federal Reserve) |

## What AI partnerships and patents does Atlantic Union have?

Atlantic Union's public record names fintech platforms, not AI labs or cloud providers. The December 2025 investor-day deck lists Socure for machine-learning identity verification and fraud, Salesforce for case management, nCino and Blend for lending, Q2 for digital banking and MuleSoft for integration; Spiral (June 2026) and the Cari tokenized-deposit network (July 2026) are payments and deposits partners rather than AI deals. No OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Microsoft or Nvidia agreement is public. A Google Patents assignee search on 14 October 2026 found no granted patents or published applications assigned to Atlantic Union Bank, Atlantic Union Bankshares, Sandy Spring Bank or Xenith Bank. ([Atlantic Union Bankshares (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/883948/000088394825000114/aub-20251210xex99d1.htm), [Business Wire (via Morningstar)](https://www.morningstar.com/news/business-wire/20260616510067/atlantic-union-bank-selects-spiral-to-boost-customer-savings-and-community-impact-through-everyday-banking), [Cari Network (via Business Wire, Yahoo Finance)](https://finance.yahoo.com/technology/ai/articles/cari-joins-american-bankers-association-120000507.html))

| Item | What it is | Status | Date | Sources |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Socure | Automated machine-learning identity verification and fraud management tool | In production | 2025-12-10 | [Atlantic Union Bankshares (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/883948/000088394825000114/aub-20251210xex99d1.htm) |
| Salesforce | Case management for frontline operations and fraud requests, plus lead, referral and client needs analysis | In production | 2025-12-10 | [Atlantic Union Bankshares (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/883948/000088394825000114/aub-20251210xex99d1.htm) |
| nCino and Blend | nCino commercial loan origination in use, nCino for business banking planned; Blend for consumer lending | Rolling out | 2025-12-10 | [Atlantic Union Bankshares (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/883948/000088394825000114/aub-20251210xex99d1.htm) |
| Q2 | Digital banking platform for mobile and online banking, consumer and business | In production | 2025-12-10 | [Atlantic Union Bankshares (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/883948/000088394825000114/aub-20251210xex99d1.htm) |
| MuleSoft | Integration layer brokering connectivity between systems | In production | 2025-12-10 | [Atlantic Union Bankshares (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/883948/000088394825000114/aub-20251210xex99d1.htm) |
| Canapi and fintech funds | Venture and fintech fund investments listed in the investor-day timeline | Invested | 2025-12-10 | [Atlantic Union Bankshares (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/883948/000088394825000114/aub-20251210xex99d1.htm) |
| Spiral | Savings Center and Giving Center: automatic savings, round-ups and donations in digital banking | Selected | 2026-06-16 | [Business Wire (via Morningstar)](https://www.morningstar.com/news/business-wire/20260616510067/atlantic-union-bank-selects-spiral-to-boost-customer-savings-and-community-impact-through-everyday-banking) |
| Cari Network | Bank-governed tokenized deposit network; Atlantic Union named among banks joining | Joined | 2026-07-02 | [Cari Network (via Business Wire, Yahoo Finance)](https://finance.yahoo.com/technology/ai/articles/cari-joins-american-bankers-association-120000507.html) |

## Flagship platform: Automated conversion and validation tooling (Sandy Spring integration)

Atlantic Union's technology story is the October 2025 integration of Sandy Spring Bancorp, its largest deal. Instead of the usual manual spot-check of about 10% of fields and values, CIO Matt Linderman's ten-person team wrote code that validated every value, column and field of the migrated data, more than 80 million values, and paired it with a real-time dashboard of call-centre volumes and other operating metrics as an early-warning system. Call volume returned to normal in six days, the call-centre abandonment rate came in at 13% against a projected 50% to 70%, and average waits stayed under four minutes through 66,000-plus October calls. The 2025 annual report says the bank is 'exploring exciting opportunities with Artificial Intelligence to further drive innovation and efficiency' and discloses that some of its models already use AI or machine learning, with the bias and interpretability risks that brings. ([American Banker](https://www.americanbanker.com/news/atlantic-union-banks-cio-is-31-on-the-most-innovative-people-in-finance-ranking), [Atlantic Union Bankshares](https://investors.atlanticunionbank.com/sec-filings/all-sec-filings/content/0001104659-26-034181/aub-20251231xars.pdf), [Atlantic Union Bank](https://investors.atlanticunionbank.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/206/atlantic-union-bank-completes-integration-of-sandy-spring))

