Treasury Issues Guidance on Handling Pennies as Production Ends
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The U.S. Department of the Treasury has issued new guidance on how businesses, consumers and financial institutions should handle pennies following the decision to end production of the one-cent coin.
While new pennies are no longer being manufactured, the Federal Reserve will continue to recirculate the estimated 114 billion pennies already in circulation for as long as possible. Pennies will remain legal tender indefinitely, and banks may continue to accept and process penny deposits from customers and businesses.
As pennies become less common in daily use, Treasury recommends that rounding apply only to cash transactions and only after all taxes, fees and duties are calculated. Non-cash payments, including checks, debit and credit cards, gift cards and electronic payments, should continue to be processed to the exact cent. Treasury emphasized that rounding should be applied in a fair, consistent and transparent manner, noting that cash transactions will be rounded down just as often as they are rounded up.
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Fed Seeks Comment on Proposed Limited-Purpose Payment Accounts
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The Federal Reserve is seeking public input on a proposal to create a new, limited-purpose account for clearing and settling payments.
The proposed “payment accounts,” sometimes referred to as “skinny” accounts, would allow eligible institutions to access basic Fed payment services without the full features of a traditional master account. According to the Fed, the accounts would not earn interest, provide access to Fed credit and would include balance limits. The concept was introduced earlier this year by Fed Governor Christopher Waller.
The Fed is requesting feedback on whether the accounts would meet the needs of eligible institutions. Comments are due within 45 days of publication in the Federal Register.
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Now Available: 2026 Consumer Awareness Observances Calendar
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A new complimentary resource is now available to help bank communicators plan ahead for 2026. The Consumer Awareness Observances Calendar highlights key awareness campaigns, important dates and notable events throughout the year. Designed to support customer outreach and education efforts, the calendar offers an easy reference for aligning communications with timely consumer-focused topics. Download the 2026 calendar here.
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Registration Now Open for Next GBA Bank Security Conference
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Registration is officially open for the 2026 GBA Bank Security Conference, taking place April 13-15, 2026, at The Westin Jekyll Island.
Designed specifically for 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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2026 OPERATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE KEYNOTE
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Navigate, Elevate, Accelerate: Leading Growth & Change
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Dr. Melissa Furman with Career Potential will kick off the 2026 Operations and Technology Conference with a discussion around leading through growth and change. This engaging, interactive session will uncover what modern, relevant leadership looks like and provide strategies to develop essential skills to navigate growth and change. Attendees will learn to recognize operations and technology challenges and their organizational implications, explore the critical skills professionals need to stay relevant in a changing world and apply strategies to build leadership capacity for long-term success.
The conference will take place Feb. 25-27 at The DeSoto in Savannah. Click here to review all the scheduled sessions that cover how to manage growth, change and innovation. Hotel room block cutoff is Feb. 2.
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A huge thank you to our sponsors:
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Gold Sponsor: Advantage, powered by JMFA
- Silver Sponsor: ICI Consulting.
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Resolve to Take the Next Step in Your Career in 2026
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For decades, the Georgia Banking School has helped develop generations of the state’s most influential bank leaders. This three-year program delivers exactly what today’s institutions need: a solid pipeline of prepared future leaders, deeper management-level expertise within your bank, and meaningful connections with top industry professionals and peers from across Georgia.
Under the leadership of Peter Faser of The Profitability Coach, the Georgia Banking School Board has been carefully reviewing and enhancing the curriculum to ensure next year’s session provides an exceptional learning experience. Now is the perfect time to secure your spot.
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| More Events and Training Opportunities Coming up
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The BSA Summit - Jan. 12-15, Lanier Islands Resort, Buford
- Legislative and Economic Forum & Reception - Jan. 28, The Ritz Carlton, Downtown Atlanta
Call Report Seminar - Feb. 3, Middle Georgia State University, Macon
IRA Academy - Feb. 3-5, Middle Georgia State University, Macon
Business Cash Flow Analysis Seminar - Feb. 24, Cherokee Conference Center at The Bluffs, Canton
- Breaking into Banking 101: Fundamentals of Commercial Lending - Feb. 25, Zoom Webinar
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
GBA Compliance School - April 26 - May 1, University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education & Hotel, Athens
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ONLINE LEARNING – GREAT FOR FUNDAMENTALS TRAINING
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Using AI as Your Writing Assistant, Teller Basics, ACH Basics 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:
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35th Reference Guide to Regulatory Compliance Now Available
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The Reference Guide to Regulatory Compliance is the industry resource for compliance professionals and those preparing to take the Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager (CRCM) exam. It’s also a useful resource for compliance managers, department staff, product managers and retail branch banking managers. The guide is updated annually, giving you timely and relevant updates at your fingertips. Updates to the 35th Edition include:
- Advisories on Predatory Lending
- Bank Secrecy Act/Anti-Money Laundering and OFAC
- Community Reinvestment Act
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Regulation CC - Expedited Funds Availability Act
- Regulation B - Equal Credit Opportunity Act
- Fair Credit Reporting Act
- And many more!
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Angie Krohn has been promoted to human resources manager, first vice president.
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Bremen - American Commerce Bank
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IT Specialist and Assistant Chief Risk Officer Tori Adams was recognized by the Times-Georgian as one of West Georgia’s 20 under 40 for 2025. Read more.
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Laurens County - SunMark Community Bank
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Brian Bowles has joined the bank as Laurens County Market President. Read more.
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Sarah Greer has re-joined the bank’s loan operations team as a loan operations assistant.
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Tifton - South Georgia Banking Company
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Executive Vice President Melinda Moore is retiring after a 47-year career. Read more.
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Tampa and Pensacola, FL - Saltmarsh
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Michael McLaughlin, MBA, has joined the accounting and advisory firm as Head of People overseeing the firm’s HR function and people strategy. Read more.
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Atlanta - United Community Bank
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Members of the bank’s Atlanta team recently visited the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge to share lunch, make holiday crafts and spend time with patients and their families.
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Hawkinsville - Planters First Bank
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Members of the Hawkinsville High School SkillsUSA class recently visited the bank’s Hawkinsville Banking Center. Students learned about teller, loan and deposit services as well as important life skills like financial responsibility, building credit, saving wisely and planning for higher education.
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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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