SCHOOLS SPOTLIGHT

Banking and Compliance Schools Wrap Up Another Successful Year in Athens

Last week, bankers from across Georgia gathered with family, friends and colleagues in Athens to celebrate a major professional milestone — graduating from Georgia Banking School and GBA Compliance School. The graduation ceremonies were May 1 at the University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education and Hotel, marking the close of another successful year of leadership development and industry education. Fifty-four bankers completed the rigorous three-year Georgia Banking School program this year.

2026 Graduate of Distinction, Oonagh Benson, Classic City Bank

Georgia Banking School Awards:

Congratulations to the following students who earned honors during their term:

2026 Graduate of Distinction Oonagh Benson (blue dress) with the class of 2026 honor graduates

Winning Bank Exec Team for Community A

Winning Bank Exec Team for Community B

GBA Compliance School: Building Compliance Excellence

Fifteen students completed intensive five-day resident sessions for two years in a row, with a curriculum covering foundational concepts in the first year and more advanced, management-level topics in the second. There were also three students who earned their Compliance Masters designation by completing additional coursework after previously graduating from the two-year program. See the list of Compliance School graduates and Compliance Masters recipients here.

Congratulations to the Compliance School case study winning team: Ryan Anderson, Steve H. Powell & Company; David Dowdney, Tolleson Private Bank; Robert Foley, Benchmark Community Bank; Teresa Hammonds, United Bank; and Julia Little, Exchange Bank.

Save the date for the 2027 session of both schools: April 25-30 back at the UGA Center for Continuing Education & Hotel.

Compliance School Case Study Winning Team

ADVOCACY

GBA Heading to Washington, D.C., for Annual Advocacy Trip Next Week

We are looking forward to being in Washington, D.C., next week with a group of the association’s leadership. We will be meeting with our partners at the ABA, as well as senior leaders from federal regulatory agencies including FDIC, OCC, the Fed and SBA. The group will also spend time on Capitol Hill, meeting with members of Georgia’s congressional delegation to discuss our priorities for Georgia’s banks. This annual trip is a valuable opportunity to share firsthand how legislative and regulatory proposals affect banks and the customers and communities they serve. If there are specific issues you want GBA to raise during these meetings, please let us know. Your input helps ensure we are representing the industry’s priorities effectively in Washington.

GBA thanks its sponsors, Balch & Bingham, CRS Data, EBS, Elliott Davis and Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta, for their support.

GBA Joins Call for OCC to Strengthen Stablecoin Rule

GBA joined the American Bankers Association and 51 state bankers associations in a joint comment letter urging the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to strengthen its proposed rule implementing the GENIUS Act, specifically to ensure a clear and enforceable prohibition on interest or yield tied to stablecoins.

The letter cautioned that without stronger guardrails, stablecoin issuers could sidestep the law by routing yield-like payments through exchanges and other third-party intermediaries. While the OCC’s proposal provides a foundation, regulatory gaps could allow stablecoins to function as de facto interest-bearing products, undermining Congress’ intent.

Our letter recommended targeted changes, including expanding definitions of related third parties, strengthening prohibitions on indirect payments and clarifying that yield cannot be provided in any form tied to holding or using a stablecoin. And, we stressed that a consistent, enforceable standard is critical to prevent workarounds and protect the role of banks in funding local economies.

Read the joint ABA/state bankers association comment letter.

GBA Joins Call for More Time to Comment on Treasury’s GENIUS Act Proposed Rule on State Regulatory Regimes

A coalition of state banking associations and the ABA has asked the U.S. Department of the Treasury to extend the comment deadline on its GENIUS Act Proposed Rule on State Regulatory Regimes until after the OCC finalizes its related rulemaking. The groups said in a letter submitted this week that additional time is needed to ensure states and stakeholders can provide informed feedback once the federal stablecoin framework is complete and to avoid states having to revise laws later as federal standards are finalized. During the 2026 legislative session, the General Assembly passed HB 1272 by Rep. Todd Jones (South Forsyth). That measure is still awaiting Gov. Brian Kemp's signature. Assuming HB 1272 becomes law, Georgia’s approach should be positioned well for approval, as it was designed to mirror the federal framework under the GENIUS Act, which is exactly what federal regulators are looking for when deciding whether a state regime is “substantially similar” to the federal system.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Community Bank Sentiment Remains Positive 

The latest Community Bank Sentiment Index from the Conference of State Bank Supervisors shows community bankers remain optimistic, with the first quarter 2026 index holding strong at 131 despite a slight dip from recent highs. Encouragingly, profitability and franchise value improved and stayed firmly in positive territory, underscoring the continued strength and resilience of community banks across the country. While concerns about regulation and monetary policy increased, the overall results reflect continued confidence in the industry. Get full results here.