## Key points

- Sandy Spring conversion automated end to end: every field validated (80 million-plus values) instead of 10% sampling; abandonment 13% versus a 50–70% forecast; volumes normal in six days.
- Philosophy from the CIO: innovation 'with a little i', rethinking existing technology because a regional bank 'is not going to have the funding to buy all the latest tech'.
- AI stance is exploratory and disclosed as risk: the annual report says the bank is exploring AI, already uses some AI/ML models, and flags agentic AI and third-party AI models as risks.
- Investor day, December 2025: a 'fast follower' AI strategy (governance, vendor pilots, internal productivity first), LLM use for teammates, an AI-enhanced chatbot and AI call-centre quality control on the roadmap, and Socure machine-learning identity verification already in the stack.
- Customer-facing AI content is defensive: an August 2025 guide on AI fraud, including AI-driven phishing and voice cloning.
- Growth plan: 10 North Carolina branches over three years; M&A on the sideline while Sandy Spring is absorbed; $2 billion CRE loan sale to Blackstone in June 2025.
- Results: Q2 2026 net income to common $158.0 million; Q1 2026 net charge-offs 0.02% of average loans.
- AI first deployment named by the CIO: AI that screens every call-centre recording instead of the roughly 10% reviewed manually today, to flag what works and improve training; Linderman calls it part of 'a pretty audacious AI agenda' (American Banker, 1 June 2026).
- Filings carry AI language: the 2025 10-K (filed 26 February 2026) says some models use AI or machine learning, warns that generative models can give incorrect outputs or release confidential information, and the Q1 and Q2 2026 10-Qs list AI-related legal, regulatory and cyber risk among forward-looking factors.
- Earnings calls say little about AI: the published Q1 (21 April) and Q2 (21 July 2026) call transcripts contain no AI discussion, so the plan sits in the December 2025 investor-day deck, the annual report letter and the CIO interview.
- Named vendor stack is fintech, not AI labs: the investor-day deck lists Socure, Salesforce (case management for operations and fraud requests), nCino, Blend, Q2 and MuleSoft, with an aim to 'continue to reduce reliance on one core vendor'. No OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Microsoft or Nvidia agreement is public.
- Leadership turnover around the finance and credit seats: Alex Dodd (ex-TD Bank Group deputy CFO) became CFO on 13 April 2026 after Rob Gorman, and Chief Credit Officer Doug Woolley will retire on 1 April 2027.
- Payments and deposits partnerships: Spiral savings and giving tools (16 June 2026) and a place among banks joining the Cari tokenized-deposit network (2 July 2026); CEO John Asbury told the ABA in October 2025 that banks should embrace generative and agentic AI responsibly.

