Committee and Floor Action Intensifies Ahead of Crossover Day – March 6
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With Crossover Day set for Friday, March 6, your GBA Advocacy team continues to closely monitor activity at the Capitol. Crossover Day marks the deadline for bills to pass their chamber of origin to remain eligible for final passage this session. This week brought significant movement in both the House and Senate, including several bills we are tracking.
The Senate Banking and Financial Institutions Committee Tuesday passed out SB 424 by Sen. Marty Harbin (R-Tyrone). The bill would amend state law to allow gold and silver as legal tender, establish a state bullion depository, authorize an electronic payment system tied to gold and silver, set regulatory guidelines, provide for privately insured deposits and restrict taxation on gold and silver transactions.
On Thursday, the House Banks & Banking Committee favorably reported:
HB 1112 by Rep. Carter Barrett (R-Cumming) which allows merchants to round cash transactions to the nearest five cents in certain situations involving pennies.
HB 1314 by Rep. Marvin Lim (D-Norcross) which requires installment lenders to disclose whether loans will be reported to credit agencies.
The Senate also passed SB 441 by Sen. Marty Harbin (R-Tyrone), which would require certain local government investment pool arrangements to receive State Depository Board approval before being established.
The Legislature reconvenes Tuesday, March 3. A full weekly recap will be published in Friday’s Legislative Update.
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GEORGIA BANK YEAR-END 2025 PERFORMANCE SUMMARY
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Earnings, Loan Growth and Margins Lead Strong Year Outperforming National Peers
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Georgia’s 133 FDIC-insured institutions reported continued growth in loans, deposits and total assets, according to the FDIC’s year-end report released this week. Loans were up 3.6%, assets rose 2.6% and deposits increased 1.1%. Net interest margin remained strong at 3.91%, well above the national average. Credit quality metrics continued to compare favorably to U.S. peers, and capital levels remain solid. Georgia’s 119 banks with less than $1 billion in total assets saw a 10.2% increase in net income for the year. At those banks, loans grew 4.5% while assets rose 2.4% and deposits increased 1%.
“Georgia banks finished 2025 with strong earnings, solid loan growth and margins that continue to outperform national peers. Community banks in particular posted impressive returns and maintained robust capital levels while continuing to serve families, small businesses and local communities across our state," said Tripp Cofield, GBA president and CEO. "Georgia’s banking performance is no coincidence. It is the result of disciplined, forward-looking bank management operating in a state led by elected officials who consistently champion pro-growth, pro-business policies. That partnership has helped make Georgia the No. 1 state for business and one of the most dynamic economies in the nation.”
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WSJ Reports Trump Administration Weighing Citizenship Data Collection for Bank Accounts
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We are closely monitoring media reports that the Trump administration may consider an executive order for U.S. banks to collect citizenship information from customers. The White House has not confirmed any action and has described the reports as speculative. Banks must verify a customer’s identity under existing law, though verifying a customer’s citizenship is not currently required. No policy change has been announced. We will continue to watch this issue closely and provide updates if more definitive information becomes available.
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Scenes from the 2026 Ops/Tech Conference
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Bank operations and technology leaders from across Georgia are in Savannah for GBA’s 2026 Operations & Technology Conference this week at The DeSoto. The multi-day event features expert-led sessions on growth and change, project management and emerging technology trends, industry and advocacy updates, fraud mitigation strategies and valuable peer networking and exhibitor engagement.
Watch for a full recap in next week’s GBA Bulletin.
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Join the Growing Crowd for the Bank Security Conference
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Bank security professionals from around the state are making plans to join the 2026 Bank Security Conference April 13-15 at The Westin Jekyll Island. This annual conference is designed by bankers on the GBA Security Committee specifically for Georgia bank security professionals. This premier in-person event will focus on strategic innovations in bank security, delivering timely education on today’s most pressing security challenges. Attendees can expect a comprehensive program covering robbery prevention, emerging technology trends, fraud mitigation strategies and ATM security, along with exclusive insights from industry experts. The conference also features a Bank Security Workshop, offering a deep dive into current physical security trends and hot topics, as well as valuable networking opportunities to connect with peers and share ideas.
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Compliance Peer Group Meeting Less Than Two Weeks Away
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There’s still time to sign up for the next GBA Compliance Peer Group Meeting on March 11 at the Methodist Home for Children & Youth in Macon. This highly interactive, banker-led session brings together compliance professionals from across Georgia for candid, peer-to-peer discussions on current compliance challenges, emerging regulatory concerns, and practical solutions being implemented in banks today. Moderated by Beth Hamilton, GBA’s Compliance Committee chair and vice president, compliance officer at First National Bank, Bainbridge, the meeting is entirely peer-driven, with participants submitting hot topics during registration to help shape the conversation. Designed for bank compliance officers, compliance personnel, and anyone with compliance responsibilities, this meeting offers practical insights, best practices and valuable networking opportunities.
