CLARITY Act’s Future Uncertain After Tuesday Senate Vote
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The future of the CLARITY Act remains uncertain after the U.S. Senate voted 50-49 against ending debate on the digital-assets legislation, falling short of the 60 votes needed to proceed. It’s important to note the procedural vote did not defeat the bill, and Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) preserved the option for reconsideration by changing his vote to no and filing the required motion. Three other Republican Senators joined Democrats in voting against cloture. For banks, the key unresolved issue remains stablecoin yield. On Monday, GBA contacted Georgia’s two Senate offices to oppose the revised bill and its newly proposed “circuit breaker” language. That proposal would allow the Treasury secretary to evaluate deposit flight 18 months after enactment, and if substantial harm is found, require tighter rules. GBA stressed that this would offer banks no protection and would apply only after deposits have left banks and damage has occurred. Treasury intervention also would not ensure those deposits return. GBA continues to urge lawmakers to strengthen the yield prohibition before enactment, addressing the risk of deposit flight before it harms banks, their customers and the communities they serve.
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Senate Ag Committee Advances Farm Bill with Lending Provisions
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The Senate Agriculture Committee voted 12-11 Wednesday to advance the 2026 Farm Bill, which includes several provisions that would expand access to agricultural credit.
Of particular interest to Georgia’s agricultural lenders, the bill would increase Farm Service Agency guaranteed farm ownership loan limits to $3.5 million and guaranteed operating loan limits to $3 million. Direct farm ownership limits would rise to $850,000 and direct operating limits to $750,000.
The bill also includes provisions to improve credit options for beginning farmers and precision agriculture investments. In addition, provisions that would have changed Farm Credit System regulation and examination cycles were removed from the Senate version. The bill now advances to the full Senate for consideration.
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Blair Named to House Financial Services Committee
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U.S. Rep. Everton Blair (D-13) this week was named to the House Financial Services Committee, for what will be a brief time on the panel overseeing banking policy, housing, insurance, capital markets and federal financial regulators. Blair represents Georgia’s 13th District and succeeded committee member David Scott after a special election runoff Aug. 25.
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House leaders recessed the chamber this week, and members are not expected to return until after the Nov. 3 midterm election. Congress will then enter a lame-duck session with limited legislative time before Congress expires and Blair’s term ends on Jan. 3, 2027.
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Update on Georgia BankPAC Campaign
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The 2026 BankPAC campaign continues to make great progress. Contribution forms along with all BankPAC information may be accessed on the advocacy page of our website with easy-to-follow options for making these contributions.
Contributing to the GBA StatePAC recently are:
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- Bank of Dudley, Dublin, Sam Beall, president & CEO
- Exchange Bank, Milledgeville, John Childs, president & CEO
- First American Bank & Trust Company, Athens, Rhodes McLanahan, CEO
- First Bank of Pike, Zebulon, John Barker, president & CEO
- Georgia Community Bank, Dawson, Lucie Beeley, chairman & CEO
- Planters First Bank, Cordele, Eli Tinsley, president & CEO
- The Citizens Bank of Georgia, Cumming, Tim Perry, president & CEO
- The Citizens Bank of Swainsboro, Zac Frye, president & CEO
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This week, contributions to the GBA FedPAC have come from eligible employees, officers and directors of:
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Citizens Community Bank, Hahira, Jeff Hanson, president & CEO
- First National Bank of Griffin, Chuck Copeland, president & CEO
- Great Oaks Bank, Richmond Hill, Brad Brookshire, CEO.
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Long-Running South Georgia Community Bank Symposium Brought Bankers Together at VSU
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GBA’s long-running South Georgia Community Bank Symposium brought bankers together in Valdosta Thursday for timely industry, regulatory and economic updates. Hosted in conjunction with the Harley Langdale Jr. College of Business Administration at Valdosta State University, the annual event continued GBA’s longstanding partnership with VSU and its commitment to providing a convenient, high-value program for bankers across South Georgia.
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- Georgia Agribusiness Update – Jody Redding, director at the Office of Gov. Brian Kemp, discussed Georgia’s agribusiness economy, federal farm policy and the challenges and strengths shaping the state’s No. 1 industry.
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Credit Quality Overview and Outlook – Stewart Thigpen of Steve H. Powell & Co. covered asset quality and credit trends affecting South Georgia banks, regulatory developments and key credit issues to watch.
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GBA Advocacy and Regulatory Update – GBA’s Tripp Cofield and Georgia Department of Banking and Finance Deputy Commissioner for Supervision Kevin Vaughn shared advocacy, regulatory and industry updates during the lunch session.