## Timeline

- Aug 6, 2026 — **Second-quarter 10-Q repeats the AI risk language** Forward-looking factors again cite emerging AI issues and fintech competition. ([SEC (EDGAR)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/883948/000088394826000073/aub-20260630x10q.htm))
- Jul 21, 2026 — **Second-quarter call: efficiency ratio 47.47%, ten North Carolina branches** Adjusted operating efficiency ratio 47.47% and 2026 expense guidance $742–752 million; seven Raleigh and three Wilmington branches, the first opening in July. The transcript contains no AI discussion. ([Investing.com](https://www.investing.com/news/transcripts/earnings-call-transcript-atlantic-union-bankshares-tops-q2-2026-estimates-93CH-4803697))
- Jul 21, 2026 — **Second-quarter 2026 results** Net income to common $158.0 million; adjusted operating $134.0 million. ([Atlantic Union Bankshares](https://investors.atlanticunionbank.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/222/atlantic-union-bankshares-reports-second-quarter-financial))
- Jul 2, 2026 — **Named among banks joining the Cari tokenized-deposit network** Cari said more than 30 banks had joined, with about 40 more in talks. ([Cari Network (via Business Wire, Yahoo Finance)](https://finance.yahoo.com/technology/ai/articles/cari-joins-american-bankers-association-120000507.html))
- Jun 16, 2026 — **Spiral selected for savings and giving tools** Customers of the $37 billion, 800,000-customer bank get automatic savings, round-ups and a Giving Center. ([Business Wire (via Morningstar)](https://www.morningstar.com/news/business-wire/20260616510067/atlantic-union-bank-selects-spiral-to-boost-customer-savings-and-community-impact-through-everyday-banking))
- Jun 3, 2026 — **Chief Credit Officer Doug Woolley to retire April 2027** Serving since 2016; the bank started a nationwide search with an executive search firm. ([Atlantic Union Bank](https://investors.atlanticunionbank.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/219/atlantic-union-bank-announces-planned-retirement-of-doug))
- Jun 1, 2026 — **CIO ranked No. 31 for automating the merger** 80 million values validated; abandonment 13% versus 50–70% forecast. ([American Banker](https://www.americanbanker.com/news/atlantic-union-banks-cio-is-31-on-the-most-innovative-people-in-finance-ranking))
- May 21, 2026 — **First-quarter net charge-offs of 0.02%** Among the lowest of its peers. ([American Banker](https://americanbanker.com/news/whats-a-banker-to-say-when-charge-offs-are-microscopic))
- May 5, 2026 — **First-quarter 10-Q lists AI among forward-looking risks** Cites emerging AI issues that could prompt legal or regulatory action or raise the likelihood of a successful cyber-attack. ([SEC (EDGAR)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/883948/000088394826000047/aub-20260331x10q.htm))
- Apr 21, 2026 — **First-quarter call guides 2026 expense to $742–752 million** Dodd's first call as CFO; the transcript contains no AI discussion. Net charge-offs 2 basis points annualised. ([The Motley Fool](https://www.fool.com/earnings/call-transcripts/2026/04/21/atlantic-union-aub-q1-2026-earnings-transcript/))
- Apr 13, 2026 — **Dodd takes over as CFO; Gorman moves to adviser** Gorman remains Senior Financial Advisor to 30 September 2026 and consults for a year after. ([SEC (EDGAR)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/883948/000110465926018812/tm267065d1_8k.htm))
- Mar 25, 2026 — **Annual report: 'exploring' AI, with an agentic-AI risk factor** Some models already use AI or machine learning. ([Atlantic Union Bankshares](https://investors.atlanticunionbank.com/sec-filings/all-sec-filings/content/0001104659-26-034181/aub-20251231xars.pdf))
- Mar 16, 2026 — **CIO publishes conversion lessons in Forbes** Linderman writes that AI, automation and advanced validation tools will make future conversions faster and more precise, with preparation, governance and people the foundation. ([Forbes Technology Council](https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbestechcouncil/2026/03/16/what-every-organization-can-learn-from-a-bank-system-conversion/))
- Feb 26, 2026 — **Form 10-K filed with AI model and agentic-AI risk language** Says some models use AI or machine learning, that third-party AI models limit visibility into training data, and that generative models may produce incorrect outputs or release confidential information. ([SEC (EDGAR)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/883948/000088394826000021/aub-20251231x10k.htm))
- Feb 24, 2026 — **Alex Dodd named CFO** Dodd, 49, spent nearly 20 years at TD Bank Group, most recently as deputy CFO; effective 13 April 2026. ([SEC (EDGAR)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/883948/000110465926018812/tm267065d1_8k.htm))
- Dec 10, 2025 — **Investor-day deck names the technology vendor stack** Lists Socure, Salesforce, nCino, Blend, Q2 and MuleSoft, plans an AI-enhanced chatbot and AI call-centre quality control, and states an aim to reduce reliance on one core vendor. ([Atlantic Union Bankshares (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/883948/000088394825000114/aub-20251210xex99d1.htm))
- Dec 10, 2025 — **Investor day sets a 'fast follower' AI strategy** Near term: AI governance, vendor partnerships and internal, low-risk productivity uses; later, customer-facing uses. Use-case categories span servicing, operations, fraud and risk, revenue and generative engine optimisation. ([Atlantic Union Bankshares (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/883948/000088394825000114/aub-20251210xex99d1.htm))
- Oct 23, 2025 — **Ten North Carolina branches planned** Raleigh and Wilmington over three years; M&A on the sideline. ([American Banker](https://www.americanbanker.com/news/atlantic-union-plans-more-branches-to-speed-carolinas-growth))
- Oct 20, 2025 — **Asbury urges responsible use of generative and agentic AI** In his final address as ABA chair, the CEO listed continuing to embrace generative and agentic AI in a responsible manner among the industry's tasks. ([ABA Banking Journal](https://bankingjournal.aba.com/2025/10/asbury-energized-to-keep-fighting-for-banking-industry/))
- Oct 14, 2025 — **Sandy Spring integration completed** Data conversion and systems integration unify the bank across four jurisdictions. ([Atlantic Union Bank](https://investors.atlanticunionbank.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/206/atlantic-union-bank-completes-integration-of-sandy-spring))
- Jun 27, 2025 — **About $2 billion of CRE loans sold to Blackstone** Balance-sheet reshaping after the Sandy Spring deal. ([Banking Dive](https://www.bankingdive.com/news/atlantic-union-sells-roughly-2-billion-cre-loans-blackstone/751889/))
- May 22, 2025 — **CFO Rob Gorman announces retirement** Gorman, CFO since 2012, planned to retire on or before 31 March 2026 once a successor was found; a nationwide search followed. ([Atlantic Union Bankshares](https://investors.atlanticunionbank.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/199/atlantic-union-bankshares-announces-planned-retirement-of))
- May 13, 2025 — **CEO looks south to the Carolinas** Next chapter planned while integrating the $1.3 billion Sandy Spring purchase. ([American Banker](https://www.americanbanker.com/news/atlantic-unions-growth-minded-ceo-looks-south-to-carolinas))
- Apr 1, 2025 — **Sandy Spring Bancorp acquisition closes** An all-stock deal valued at about $1.3 billion at closing; Sandy Spring Bank merged into Atlantic Union Bank the same day, with the systems conversion following in October. ([Atlantic Union Bankshares](https://investors.atlanticunionbank.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/195/atlantic-union-bankshares-corporation-completes-acquisition), [Atlantic Union Bank](https://investors.atlanticunionbank.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/206/atlantic-union-bank-completes-integration-of-sandy-spring))

