We look forward to hosting our members at this month's GBA events!
|
|
|
ASSET/LIABILITY MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS
|
|
|
Financial Risk Management Conference - Nov. 6-7,
The DeSoto, Savannah (NEW LOCATION)
|
Join the growing group of bank CFOs and finance team members set to attend the next GBA Financial Risk Management Conference. Planned by the GBA Asset/Liability Management Committee, the conference sessions will include:
- Economic Update – Ryan Hayhurst, The Baker Group
- Public funds strategies – Patrick Rutledge, FHLBank Atlanta; Dave Still, IntraFi; David Oliver, GBA
- Liquidity, exam and audit panels
-
AI session – Tod McKenna, Citi Services
- And more!
|
A huge thank you to our sponsors!
- Platinum Sponsor: Profit Resources, Inc.
- Gold Sponsor: Ncontracts
- Silver Sponsors: BOK Financial; Carr, Riggs & Ingram; FHLBank Atlanta; FHN Financial; ServisFirst Bank; and Wiplfi.
|
|
|
Rhonda Norris and David Attaway
|
Internal Audit Peer Group Meeting - Nov. 18, Idle Hour Golf & Country Club, Macon
|
Sign up now for GBA’s next Internal Audit Peer Group Meeting, our forum designed exclusively for internal auditors. The upcoming program will include educational session led by Rhonda Norris of Symphona, followed by an intensive roundtable discussion facilitated by David Attaway of Symphona. Attendees will have the opportunity to submit topics during registration, which will generate discussion among their peers, as well as topics provided by our facilitator.
|
|
|
Compliance Conference - Oct. 20-22, The Westin Jekyll Island
|
We’re excited to announce that the 2025 GBA Compliance Conference has been approved for continuing education credits by the American Bankers Association (ABA) Professional Certifications program. Attendees can earn:
- 13 CRCM credits
- 7 CERP credits
- 2.5 CAFP credits.
Learn more here. This premier multi-day event delivers a comprehensive agenda of compliance topics, led by nationally known experts, and offers unmatched networking opportunities in a scenic, relaxed coastal setting.
|
A huge thank you to our sponsors!
-
Platinum Sponsor: Centrant Community Capital, Steve H. Powell & Company
- Silver Sponsor: Carr, Riggs & Ingram; Compliance Alliance; Mauldin & Jenkins; and Troutman Pepper Locke
|
|
|
BSA Peer Group Meeting - Nov. 4, Virtual
|
Sign up today to attend GBA’s next virtual BSA Peer Group Meeting. Join your peers online for an interactive discussion of hot topics in BSA/AML/CFT and OFAC compliance, led by Kristen Stogniew, GBA’s BSA Summit facilitator. This convenient, no-travel program gives you the chance to exchange ideas, submit discussion topics and strengthen your compliance program with insights from experts and peers alike.
|
|
|
The BSA Summit - Jan. 12-15, Lanier Islands Resort, Buford
|
Are you ready to elevate your BSA/AML/CFT and OFAC compliance programs? Registration is officially open for the third-annual BSA Summit, Jan. 12-15, 2026, at the beautiful Lanier Islands Resort. Just as climbing a mountain requires the right gear, navigating today’s compliance landscape demands knowledge, preparation and strategy. With regulatory scrutiny intensifying and fraud on the rise, this program is your opportunity to gain practical, actionable insights that will help safeguard your institution.
|
|
|
GBA Compliance School - April 26 - May 1, 2026, UGA Center for Continuing Education & Hotel, Athens
|
The GBA Compliance School Board is pleased to announce that enrollment is now open for the 2026 Compliance School. This premier two-year program equips both 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 2026:
-
Year 1 – Building the Base: Learn the fundamentals of compliance and strengthen your bank’s compliance foundation across all departments.
-
Year 2 – Applying the Knowledge: Take a deeper dive into practical applications for lending, deposit, and operational regulations while advancing your proactive compliance strategies.
-
ACE Track – Exclusively for Alumni: Continue your learning journey through flexible, customizable coursework and earn credits toward a GBA Compliance School Master’s.