- Economic Outlook – Dr. Elvan Aktas, professor of finance at Valdosta State University, provided an economic outlook to round out the afternoon program.
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The symposium also featured welcome remarks and an update on the Langdale College of Business from Dean Dr. Guclu Atinc and VSU President Dr. Don Green, as well as opportunities for bankers to network with colleagues from across the region.
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Operations Technology Committee Talks AI, Fraud and Conference Priorities
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GBA’s Operations Technology Committee met Tuesday in Macon to discuss technology and operational issues affecting Georgia banks and begin shaping the 2027 Operations & Technology Conference. Committee Vice Chair Marshall Bunce, The Peoples Bank of Georgia, Talbotton, led the meeting. The committee also welcomed new members Brad Hinson, Georgia Community Bank, and Jim Rumph, Hark Advisors.
Artificial intelligence was a recurring theme, including details about how banks are using various AI tools to be more efficient, speed the loan review and approval process, identify cost savings and conduct complex financial analysis. They also talked about the need for appropriate-use training, governance and regulatory considerations. Cybersecurity and fraud prevention remain critical. Of note were increased business email compromise fraud, wire and ACH fraud and the need to strengthen user authentication. The conversation also covered core and system conversions, on-premises vs. cloud server strategies, IT staffing and infrastructure and ways GBA can help banks navigate emerging technology issues through education and training.
Members discussed potential topics for the March 3-5, 2027, Operations & Technology Conference at The DeSoto Savannah, as well. Look for details on the agenda and registration to open soon. With questions, contact Alison Moreau.
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GBA Marks 134 Years of Service to Georgia Banking
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On Sept. 14, 1892, representatives from 59 banks gathered at the Hotel Lanier in Macon to establish what would become the Georgia Bankers Association.
The bankers adopted the association’s first constitution and elected Mills B. Lane Sr., then vice president of Citizens’ Bank of Savannah, as GBA’s first chairman. After the meeting, GBA’s first secretary, L.P. Hilyer, encouraged banks across the state to become members, writing, “In union there is strength.”
Now, 134 years later, GBA remains guided by its original purpose: promoting the welfare and usefulness of banking and helping preserve a sound banking system. That work continues through advocacy, education, professional development and services designed to help Georgia’s banks succeed.
On this anniversary, we thank the generations of bankers who have shaped GBA and the members we have the privilege of serving today. We are proud to remain united in service to Georgia’s banks.
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Employee Benefit Trends to Watch in 2026
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In a recent blog, Moore Colson, the auditor of the GBA Retirement Services (GBARS) Master 401(k) Plan, reviewed five trends that 401(k) Plan sponsors should look for as we are approaching the end of the year. Read the full article here. Below is a summary of the five trends:
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- Due to SECURE 2.0 Act, effective in 2026, high earners in your plan who earned more than $150,000 in income with your company in 2025, must make any age 50 and older catch-up contributions on a Roth basis, rather than a Pre-Tax basis. The income amount is leveled each year with inflation.
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Plan sponsors must sign SECURE 2.0 Amendments no later than Dec. 31, 2026. For those plans in the GBARS Master Trust, no action is needed. The GBA Master Plan amendment for SECURE 1.0 and 2.0 will cover all plans in the Trust.
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Fiduciary responsibilities are a major concern for plan sponsors. Fiduciaries must act prudently and solely in participants’ best interests. These duties include monitoring and documentation, fee reasonableness, cybersecurity oversight, vendor selection and monitoring, and participant data protection. Members of the GBARS Master Trust have added fiduciary oversight with GBARS as the Master Plan Sponsor responsible for vendor selection and monitoring, cybersecurity oversight and ensuring fee reasonableness. In addition, American Trust serves as a Discretionary Trustee for all the plans in the GBARS Master Trust, taking on the role of investment selection and monitoring.
- Consider participant behaviors when setting up your plan design and selecting a provider. With GBARS, the primary focus is on retirement readiness and offering the tools participants need to be engaged in their retirement planning. Design features, such as managed accounts, automatic enrollment and escalation, and financial wellness, all contribute to participant success.
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Technology is transforming retirement plan administration and will continue to advance in the future. Automation and efficient reporting can help plan sponsors streamline their processes. Since the merger with American Trust and Ascensus, we expect even further technology advances in the coming year for GBARS clients.
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As retirement plans continue to change with new legislation, participant demographics, and technology advances, GBA Retirement Services and American Trust partner to provide a comprehensive solution to ease our members’ administrative and oversight duties for their own plans.