## Where AI runs

| Use case | What | Status | Detail | Sources |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Generative & agentic AI](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#generative-agentic-ai) | Automated merger data conversion and validation | In production | Code-based checks on every migrated value; real-time operations dashboard. | [American Banker](https://www.americanbanker.com/news/atlantic-union-banks-cio-is-31-on-the-most-innovative-people-in-finance-ranking) |
| [Model risk management](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#model-risk) | AI and machine-learning models in use | In production | Disclosed in the 10-K with training-data, bias and interpretability risks. | [Atlantic Union Bankshares](https://investors.atlanticunionbank.com/sec-filings/all-sec-filings/content/0001104659-26-034181/aub-20251231xars.pdf) |
| [AI governance (general)](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#governance-general) | Exploratory AI programme | Pilot | 'Exploring exciting opportunities with Artificial Intelligence'; agentic and third-party model risks flagged. | [Atlantic Union Bankshares](https://investors.atlanticunionbank.com/sec-filings/all-sec-filings/content/0001104659-26-034181/aub-20251231xars.pdf) |
| [Fraud detection](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#fraud) | Socure machine-learning identity verification | In production | Listed in the bank's technology stack as an automated machine-learning identity-verification and fraud-management tool. | [Atlantic Union Bankshares (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/883948/000088394825000114/aub-20251210xex99d1.htm) |
| [Customer-facing chatbots](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#customer-chatbots) | AI-enhanced chatbot and AI call-centre tools | Announced | An AI-enhanced chatbot is on the consumer-banking roadmap; AI tools for call-centre quality control, chat and training are planned. | [Atlantic Union Bankshares (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/883948/000088394825000114/aub-20251210xex99d1.htm) |
| [Generative & agentic AI](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#generative-agentic-ai) | Large language models for teammate productivity | Announced | LLM capabilities 'like Chat GPT or Copilot', teammate productivity and customer experience first; AI-powered relationship insights planned for treasury relationship managers. | [Atlantic Union Bankshares (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/883948/000088394825000114/aub-20251210xex99d1.htm) |
| [Fraud detection](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#fraud) | AI fraud education for customers | In production | A customer guide on generative-AI scams, including AI-driven phishing and cloned voices. | [Atlantic Union Bank](https://www.atlanticunionbank.com/bank-better/august-2025/ai-fraud) |
| [Customer-facing chatbots](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#customer-chatbots) | AI screening of every call-centre recording | Announced | The CIO says the first major AI deployment will monitor call-centre recordings, moving from manual review of about 10% of calls to AI screening of all of them, to flag what works and improve training. | [American Banker](https://www.americanbanker.com/news/atlantic-union-banks-cio-is-31-on-the-most-innovative-people-in-finance-ranking) |
| [Third-party & vendor AI](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#third-party-vendors) | Vendor-embedded AI capabilities | Announced | The deck plans to identify key vendor partnerships, pilot, and use existing vendor AI capabilities toward production, with the build-versus-buy boundary still open. | [Atlantic Union Bankshares (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/883948/000088394825000114/aub-20251210xex99d1.htm) |
| [Cybersecurity](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#cybersecurity) | Defence against AI-enabled credential attacks | In production | The 10-K says AI and bots raise the speed and success of credential attacks; the CISO reports to the board risk committee, with annual teammate training and mock phishing. | [SEC (EDGAR)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/883948/000088394826000021/aub-20251231x10k.htm) |
| [AML / KYC](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#aml-kyc) | Machine-learning transaction and suspicious-activity monitoring | Announced | A listed AI use-case category: detecting anomalies in transactions with machine learning to prevent fraud, monitor suspicious activity and assess risk in real time. | [Atlantic Union Bankshares (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/883948/000088394825000114/aub-20251210xex99d1.htm) |
| [Generative & agentic AI](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#generative-agentic-ai) | AI enablement in wealth client services | Announced | The wealth-management plan includes AI enablement in client services and investment management alongside new platforms. | [Atlantic Union Bankshares (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/883948/000088394825000114/aub-20251210xex99d1.htm) |