CSBS Annual Survey of Community Banks Open Through June 30

The 2026 Conference of State Bank Supervisors Annual Survey of Community Banks is now open, giving community bankers a chance to share what they are seeing and experiencing in today’s environment. GBA encourages Georgia banks to participate so our state’s community banking industry has a strong voice in national conversations about regulation, technology, competition and emerging risks. The survey takes about 25-35 minutes to complete and remains open through June 30. Access the survey here.

ATTENTION ATTORNEYS!

Status of Important Cases for May 2026

The latest ABA Newsbytes Banking Docket is now available. Read about the status of important cases here. Each article contains a “Read more” link with access to additional details on the issues, case summaries and links to related documents.

GBA NEWS

Credit Committee Discusses Market Trends During Macon Meeting

Led by Committee Chair Brian Harris, Oconee State Bank, members of the GBA Credit Committee met Wednesday in Macon to discuss credit trends and market conditions affecting Georgia banks.

Members shared updates on credit quality, lending activity and deposit competition. While the consensus was that the economy is holding up pretty well, there is some concern that loan demand may be slowing in certain areas, as increased energy costs and persistent inflation are impacting customer finances. There’s also concern about credit unions and nonbank lenders offering more aggressive loan rates and structures in some markets. Participants also discussed pressure in certain commercial real estate segments, including self-storage and hospitality. The committee began planning for the 2026 GBA Credit Conference, set for Dec. 3-4 at The DeSoto in Savannah. We've got a good agenda shaping up, so look for details and registration information soon.

Spotlight on New GBA Associate Members

Over the next few weeks, we want to give a warm welcome to several new GBA Associate Members that we onboarded last quarter. They all offer diverse solutions for your bank and provide invaluable support to GBA programs through sponsorships, exhibits and shared expertise. Be sure to get to know these folks and thank them for supporting GBA. You can get information about any of GBA's Associate Members by using the Associate Member search function on our website. This week, we want to highlight the following:

Bankers Purchasing Group

Mr. Adolfo Fernandez, Adolfo.fernandez@ecpurchasing.com

Jacksonville, FL

www.bankerspurchasinggroup.com

Bankers Purchasing Group helps banks reduce operational expenses across products and services, including shipping, wireless services and equipment, office supplies, IT products, office equipment, travel, and other operational costs.

CCH Capital Partners

Mr. Shane Stewart, shane@cchprocurement.com

Tallahassee, FL

www.cchcapitalpartners.com

CCH Capital Partners is a private investment firm focused on acquiring non-performing and sub-performing loan portfolios from financial institutions. The firm provides liquidity solutions that enable banks to enhance balance sheet performance, reduce exposure to distressed assets, and efficiently redeploy capital.

Flagship Bank

Mr. Troy Poulin, tpoulin@flagshipbank.com

Clearwater, FL

www.flagshipbank.com

Flagship Bank is dedicated to renewing former relationships and building new ones by serving the financial needs of owner-managed businesses and the communities it supports. The bank prioritizes local, timely decision-making and focuses on fostering long-term relationships by understanding customer needs and consistently delivering service that exceeds expectations, strengthening trust and community ties.

GeorgiaLink Public Affairs

Mr. Boyd Pettit, boyd@georgialink.com

Atlanta, GA

www.georgialink.com

GeorgiaLink Public Affairs Group secures and strengthens relationships between the private sector and government. The firm draws on its unique mix of experience in politics, private industry, government, and professional associations to help steer legislation and mobilize business and political communities. GeorgiaLink creates opportunities for a diverse clientele, including Fortune 500 companies, associations, entrepreneurs, professional groups and local governments.