If your plan is not currently with GBA Retirement Services, please reach out for a complimentary plan review and fee comparison of services for 2027. If you have any questions, please contact Mandy Richards at 678.549.4167.
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Six-Year Sentence in $6.5 Million Stolen Check Scheme
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A Stone Mountain man has been sentenced to six years in federal prison for a bank fraud scheme involving thousands of checks stolen from the mail with a combined face value of more than $6.5 million. Shamarri Tache Brooks pleaded guilty in May to bank fraud and aggravated identity theft.
Federal prosecutors said Brooks recruited individuals through social media to use their bank accounts to deposit altered stolen checks. He also sold fraud tutorials and images of stolen checks online. Authorities said Brooks deposited altered checks at ATMs throughout the Atlanta area.
Law enforcement recovered many of the stolen checks from Brooks’ home, and prosecutors said there is no evidence he successfully negotiated the remainder, resulting in no known losses from the checks. The case was investigated by the FBI, FDIC Office of Inspector General, U.S. Secret Service and U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General.
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Sign Up for ABA’s October Fraud Awareness Campaigns
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ABA’s #BanksNeverAskThat and #PracticeSafeChecks consumer education campaigns launch Oct. 1, and there’s still time for GBA member banks to sign up and participate. Registration is free for all banks, regardless of ABA membership status.
This year’s #BanksNeverAskThat campaign helps consumers recognize common scam warning signs while highlighting the important role frontline bankers play in preventing fraud. #PracticeSafeChecks focuses on check fraud and check washing, with practical tips banks can share with consumers and businesses. Both campaigns provide ready-to-use resources to help banks educate their customers and communities.
Both campaigns begin Oct. 1 in conjunction with Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Visit ABA’s Fight Fraud page to learn more and register.
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Secure Your Seat Now for the 2027 Georgia Banking School
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Online enrollment is now open for the next session of the Georgia Banking School, set for April 25-30, 2027, on the UGA campus in Athens.
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.
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Last Call! Join GBA's Ops/Tech Peer Group
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Tuesday, Sept. 22, Georgia’s bank operations and IT professionals will come together in Athens for a day to discuss latest challenges. Four topics will be covered:
- Loan and/or Deposit Operational Pain Points and Best Practices
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Technology Pain Points and Best Practices
- Management Concerns (staffing, training, succession, strategic, budgeting, etc.)
- Industry Innovation (Tech, Products, Services, Third Parties, etc.)
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The meeting will be led by Jim Stewart, EVP, Chief Technology Officer at Vallant Bank and GBA committee member.
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A big thank you to our sponsors:
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Last Chance to Join Bank Performance Fundamentals Class in 2026
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Join peers from more than 30 state bankers associations around the country in a unique Understanding Bank Performance program, a virtual five-session course designed to enhance your ability to interpret bank financials and key performance metrics. GBA partners with the Washington Bankers Association to make the program available to our members, and the final session of the year begins Oct. 1.
Who Should Attend? This program is perfect for new bankers looking to build a solid foundation, as well as experienced bankers seeking to deepen their financial analysis skills.
Flexible & Convenient: Attend virtually, with sessions running Thursdays and Fridays in October.
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BSA Peer Group Nov. 4: All the Insight, None
of the Travel
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This interactive session for BSA/AML/CFT and OFAC professionals gives you the opportunity to 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.
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Reminder: It's Time to Enroll for the 2027
BSA Summit
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Conquer compliance at the 2027 BSA Summit. If you enjoyed the opportunity to connect with your BSA peers through GBA’s BSA peer group meetings, mark your calendar for the 2027 BSA Summit, Jan. 11-14 at Atlanta Evergreen Lakeside Resort in Stone Mountain.
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.
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More Upcoming Events and Training Opportunities
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- President/CEO, Bank Accountant & Bank Counsel Conferences - Oct. 4-6, The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee
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Personal Cash Flow Analysis Seminar - Oct. 7, Middle Georgia State University, Macon
- Loan Structuring and Documentation for Loss Prevention Seminar - Oct. 8, Middle Georgia State University, Macon
- New Account Documentation & Compliance Bootcamp - Oct. 14-15, Middle Georgia State University - Macon Campus
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Compliance Conference - Oct. 21-23, Sea Palms Resort, St. Simons Island
- Stablecoins and Tokenized Deposits Fundamentals - Nov. 3, GBA Webinar
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Financial Risk Management Conference - Nov. 5-6, Courtyard by Marriott Atlanta Decatur Downtown/Emory
- Marketing Peer Group Meeting - Nov. 13, Idle Hour Golf & Country Club, Macon
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Credit Conference - Dec. 3-4, The DeSoto, Savannah
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ONLINE LEARNING – GREAT FOR FUNDAMENTALS TRAINING
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Top 10 Audit Recommendations, AI for Compliance Officers, Avoiding Check Fraud 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.