## Disclosed numbers

| Measure | Value | As of | Sources |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Data values validated in the Sandy Spring conversion | > 80 million (no sampling) | Jun 1, 2026 | [American Banker](https://www.americanbanker.com/news/atlantic-union-banks-cio-is-31-on-the-most-innovative-people-in-finance-ranking) |
| Call-centre abandonment rate in conversion month | 13% (forecast 50–70%) | Jun 1, 2026 | [American Banker](https://www.americanbanker.com/news/atlantic-union-banks-cio-is-31-on-the-most-innovative-people-in-finance-ranking) |
| Calls in October 2025 | > 66,000; volumes normal in 6 days | Jun 1, 2026 | [American Banker](https://www.americanbanker.com/news/atlantic-union-banks-cio-is-31-on-the-most-innovative-people-in-finance-ranking) |
| Consumer-lending cycle-time reduction from automation (investor-day estimate) | 20% | Dec 10, 2025 | [Atlantic Union Bankshares (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/883948/000088394825000114/aub-20251210xex99d1.htm) |
| Sandy Spring deal value at closing | ≈ $1.3 billion (all stock) | Apr 1, 2025 | [Atlantic Union Bankshares](https://investors.atlanticunionbank.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/195/atlantic-union-bankshares-corporation-completes-acquisition) |
| Second-quarter 2026 net income to common | $158.0 million | Jul 21, 2026 | [Atlantic Union Bankshares](https://investors.atlanticunionbank.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/222/atlantic-union-bankshares-reports-second-quarter-financial) |
| First-quarter 2026 net charge-off ratio | 0.02% | May 21, 2026 | [American Banker](https://americanbanker.com/news/whats-a-banker-to-say-when-charge-offs-are-microscopic) |
| CRE loans sold to Blackstone | ≈ $2 billion | Jun 27, 2025 | [Banking Dive](https://www.bankingdive.com/news/atlantic-union-sells-roughly-2-billion-cre-loans-blackstone/751889/) |
| Share of calls reviewed: manual today versus planned AI screening | ≈ 10% to 100% | Jun 1, 2026 | [American Banker](https://www.americanbanker.com/news/atlantic-union-banks-cio-is-31-on-the-most-innovative-people-in-finance-ranking) |
| 2026 adjusted operating noninterest expense guidance | $742–752 million | Jul 21, 2026 | [Investing.com](https://www.investing.com/news/transcripts/earnings-call-transcript-atlantic-union-bankshares-tops-q2-2026-estimates-93CH-4803697) |
| Second-quarter 2026 adjusted operating efficiency ratio | 47.47% | Jul 21, 2026 | [Investing.com](https://www.investing.com/news/transcripts/earnings-call-transcript-atlantic-union-bankshares-tops-q2-2026-estimates-93CH-4803697) |
| 2025 net income | $261.8 million (up 33%) | Jun 1, 2026 | [American Banker](https://www.americanbanker.com/news/atlantic-union-banks-cio-is-31-on-the-most-innovative-people-in-finance-ranking) |
| Customers served | > 800,000 across four jurisdictions | Jun 16, 2026 | [Business Wire (via Morningstar)](https://www.morningstar.com/news/business-wire/20260616510067/atlantic-union-bank-selects-spiral-to-boost-customer-savings-and-community-impact-through-everyday-banking) |
| Banks in the Cari tokenized-deposit network | > 30 (about 40 more in talks) | Jul 2, 2026 | [Cari Network (via Business Wire, Yahoo Finance)](https://finance.yahoo.com/technology/ai/articles/cari-joins-american-bankers-association-120000507.html) |

## Quotes

> "We built code that doesn't sample. That equated to checking more than 80 million values." — Matt Linderman, Chief Information Officer, Jun 1, 2026 ([American Banker](https://www.americanbanker.com/news/atlantic-union-banks-cio-is-31-on-the-most-innovative-people-in-finance-ranking))

> "At a regional scale, we're not going to have the funding to buy all the latest tech. So it's important to think about lowercase-i innovation." — Matt Linderman, Chief Information Officer, Jun 1, 2026 ([American Banker](https://www.americanbanker.com/news/atlantic-union-banks-cio-is-31-on-the-most-innovative-people-in-finance-ranking))

> "We've got a pretty audacious AI agenda." — Matt Linderman, Chief Information Officer, Jun 1, 2026 ([American Banker](https://www.americanbanker.com/news/atlantic-union-banks-cio-is-31-on-the-most-innovative-people-in-finance-ranking))

> "There are a lot of areas where we're so hyped on Gen AI that we lose sight of machine learning practices that have been around for 20 to 30 years." — Matt Linderman, Chief Information Officer, Jun 1, 2026 ([American Banker](https://www.americanbanker.com/news/atlantic-union-banks-cio-is-31-on-the-most-innovative-people-in-finance-ranking))

> "AI, automation and advanced validation tools will make future conversions faster and more precise, but I believe that preparation, governance and people will remain the foundation of true success." — Matt Linderman, Chief Information Officer, Mar 16, 2026 ([Forbes Technology Council](https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbestechcouncil/2026/03/16/what-every-organization-can-learn-from-a-bank-system-conversion/))