TRAINING & EVENTS

Registration Now Open for Annual Tri-Conferences

We’re excited to announce that registration is now open for our President/CEO, Bank Accountant, and Bank Counsel Conferences! These conferences, held concurrently, will be Oct. 4-6 at The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee. Planned by your peer bankers, attorneys and accountants, the conferences will provide exclusive insight into strategy, trends and best practices to help ensure your companies' and firms' success in the future. Be sure your bank or firm is represented. Our three host committees – the Community Bankers Committee, Bank Accountant Section, and the Bank Counsel Section Board, are meeting this spring and summer to plan their sessions, so watch for updates on what to look forward to in upcoming Bulletin issues. Click here for information on reserving a room. Remember, don’t delay in reserving your room as rooms will go quickly. 

A big thanks to these Associate Members who are supporting this year’s event through sponsorship: American Bankers Association; EBS; FHLBank Atlanta; Mauldin & Jenkins; McNair, McLemore, Middlebrooks & Co.; ServisFirst Bank; The First National Bankers Bank; Troutman Pepper Locke; and Warren Averett.

Sponsorships are still available; click here to check eligibility and for more info. Contact GBA’s Kathy Friestad with questions.

Paige Hembree

Cyber Threats Are Evolving — Is Your Bank’s ISO Ready?

The Information Security Officer 101 Seminar: The Evolving Role of this Critical Position is coming up June 23 at Middle Georgia State University, Macon. This in-depth program explores the growing responsibilities of the Information Security Officer in today’s complex regulatory and cybersecurity environment. Led by Paige Hembree, MBA, manager, compliance operations, at Navanta (formerly UFS Tech / Safe Systems), the seminar will review the FFIEC mandate for the ISO role, best practices and evolving industry standards, and practical strategies for separating ISO and IT management responsibilities.

Join the Growing Crowd!

Leadership Conference
July 13-15, The Omni Amelia Island, FL

LAST CALL!

Internal Audit Peer Group Meeting

May 14, Methodist Home for Children & Youth, Macon

More Events and Training Opportunities Coming up

ONLINE LEARNING – GREAT FOR FUNDAMENTALS TRAINING

Encouraging the Next Generation of Women Leaders, Motivate Your Team from Good to Great, Call Report Common Issues and More 

Take a look at online training opportunities available to GBA members from OnCourse Learning and the American Bankers Association.

Upcoming hot topic webinars: 

• IRA Beneficiary Workshop - May 12

• ACH Rules & Regulations: Making Sense of the Legal Framework - May 12

• Encouraging the Next Generation of Women Leaders - May 14
• TRID Workshop - 2 Part Series - May 19
• Trump Savings Account - May 19
• Basic Data Analytics Workshop - 2 Part Series - May 19 & 20
• Creating Exceptional Client Experiences - May 21

• Motivate Your Team from Good to Great - May 26

• Compliance for Commercial Lenders - May 28

• Call Report Common Exam Issues - June 4

Self-paced courses, certificates and reference guides:

• Teller Basics: Upskill for a Digital World

• Reference Guide to Regulatory Compliance

• Succession Planning for Banks

• ABA Bank Teller Certificate

• ABA-Wharton Emerging Leaders Certificate: Advanced Emerging Leadership

• ABA Residential Mortgage Lender Certificate

PARTNERS, PRODUCTS & ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

SUBMISSION DEADLINE IS MAY 22

Don’t Miss Out on 2026 GBA Compensation Survey Participation

Employees are a bank’s most valuable assets, and compensation is often its largest non-interest expense. How management teams structure pay has a direct effect on the ability to attract, retain and motivate top talent.

A high-quality, independent salary survey, like the 2026 GBA Compensation Survey, is an essential tool for staying competitive. It provides reliable market data to help benchmark compensation, identify trends and make informed pay decisions. With the market constantly evolving, access to current data is critical.

If your bank needs information for participation, please contact Rhonda Snyder at rhonda.snyder@pearlmeyer.com. She will ensure you have everything needed to get started. The submission deadline is May 22, and survey reports will be published the week of Aug. 10.

Participation guarantees access to timely, industry-specific insights and a significant discount on the survey report ($650 vs. $1,495).

You can’t seize the right opportunities without the right information, and maximum pipeline growth potential requires deep insight into your markets. The Commercial Prospecting solution from GBA Partner S&P Global helps you efficiently identify lending opportunities with extensive intelligence on commercial real estate (CRE) and commercial and industrial (C&I) loans. With detailed insight into the number and size of opportunities available, you’ll be better equipped to determine resource needs, set sales targets, and manage accountability. Analyze your commercial lending market share against your peers to see how you stack up. To learn more, contact S&P’s Ryan Chakalos at Ryan.Chakalos@spglobal.com.