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Join Virtual BSA Peer Group Meeting on April 1
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Registration is open for the next virtual GBA BSA Peer Group Meeting on April 1 from 10 a.m. noon ET via Zoom. This interactive session brings BSA/AML/CFT and OFAC professionals together to exchange ideas, share best practices and tackle timely compliance challenges shaped by participant-submitted hot topics. Led by Kristen Stogniew of Saltmarsh, the program delivers expert insight and valuable peer discussion — all in a convenient virtual format that makes it easy to stay informed without leaving your desk. Register now to connect, collaborate and strengthen your compliance program.
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| More Events and Training Opportunities Coming up
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Business Cash Flow Analysis Seminar - South - March 12, Georgia Chamber of Commerce Center for Rural Prosperity, Tifton
- Breaking into Banking 201: Analyzing Repayment Sources - March 25, Zoom Webinar
HR Professionals Institute - March 25-27, The DeSoto, Savannah
Marketing Conference & Customer Insights Workshop - March 25-27, The DeSoto, Savannah
Rural Development and Lending Conference - May 18-19, The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort, St. Simons
2026 Annual Meeting - June 7-9, The Cloister, Sea Island
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ONLINE LEARNING – GREAT FOR FUNDAMENTALS TRAINING
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The GENIUS Act & Stablecoins, Bank Accounting Basics, Intro to Model Risk Management and More
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Take a look at online training opportunities available to GBA members from OnCourse Learning and the American Bankers Association:
Self-paced courses, certificates and reference guides:
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Five ABA Facilitated Online Courses Begin in April
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Looking to build skills this spring? ABA’s facilitated online courses combine the structure of a classroom with the flexibility of an online format — featuring peer collaboration, instructor feedback and set start and end dates, without required login times. Five courses begin in April:
Each course is led by experienced industry professionals who provide context, guidance and regular feedback to keep participants engaged and on track.
View all facilitated online courses and enroll.
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PARTNERS, PRODUCTS & ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
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SUBMISSION DEADLINE IS MARCH 6
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2026 Banking Benefits and Human Resources Policies Survey Closing Soon
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The 2026 Banking Benefits and Human Resources Policies Survey, brough to you by GBA and Pearl Meyer, is closing March 6. The survey results will be published the week of May 11. The cost is $750 for banks that participate.
The survey covers PTO and leave policies, health and wellness benefits, FSAs, disability and life insurance, retirement plans, work-life and retiree benefits, payroll and organizational costs, and work-from-home practices. A dedicated Bank Executive Benefits & Perquisites section is also included; only banks that complete this section will receive those results.
If you still need a participation link or have any questions, contact Rhonda Snyder at rhonda.snyder@pearlmeyer.com.
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Ensure Your Bank’s Record Retention Program Is Exam-Ready
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GBA members can strengthen their compliance, operations and HR teams efforts with the fully digital 7th Edition of the Bank Record Retention Quick Notes, developed by compliance expert and longtime GBA instructor Carl Pry in partnership with the Massachusetts Bankers Association.
This practical reference provides quick, easy access to retention requirements across key areas including deposits, loans, HR, tax and more. It reflects current regulatory expectations from the CFPB, FinCEN, FDIC and OCC.
Updated with new record categories, regulatory changes and best-practice guidance, the 7th Edition is built for today’s compliance environment.
Order your access to the guide here. The price for GBA members is $165 for a single-user login.
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GBA STRATEGIC PARTNER DART APPRAISAL
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Dart Appraisal Offers the Best Custom Appraisal Management Solutions
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GBA-endorsed Dart Appraisal combines cutting-edge technology with top-tier service to deliver honest, fast valuations while letting you keep your bank’s preferred appraisal panel. They offer a full range of commercial and residential appraisal products, plus alternative solutions like Fannie Mae’s Value Acceptance + Property Data product. Dart is a nationwide, independently owned AMC with offices in Cobb County. With questions, please contact Lon Bollenbacher at lbollenbacher@dartappraisal.com.
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| GBA STRATEGIC PARTNER STRATEGYCORPS
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Enhance Small Business Banking with BaZingBiz
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GBA Strategic Partner StrategyCorps is pleased to offer BaZingBiz, a modern small business checking solution, to empower banks and small-to-medium-sized businesses. This comprehensive offering provides best-in-class benefits that enhance financial security, purchasing power and data protection. Key features include:
- Buyer’s Protection and Extended Warranty covers accidental damage or theft of newly purchased items up to $5,000 within 180 days.