> "continuing to embrace new technologies like generative and agentic AI in a responsible manner that ensures that our institutions remain safe and sound." — John Asbury, President and CEO; ABA chair, Oct 20, 2025 ([ABA Banking Journal](https://bankingjournal.aba.com/2025/10/asbury-energized-to-keep-fighting-for-banking-industry/))

> "With the rapid growth of artificial intelligence, we plan to remain fast followers." — Atlantic Union Bankshares, Investor-day presentation, technology roadmap, Dec 10, 2025 ([Atlantic Union Bankshares (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/883948/000088394825000114/aub-20251210xex99d1.htm))

## Who runs AI

- **John Asbury** — President and CEO; chaired the American Bankers Association to October 2025 ([LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncasbury)) ([Atlantic Union Bankshares](https://investors.atlanticunionbank.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/222/atlantic-union-bankshares-reports-second-quarter-financial), [American Banker](https://www.americanbanker.com/news/atlantic-union-plans-more-branches-to-speed-carolinas-growth), [ABA Banking Journal](https://bankingjournal.aba.com/2025/10/asbury-energized-to-keep-fighting-for-banking-industry/))
- **Maria Tedesco** — President and Chief Operating Officer, Atlantic Union Bank ([LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-tedesco-b002104)) ([Atlantic Union Bank](https://investors.atlanticunionbank.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/206/atlantic-union-bank-completes-integration-of-sandy-spring), [American Banker](https://www.americanbanker.com/news/2025-the-most-powerful-women-to-watch-no-24-maria-tedesco-atlantic-union-bank))
- **Matt Linderman** — Chief Information Officer (since 2023; ex-Capital One, PNC); presents the technology and AI roadmap and owns the AI agenda ([American Banker](https://www.americanbanker.com/news/atlantic-union-banks-cio-is-31-on-the-most-innovative-people-in-finance-ranking), [Atlantic Union Bankshares (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/883948/000088394825000114/aub-20251210xex99d1.htm), [Forbes Technology Council](https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbestechcouncil/2026/03/16/what-every-organization-can-learn-from-a-bank-system-conversion/))
- **Doug Woolley** — Chief Credit Officer (since 2016; retiring 1 April 2027, search under way) ([LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-woolley-2810a212a)) ([American Banker](https://www.americanbanker.com/news/atlantic-union-plans-more-branches-to-speed-carolinas-growth), [Atlantic Union Bank](https://investors.atlanticunionbank.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/219/atlantic-union-bank-announces-planned-retirement-of-doug))
- **Shawn O'Brien** — EVP, Consumer and Business Banking Group Executive ([LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-o-brien-a7830719)) ([American Banker](https://small-business-banking.americanbanker.com/profile/shawn-obrien))
- **Alex Dodd** — EVP and Chief Financial Officer (since 13 April 2026; previously deputy CFO at TD Bank Group) ([SEC (EDGAR)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/883948/000110465926018812/tm267065d1_8k.htm), [The Motley Fool](https://www.fool.com/earnings/call-transcripts/2026/04/21/atlantic-union-aub-q1-2026-earnings-transcript/))
- **David Ring** — Wholesale Banking Group Executive, Atlantic Union Bank; plans AI-powered relationship-insight tools for treasury bankers ([Atlantic Union Bankshares (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/883948/000088394825000114/aub-20251210xex99d1.htm))
- **Rob Gorman** — Former CFO (2012 to 13 April 2026); Senior Financial Advisor to 30 September 2026, then consultant to 30 September 2027 ([Atlantic Union Bankshares](https://investors.atlanticunionbank.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/199/atlantic-union-bankshares-announces-planned-retirement-of), [SEC (EDGAR)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/883948/000110465926018812/tm267065d1_8k.htm))

## Which AI vendors and fintechs does Atlantic Union work with?

| Company | What Atlantic Union uses it for | Status | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Socure](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/vendors/socure) | Machine-learning identity verification and fraud management, listed among the bank's fintech partners in its December 2025 investor-day presentation | In production | [Fraud detection](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-tools/fraud-detection) |

Each vendor and fintech page cites the source for the relationship. [AI tools for banks](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-tools) · [fintech and neobank AI dossiers](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/fintech).

## Regulators it answers to

- [Federal Reserve](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/federal-reserve) — Atlantic Union Bank is a Virginia state member bank; Fed model-risk guidance covers the AI and ML models the 10-K discloses and the third-party models it flags. See [SR 11-7](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/documents/fed-sr-11-7), [SR 23-4](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/documents/fed-sr-23-4).
- [CFPB](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/cfpb) — Consumer lending and servicing bring ECOA adverse-action and UDAAP duties to any AI-based decisioning. See [ECOA / Regulation B adverse action (15 U.S.C. 1691(d); 12 CFR 1002.9)](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/documents/cfpb-ecoa-regulation-b-adverse-action).
- [FDIC](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/fdic) — Deposit-insurance supervision and interagency third-party guidance apply to vendor AI models. See [FDIC FIL-29-2023](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/documents/fdic-fil-29-2023).