AI is driving a surge in hiring across U.S. financial services, contrary to headlines predicting job cuts. In a recent article submitted by Joe McMann, co-founder of GBA Associate Member Verapath, he says firms are expanding capacity and recruiting for new roles such as Head of AI, AI engineer and governance lead. He cites LinkedIn data showing 640,000 new AI-related jobs in the U.S. from 2023 to 2025, with global totals surpassing 1.3 million by 2026. Community banks and other financial institutions are all increasing headcount, especially in client-facing and engineering positions. Regulatory changes are also fueling demand for specialized talent. The data is clear: institutions are scaling, not shrinking. For a deeper dive into these trends, read the full article here.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the banking landscape, offering banks new ways to fight fraud, boost efficiency and gain deeper customer insights. Yet, many banks face a data readiness gap. Fragmented systems, inconsistent data and legacy infrastructure make it hard to turn data into actionable insights. According to GBA Associate Member CSI, only 11% of banking leaders rate their data strategy as highly effective, highlighting the need for stronger data governance and integration. Practical steps include mapping data flows, integrating siloed systems and establishing clear data ownership. By focusing on high-impact use cases and improving data quality, banks can unlock AI’s full potential. For more details and actionable strategies, read the full article from CSI here.

NEWSMAKERS

Atlanta/Tucker - Georgia Banking Company / Tandem Bank

The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta on April 23 approved Georgia Banking Company's application to merge with Tandem Bancorp Inc. and indirectly acquire its subsidiary, Tandem Bank. The transaction was announced in February and is expected to close by the end of the second quarter.

Atlanta - Wells Fargo

The bank and its foundation awarded nearly $3 million in grants to Atlanta-area organizations to support affordable housing initiatives and small-business development. Read more here.

Sandersville - Citizens Bank of the South

Lynde Schubert has been promoted to corporate vice president, Baldwin County market president, following the recent retirement of Bill Jones, who led the Milledgeville office since its opening in 2017. Read more.

Swainsboro - The Citizens Bank of Swainsboro

Assistant Vice President of Retail Operations Dana Kirby has retired after nearly 46 years of dedicated service.

Watkinsville - Oconee State Bank

Michael Thigpen has been promoted to senior vice president, director of commercial banking, and Andy Flowers has been promoted to senior vice president, director of deposits and retail banking. Read more.

Atlanta - Georgia Department of Banking and Finance

District Director Janet Bryan retired from the department on April 30 after 30 years of service. Chris Ward has been promoted to District Director of the Southeast District. Read more.

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

Bainbridge - First Port City Bank

This week, bank team members delivered sweet treats to some of local schools in celebration of Teacher Appreciation Week.

Blairsville - River City Bank

Blairsville Market President Scott Nanney recently presented a sponsorship check to Deborah Quigley on behalf of the bank supporting the Friends of the Union County Library. This donation will help fund the library’s growing collection of audiobooks and printed periodicals.

Greensboro - BankSouth

To mark its 80th anniversary, the bank deposited $80 into the paycheck of every employee and issued a simple challenge to use it to make a difference in your community. They call it the $80 for 80 Impact Challenge. Read more. Pictured at left is bank employee Jessy Piscitelli contributing her $80 for 80 to Hope Lodge.

Hawkinsville - Planters First Bank

The bank’s Hawkinsville team took part in the annual letter-writing tradition, sharing encouragement with this year's Hawkinsville High School graduates.

Savannah - Carver State Bank

For the third year in a row, the bank served as the Title Sponsor of Savannah's Mayor's Small Business Conference where hundreds of local entrepreneurs, business leaders and advocates came together for a day of workshops, networking and discussion about what it takes to build and sustain a thriving small business in Savannah.

Read All About It: Send Us Your News

We want to share your news with your colleagues across the state. Please forward your announcements and photos to GBA's David Oliver and Katina Weiss.

Recruit, Retain and Develop the Best Bankers with GBA's Job Bank

GBA will post open positions, free of charge, for GBA members. See the open positions in Georgia here. We will also post professional summaries for bank-job seekers on our Bankers Available page. Contact Katina Weiss, 404.420.2021, with questions or needs.