THIS MONTH

We look forward to hosting our members at this month's GBA events!

ADVOCACY PROGRAMS

Legislative and Economic Forum & Reception - Jan. 27, 2027, The Ritz Carlton, Downtown Atlanta

We’re excited to announce that GBA crowd favorite Chris Low, Chief Economist for FHN Financial, will be a featured speaker at our 2027 Legislative and Economic Forum.

Low has more than 30 years of experience tracking U.S. and global economies, financial markets, central banks and fiscal policy, as well as six years’ experience as a money manager, giving him a unique ability to distill economic events into information useful to investors and bankers alike. 

Chris Low

With his unique blend of economic expertise and political insight, Low will help make sense of the post-midterm election landscape and its potential implications for economic policy, interest rates, financial markets and the banking industry.

The Forum will be followed by our annual Legislative Reception, honoring members of the General Assembly, Constitutional Officers, statewide Judiciary, and other dignitaries.

Thank you to our sponsors!

ASSET/LIABILITY MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS

Stablecoins & Tokenized Deposits: What Banks Need to Know - Nov. 3 and Nov. 17 Webinars

Stablecoins and tokenized deposits are quickly becoming part of the financial services conversation. But what are they, how are they being used, and what could they mean for community banks? Two upcoming GBA webinars hosted by attorneys from Alston & Bird will answer these questions and more.

Nov. 3 – Stablecoins and Tokenized Deposits Fundamentals

Get up to speed on the basics of stablecoins, tokenized deposits and the evolving digital asset landscape. This 90-minute webinar will cover current uses, the regulatory environment, compliance considerations and what banks should be watching over the next 12–24 months. No prior knowledge is required.

Nov. 17 – Getting Started with Stablecoins and Tokenized Deposits (and Why)

Take the conversation from theory to practical application. This 90-minute moderated panel will explore real-world use cases for community banks, potential partnership models, compliance and risk considerations, vendor diligence, customer demand and practical steps banks can take as they evaluate this emerging area.

Whether you're just getting familiar with the terminology or starting to consider what these developments could mean for your bank, these webinars will provide timely insight into an area that is evolving quickly.

Last Call! Financial Risk Management Conference - Nov. 5-6, Courtyard by Marriott Atlanta Decatur Downtown/Emory

There's still time to join Georgia's top multi-day conference for bank CFOs and finance teams. Agenda highlights include:

Thank you to our sponsors!

COMPLIANCE PROGRAMS

BSA Peer Group - Nov. 4, Virtual Meeting

Led by Kristen Stogniew, shareholder and leader of Saltmarsh’s Financial Institution Consulting practice, this interactive session will explore industry hot topics and best practices to strengthen your bank’s BSA/AML/CFT and OFAC programs. Exchange ideas, share best practices, and tackle the challenges that matter most, all from the convenience of your desk.

You can help shape the conversation. Submit your hot topics during registration and bring your questions and experiences to the discussion.

Kristen Stogniew

The BSA Summit - Jan. 11-14, 2027, Atlanta Evergreen Lakeside Resort

If you enjoy the opportunity to connect with your BSA peers through GBA’s BSA peer group meetings, be sure to join us for a deeper dive at the 2027 BSA Summit.

Now in its fifth year, the BSA Summit is designed to give BSA officers, analysts, auditors, and support staff the knowledge, tools and confidence to strengthen their BSA/AML/CFT and OFAC programs. During this multi-day summit, expect practical guidance, timely regulatory updates, real-world strategies and plenty of opportunities to connect with fellow BSA professionals, all led by experienced industry experts from Saltmarsh.

GBA Compliance School - April 25-30, 2027, UGA Center for Continuing Education & Hotel, Athens

The GBA Compliance School Board has been hard at work planning the 2027 Compliance School. This premier two-year program equips new and experienced banking professionals with the tools they need to build, oversee and maintain a strong compliance management program—all while sharpening leadership and team-building skills.

Program Options Available in 2027:

Both Year 1 and Year 2 include housing in the registration fee. Students in all tracks will also benefit from peer networking, leadership development and the opportunity to form lasting professional connections that strengthen their compliance management programs.

FUNDAMENTALS PROGRAMS

Banking Foundations - Virtual Training

If you have team members who are new to banking or just entering the workforce, we have a host of good online training resources to help get them up to speed. There are more than 100 Banking Foundations courses and nine certificate programs available for: 

• Tellers
• Branch Managers
• Universal Bankers and Customer Service Representatives
• Small Business Bankers
• Early Career Lenders and many others. 

Check out the full Banking Foundations catalog here, which includes information about signing up. These ABA resources are available for all GBA members.