## What the record suggests

### Automation without a model is still the biggest lever

The merger result came from deterministic code, not machine learning; it shows what a regional bank can get from engineering discipline before buying AI.

### The 10-K reads like a bank preparing to deploy

Naming agentic AI, third-party model provenance and generative-AI error risk a year before launching anything is the disclosure pattern of a bank that expects examiners to ask.

### The conversion tooling is reusable for the Carolinas build-out

Validation code and the operations dashboard transfer to branch openings and any future deal, which is where the 'little i' pays off twice.

### Name the AI use cases next

The bank says it uses AI/ML models today and its investor day listed categories of use (servicing, operations, fraud and risk, revenue); saying which models already run where would let investors weigh the risk factor it has written.

## FAQ

### How does Atlantic Union Bank use AI?

Atlantic Union says in its 2025 annual report that it is exploring opportunities with artificial intelligence and that some of the models it uses already employ AI or machine learning. At its December 2025 investor day it set out a 'fast follower' AI strategy focused first on governance, vendor pilots and internal productivity, listed Socure (a machine-learning identity-verification and fraud tool) in its technology stack, and put an AI-enhanced chatbot and AI call-centre quality-control tools on its roadmap. Its best-documented technology achievement is the automated data conversion and validation for the Sandy Spring Bancorp integration in October 2025.

### Who is Atlantic Union's CIO?

Matt Linderman, who joined in 2023 after 20 years at large banks including Capital One and PNC. He was ranked 31st on American Banker's 2026 Most Innovative People in Finance for automating the Sandy Spring merger conversion with a ten-person team.

### Who leads AI at Atlantic Union?

The sources reviewed name no chief AI officer or chief data officer. Matt Linderman, chief information officer since 2023 and a Capital One and PNC veteran, owns the technology and AI roadmap and told American Banker in June 2026 that the bank has 'a pretty audacious AI agenda', starting with AI screening of every call-centre recording. CEO John Asbury set the tone in October 2025 by urging responsible use of generative and agentic AI. David Ring, wholesale banking group executive, plans AI relationship-insight tools for treasury bankers. Alex Dodd became CFO on 13 April 2026, and Maria Tedesco is president and chief operating officer of the bank.

### Does Atlantic Union use generative AI?

Only in limited, mostly internal ways, on the public record. The December 2025 investor-day deck says the bank will use large language models 'like Chat GPT or Copilot' for teammate productivity and customer experience first, under a 'fast follower' approach: governance, vendor pilots, low-risk internal uses, customer-facing uses later. An AI-enhanced chatbot is on the consumer roadmap. The 2025 10-K warns that generative models may give incorrect outputs, release confidential information or reflect bias. The Q1 and Q2 2026 call transcripts do not discuss AI.

### Which vendors and partners does Atlantic Union name for technology and AI?

Atlantic Union names fintech platforms rather than AI labs. The December 2025 investor-day deck lists Socure (machine-learning identity verification and fraud), Salesforce (case management), nCino and Blend (lending origination), Q2 (digital banking) and MuleSoft (integration), and states an aim to reduce reliance on one core vendor. In June 2026 it chose Spiral for savings tools, and in July 2026 Cari named it among banks joining its tokenized-deposit network. No OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Microsoft or Nvidia agreement is public, and no patents assigned to the bank were found.