Upcoming hot topic webinars:
Self-paced courses, certificates and reference guides:
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PARTNERS, PRODUCTS & ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
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Check Out These Upcoming Webinars from GBA Strategic Partner NContracts
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Sept. 24 at 2 p.m. - Reporting Built for the Board: What Good Governance Looks Like
Board materials often default to volume—more data, more detail, more pages. Boards don't need more information; they need the right information, framed so directors can engage and provide real oversight instead of just signing off. For anyone who reports to a board, and for the directors who rely on that reporting. Click here to register.
Sept. 29 at 2 p.m. - The Compliance Officer's Budget Playbook: How to Win the Fight Ahead
Deregulation, hiring freezes and "do more with less" have left compliance leaders in a tough spot: everyone assumes there's slack in the program, and nobody agrees where. This session gives you a working method for sorting every control and monitoring cadence into what to protect, right-size, streamline, or eliminate—so you can defend every dollar and every headcount. Click here to register.
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Abrigo Launches New CECL Automation Solution, Live Demo Oct. 6 at 1 p.m.
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GBA and Strategic Partner Abrigo are excited to share the launch of Abrigo Allowance with Intelligent Automation, an add-on to Abrigo’s CECL platform designed to reduce manual work during month-end and quarter-end reporting. The solution automates calculations, forecast updates, pool processing, qualitative-factor scorecards and reports. It also notifies team members when processing is complete and uses AI-generated comparisons to identify drivers of changes between calculations. Workflow tools incorporate tasks, reviews, approvals, controls and reminders. Bankers can see the solution in action during Abrigo’s Upgrade Your CECL Process webinar Oct. 6 at 1 p.m., covering automation opportunities, oversight checkpoints and AI-supported narratives. Learn more here.
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Strengthen Your BOLI Strategy with GBA Strategic Partner EBS
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EBS specializes in the placement of Bank Owned Life Insurance (BOLI) programs. These programs utilize BOLI to finance existing employee benefits, as well as to informally fund new or existing executive non-qualified benefit plans. EBS delivers comprehensive implementation services and related consultation required to support a BOLI program.
Why GBA Members Choose EBS:
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Top-Rated Carriers: Through EBS Partners, member banks gain access to the industry's highest-rated life insurance providers.
- Credentialed Experts: Work with an experienced team with professional credentials including MBA, CPA, CFP, CLU, and ChFC.
- Exclusive GBA Benefits: Receive a complimentary BOLI Assessment and Carrier Due Diligence Report to evaluate your current program.
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Is It Worth Bringing Merchant Services In-House at Your Bank?
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Banks evaluating merchant-services models should look beyond gross revenue potential and weigh ownership costs. An Agent/ISO structure can offer greater control and attractive economics, but it also requires specialized sales expertise, pricing knowledge, onboarding processes, compliance capabilities, merchant support, and portfolio management. Without those resources, a bank may struggle to capture opportunities and expose commercial relationships to service and reputational risk. A referral model shifts much of the operational burden to the payments provider while allowing the bank to remain the relationship owner. The best comparison is not revenue share versus direct program income. Banks should assess net value, including staffing, training, technology, oversight, opportunity cost and customer experience, then choose the structure that aligns with their capabilities and strategic priorities. Learn more in this article from GBA Associate Member Payroc.
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Christy Wood has joined the bank team as a mortgage loan originator.
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Milledgeville - Century Bank & Trust
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Tripp Becker has joined the bank as a vice president and lending officer serving the Milledgeville market.
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Bainbridge - First National Bank
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The bank is supporting the Memorial Hospital and Manor Foundation Gala as a Gold Sponsor. The Oct. 29 event supports the foundation and its work serving families throughout the region.
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Claxton - The Claxton Bank
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The bank supported Claxton High School’s first Evans County Schools Employees’ Tailgate, providing treats for school staff and handing out spirit items during the Tigers’ football game.
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Vidalia - Vidalia Federal Savings Bank
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The bank is taking part in the Altama Museum of Art & History Lip Sync Battle to raise support for Keep It Clean Vidalia. The bank’s team is bringing a “Sister Act” theme to the competition to support the local beautification initiative.
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Warner Robins - SunMark Community Bank
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The bank is participating in the Adopt-A-Box initiative with Keep Warner Robins Beautiful and the City of Warner Robins. The program supports community beautification and encourages residents and businesses to take pride in keeping the city clean.
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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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