LENDING PROGRAMS

Credit Conference - Dec. 3-4, The DeSoto, Savannah

Credit and lending professionals, join us in Savannah for GBA's 2026 Credit Conference. The GBA Credit Committee has planned a timely program focused on the trends, challenges and opportunities shaping lending decisions at Georgia banks. From AI risk and reward, commercial real estate and regulatory developments to legal and economic updates, the agenda offers practical insights to take back to your bank. You'll also have opportunities to exchange ideas with fellow bankers during interactive discussions and networking.

The DeSoto

Be sure to reserve your accommodations at The DeSoto in Savannah by Sunday, Nov. 8, to take advantage of the special group rates.

Thank you to our sponsors!

MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS

Georgia Banking School - April 25-30, 2027, UGA Center for Continuing Education & Hotel, Athens

Secure your seat in the next session of the Georgia Banking School. For more than 65 years, the school has developed generations of Georgia bank leaders who shape the industry in our state. It offers everything you want and expect from an investment in banker education, specifically preparing the next generation of bank leaders, building the pool of management-level talent in your bank and connecting students to the most knowledgeable industry experts and a community of fellow bankers.

The Georgia Banking School Board, led by Peter Faser of The Profitability Coach, has been hard at work reviewing the curriculum and planning next year’s session.

MARKETING PROGRAMS

Marketing Peer Group Meeting - Nov. 13, Idle Hour Golf & Country Club, Macon

When fraud threats emerge or unexpected service disruptions occur, getting timely information to customers is critical. But how do banks cut through the digital noise and reach customers who may not use online channels? Lori Tucker, chief experience officer at United Bank, will tackle these challenges in her session, “Customer Communications: When the Message is Urgent or Challenging.”

Lori Tucker

Tucker will share real-world experiences, lessons learned and how United Bank uses multiple communication channels to reach customers, build awareness and encourage action when it matters most.

The meeting will also feature candid peer discussions facilitated by Beth James, vice president and marketing director at Queensborough National Bank & Trust Company. Attendees can submit hot topics during registration to help shape the conversation and exchange practical ideas with fellow bank marketers.

OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS

Banking AI Accelerator - Virtual Cohorts Begin Nov. 3 and Jan. 12

AI is reshaping banking. The Banking AI Accelerator helps bankers move beyond AI awareness to practical, responsible application. Designed specifically for financial institutions, this 8-week, hands-on virtual program combines live instruction, guided online learning, weekly office hours and banking-focused applications. Participants learn to use AI as a productivity and problem-solving partner, from improving communications and synthesizing complex information to analyzing data and streamlining everyday workflows. The program culminates in a Custom Prompt Library, personalized evaluation and certification. Upcoming cohorts begin Nov. 3 and Jan. 12, with additional 2027 sessions available. GBA member registration is $1,500. Ready to put AI to work at your bank?

RETAIL PROGRAMS

IRA Academy - Feb. 17-19, 2027, Middle Georgia State University, Macon

Build your knowledge and confidence in individual retirement accounts at GBA’s IRA Academy. This comprehensive program explores the latest legislative and regulatory updates, contribution and distribution rules, beneficiary options, required minimum distributions, Roth conversions, tax implications, reporting requirements and more. Attendees will also dive into SEP and SIMPLE IRAs, self-directed IRAs, fiduciary responsibilities and Health Savings Accounts. Ready to strengthen your IRA expertise?

WEBINARS & MORE

Webinars from National Experts

Save 10-30% with a subscription package - details here!

Hot-topic webinars for November:

• Community Bank Internal Controls: The Ticket to Compliance - 2 Part Series -
  Nov. 4 & 18

• BSA Critical Issues and Updates - Nov. 10

• Stablecoin Risk & Compliance: Frameworks - Nov. 12

• Loan Structuring Workshop 4-Part Series - Nov. 16, 17, 23, 24

• Most Common TRID Issues - Nov. 17

See the full calendar of upcoming and OnDemand webinars here. 

Facilitated Online Courses

Virtual learning with an instructor and peer interaction, weekly assignments and deadlines. Categories including Retail, Compliance, Executive Management and more. Learn more about instructor-facilitated online courses here. (click "member" status) 

Self-Paced Online Courses

More than 200 courses in all the key banking skills. See a list of all the self-paced courses we have to offer here. (click "member" status)

ABA Certificates

Certificates build the skills necessary for a specific position in the bank and can be taken entirely online as a certificate curriculum. The programs are continually reevaluated and refined to reflect the current needs of bankers in their jobs today and changes in the industry. There are multiple certificates available in each of the categories below.

• Business Banking & Commercial Lending
• Compliance & Risk Management
• Mortgage Lending
• Retail Banking & Marketing
• Wealth Management & Trust
• Executive Education.

See all available certificates here. (click "member" status)

Calendar of Training and Events by subject/topic:

Compliance | Lending | Ops/Tech | Human Resources | Asset/Liability Management | Security