- Cyber Liability protection provides up to $50,000 for data breach costs and $10,000 for ransomware payments, safeguarding businesses against cyber threats.
- Business ID Theft Aid offers credit monitoring, dark web surveillance, and full restoration services.
- BaZingBiz also supports financial wellness with estate planning, tax assistance, and bill negotiation services that save businesses money.
To learn more, please contact StrategyCorps’ Will Jones at Will.Jones@strategycorps.com.
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Athens - First American Bank & Trust Company
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Jessi Englert has joined the bank as vice president, commercial relationship manager.
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Chief Strategy Officer Jim LaHaise and Chief Risk Officer Bill McKendry have announced their intention to retire this year. General Auditor David Boggs will be promoted to Chief Risk Officer following a period of transition. Chief Governance Officer Michael Pierson will take on executive oversight of Ameris Bank Mortgage, Ameris Bank Equipment Finance and US Premium Finance from LaHaise. Read more.
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Atlanta/Tucker - Georgia Banking Company/Tandem Bank
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Georgia Banking Company, Inc., the parent company of Georgia Banking Company, and Tandem Bancorp, Inc., the parent company of Tandem Bank, jointly announced the signing of a definitive agreement under which Tandem Bank will merge with and into Georgia Banking Company in a stock and cash transaction. Read more.
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Atlanta - United Bankshares
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Reilly Loflin has been appointed as vice president, senior fiduciary wealth advisor for the bank’s wealth management division. Read more.
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Cleveland - Apex Banking Company of Georgia
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Jessi Lynch has joined the bank as a mortgage lender.
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Dawsonville - Pinnacle Bank
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Jennifer Haezebrouck has joined the bank’s Dawsonville LPO office as vice president and business banker.
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Dublin - Citizens Bank of Laurens County
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Mortgage Loan Executive Susan Glenn was named Community Partner of the Year by the Dublin Board of Realtors.
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| Dublin - Citizens Bank of Laurens County
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The bank’s Student Advisory Council visited the Capitol and spent time with State Rep. Matt Hatchett.
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The Pickens County Chamber of Commerce named the bank Business of the Year at its annual awards dinner Feb. 21. Retail Branch Administrator for North Georgia West Kay Lawrence was recognized as 2026 Citizen of the Year.
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Holly Williams and Stacey Fomby
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LaGrange - First Peoples Bank
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The bank officially opened its new LaGrange branch at 206 W. Haralson St. As part of this expansion, Holly Williams has joined the bank as market president for the LaGrange market and Stacey Fomby as branch manager of the LaGrange location. Read more.
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The Coleman Report has named Senior Vice President and Director of Government Guaranteed Lending Reece Sanford its 2026 SBA Main Street Lender Professional of the Year. Read more.
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Savannah Market Advisory Board Chair Kay Ford received the 2026 Legacy Leadership Award at the 5th-annual Southeast Leadership Forum.
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Baton Rouge, LA - The Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University
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Dr. Michael Highfield has been appointed president and chief academic officer, effective July 1, 2026. Read more.
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Atlanta - Citizens Trust Bank
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Vice President and Commercial Relationship Manager Shaun Vernon joined the First Impressions 2026 Business Forum presented by Fulton Schools College and Career Academy, leading sessions on team building, reliability and time management.
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| Augusta - Queensborough National Bank and Trust Co.
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Bank employees raised $25,000 for the United Way of the CSRA during its 2025 annual campaign.
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Brunswick - South Coast Bank
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The bank made a donation to New Roots Glynn, an organization that supports those affected by substance use disorder.
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The bank hosted the Inspired Minds class from West Laurens Middle School. Team members Lori Cherry and Paige Evans talked with the students about what a bank does, why having an account is important and how banking and saving can help them reach their goals.
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Milledgeville - Exchange Bank
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The bank sponsored a breakfast and welcome session for high school groups from across the county at Georgia College & State University for Women in Technology Day.
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Perry - SunMark Community Bank
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The bank is sponsoring a financial wellness program at Houston County School District WIN Academy through Planned To A.T., a nonprofit organization with a mission to serve young people and improve their futures through financial wellness education.
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| Thomasville - Thomasville National Bank
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The bank made a donation to Spark Thomasville, which supports entrepreneurs by creating pathways to education, coaching and access to capital, helping them become loan-ready and build long-term success.
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| Bank team members participated in the Lincoln County High School College & Career Fair to connect with students and share what a career in community banking looks like.
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Read All About It: Send Us Your News
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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.
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Recruit, Retain and Develop the Best Bankers with GBA's Job Bank
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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.
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