## Sources (25)

1. #31 Atlantic Union's CIO automated his way through a $14 billion merger — American Banker, Jun 1, 2026. https://www.americanbanker.com/news/atlantic-union-banks-cio-is-31-on-the-most-innovative-people-in-finance-ranking
2. Atlantic Union plans more branches to speed Carolinas growth — American Banker, Oct 23, 2025. https://www.americanbanker.com/news/atlantic-union-plans-more-branches-to-speed-carolinas-growth
3. Atlantic Union's growth-minded CEO looks south to Carolinas — American Banker, May 13, 2025. https://www.americanbanker.com/news/atlantic-unions-growth-minded-ceo-looks-south-to-carolinas
4. The Most Powerful Women to Watch, No. 24, Maria Tedesco, Atlantic Union Bank — American Banker, Sep 24, 2025. https://www.americanbanker.com/news/2025-the-most-powerful-women-to-watch-no-24-maria-tedesco-atlantic-union-bank
5. What's a banker to say when charge-offs are microscopic? — American Banker, May 21, 2026. https://americanbanker.com/news/whats-a-banker-to-say-when-charge-offs-are-microscopic
6. Shawn O'Brien, EVP, Consumer and Business Banking, Atlantic Union Bank (speaker profile) — American Banker, Jun 8, 2026. https://small-business-banking.americanbanker.com/profile/shawn-obrien
7. Atlantic Union Bankshares 2025 Annual Report to Shareholders (Form ARS, including the Form 10-K) — Atlantic Union Bankshares, Mar 25, 2026. https://investors.atlanticunionbank.com/sec-filings/all-sec-filings/content/0001104659-26-034181/aub-20251231xars.pdf
8. Atlantic Union Bank Completes Integration of Sandy Spring Bank — Atlantic Union Bank, Oct 14, 2025. https://investors.atlanticunionbank.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/206/atlantic-union-bank-completes-integration-of-sandy-spring
9. Atlantic Union Bankshares Reports Second Quarter Financial Results — Atlantic Union Bankshares, Jul 21, 2026. https://investors.atlanticunionbank.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/222/atlantic-union-bankshares-reports-second-quarter-financial
10. Atlantic Union Bankshares Investor Day presentation, December 10, 2025 (Form 8-K, Exhibit 99.1) — Atlantic Union Bankshares (SEC filings), Dec 10, 2025. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/883948/000088394825000114/aub-20251210xex99d1.htm
11. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corporation Completes Acquisition of Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. — Atlantic Union Bankshares, Apr 1, 2025. https://investors.atlanticunionbank.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/195/atlantic-union-bankshares-corporation-completes-acquisition
12. AI Fraud: What It Is and How to Stay Protected — Atlantic Union Bank, Aug 29, 2025. https://www.atlanticunionbank.com/bank-better/august-2025/ai-fraud
13. Atlantic Union sells roughly $2B in CRE loans to Blackstone — Banking Dive, Jun 27, 2025. https://www.bankingdive.com/news/atlantic-union-sells-roughly-2-billion-cre-loans-blackstone/751889/
14. Atlantic Union Bankshares Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 — SEC (EDGAR), Feb 26, 2026. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/883948/000088394826000021/aub-20251231x10k.htm
15. Atlantic Union Bankshares Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2026 — SEC (EDGAR), May 5, 2026. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/883948/000088394826000047/aub-20260331x10q.htm
16. Atlantic Union Bankshares Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2026 — SEC (EDGAR), Aug 6, 2026. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/883948/000088394826000073/aub-20260630x10q.htm
17. Atlantic Union Bankshares Form 8-K, Item 5.02: Alexander D. Dodd appointed Chief Financial Officer — SEC (EDGAR), Feb 24, 2026. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/883948/000110465926018812/tm267065d1_8k.htm
18. Atlantic Union Bankshares Announces Planned Retirement of Robert M. Gorman, EVP and Chief Financial Officer — Atlantic Union Bankshares, May 22, 2025. https://investors.atlanticunionbank.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/199/atlantic-union-bankshares-announces-planned-retirement-of
19. Atlantic Union Bank Announces Planned Retirement of Doug Woolley — Atlantic Union Bank, Jun 3, 2026. https://investors.atlanticunionbank.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/219/atlantic-union-bank-announces-planned-retirement-of-doug
20. Atlantic Union (AUB) Q1 2026 Earnings Transcript (earnings call transcript) — The Motley Fool, Apr 21, 2026. https://www.fool.com/earnings/call-transcripts/2026/04/21/atlantic-union-aub-q1-2026-earnings-transcript/
21. Earnings call transcript: Atlantic Union Bankshares tops Q2 2026 estimates — Investing.com, Jul 21, 2026. https://www.investing.com/news/transcripts/earnings-call-transcript-atlantic-union-bankshares-tops-q2-2026-estimates-93CH-4803697
22. What Every Organization Can Learn From A Bank System Conversion (by Matt Linderman, CIO) — Forbes Technology Council, Mar 16, 2026. https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbestechcouncil/2026/03/16/what-every-organization-can-learn-from-a-bank-system-conversion/
23. Asbury 'energized' to keep fighting for banking industry — ABA Banking Journal, Oct 20, 2025. https://bankingjournal.aba.com/2025/10/asbury-energized-to-keep-fighting-for-banking-industry/
24. Atlantic Union Bank Selects Spiral to Boost Customer Savings and Community Impact Through Everyday Banking — Business Wire (via Morningstar), Jun 16, 2026. https://www.morningstar.com/news/business-wire/20260616510067/atlantic-union-bank-selects-spiral-to-boost-customer-savings-and-community-impact-through-everyday-banking
25. Cari Joins American Bankers Association's Premier Partner Network, Expands Bank-Governed Tokenized Deposit Network — Cari Network (via Business Wire, Yahoo Finance), Jul 2, 2026. https://finance.yahoo.com/technology/ai/articles/cari-joins-american-bankers-association-120000507.html

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