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.
|
|
|
Banking Foundations - Virtual Training
|
If you’ve got team members new to banking or just entering the workforce, we’ve got 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, CREDIT AND UNDERWRITING PROGRAMS
|
|
|
Credit Conference - Dec. 4-5, University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education & Hotel, Athens
|
The full agenda is now available for the 2025 GBA Credit Conference, set for Dec. 4-5 at the UGA Center for Continuing Education & Hotel in Athens. Planned by the GBA Credit Committee, this year’s program will deliver timely updates on economic conditions, agricultural markets, artificial intelligence and evolving credit risks. Highlights include:
-
Economic Update – Roger Tutterow, Henssler Financial Endowed Chair, Kennesaw State University
- Why AI Should Be on Everyone’s To-Do List – Roman Nazarewycz, Director, Client Engagement, Zest AI
-
Agricultural Economy Update – Will Secor, Assistant Professor & Extension Livestock Economist, University of Georgia
- Clarity and Credit: Navigating Uncertain Waters – Cal Evans, Senior Director, Market Intelligence & Analytics, Synovus
-
Fireside Chat with State Rep. Houston Gaines and GBA’s Tripp Cofield.
Peer-led panels and roundtable discussions will also provide opportunities to exchange strategies and best practices with colleagues from across the state.
|
A huge thank you to our sponsors!
- Platinum Sponsor: Steve H. Powell & Company
- Silver Sponsors: Carr, Riggs & Ingram; CRS Data; Mauldin & Jenkins; Point To Point Environmental; and Wipfli.
|
|
|
South Georgia Community Bank Symposium - Oct. 8, Valdosta State University
|
There is still time to sign up to join the crowd of area banking professionals at the 2025 South Georgia Community Bank Symposium. GBA is proud to partner with VSU’s Harley Langdale Jr. College of Business Administration to host this annual regional event designed for CEOs, board members, management teams, lenders, HR and marketing professionals and others with customer-facing or community roles.
Highlights of the program include:
-
Welcome & Update on Langdale College of Business – Dr. Guclu Atinc, Dean, Harley Langdale Jr. College of Business Administration
-
South Georgia Small Business Trends and Opportunities – Walt Moore, Small Business Consultant, Valdosta State University / University of Georgia Small Business Development Center
- Credit Quality Overview and Outlook – Stewart Thigpen, CEO, Steve H. Powell & Co.
- GBA Advocacy & Regulatory Update – GBA Chairman Philip Williams, The Claxton Bank, and GBA President & CEO Tripp Cofield
- Economic Outlook – Dr. Elvan Aktas, Professor of Finance, Valdosta State University.
|
A huge thank you to our sponsors, Burke Stelling Group and Olsen Palmer.
|
|
|
Succession Planning Online Workshop Series - Nov. 3 and 17, Virtual
|
GBA has partnered with the Iowa Bankers Association to offer a timely and practical two-part webinar series designed to help banks build or refine their succession planning strategies.
Led by consultant and banking veteran Marci Malzahn, the 2025 Succession Planning Online Workshop Series will cover how to identify key leadership roles, assess skills gaps and prepare successors with tailored development plans. Attendees will also receive access to planning resources and a 20-minute consultation with Malzahn Strategic. Registration is $600 per organization and includes both sessions, materials and access to the recordings.
|
|
|
Georgia Banking School - April 26 - May 1, University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education, Athens
|
Registration is open for the 2026 session of Georgia Banking School, GBA’s flagship three-year program that builds the technical knowledge, strategic thinking and leadership skills needed for long-term success. Since 1961, the school has prepared thousands of bankers to lead in every area of their institutions.
Quick Facts
- Who should attend?
Bankers with potential—your A-players eager to learn and ready to grow. -
When and where?
April 26 – May 1, 2026 | Athens, GA - How much?
$2,600 early-bird tuition (includes housing, most meals, materials and instruction)
Students gain a comprehensive view of banking and build peer relationships that last a lifetime.
|
|
|
Marketing Peer Group Meeting - Dec. 9, Methodist Home for Children & Youth, Macon
|
Sign up today for GBA’s 2025 Marketing Peer Group Meeting, Dec. 9 at the Methodist Home for Children & Youth in Macon. This full-day program is designed for bank marketing professionals to exchange ideas, learn new approaches, and strengthen peer connections.
Highlights include an interactive roundtable and a session with Eric Cook of WSI on using artificial intelligence in financial marketing. Attendees will discuss emerging trends, share practical strategies, and connect with colleagues to address common challenges. Registration includes lunch and the opportunity to submit hot topics for group discussion.
|
|
|
New Account Documentation & Compliance Bootcamp - Oct. 8-9 at Middle Georgia State University in Macon
|
Proper account opening is critical to protecting your bank from regulatory and reputational risk. Join us for GBA’s New Account Documentation & Compliance Bootcamp, led by Matthew Dickinson, President & CEO of JM Consultants.
With nearly 20 years of banking experience and a reputation for practical, state-law-customized training, Matthew will guide participants through essential documentation practices, complex account structures, FDIC coverage, and common compliance pitfalls. Each attendee will receive a 200+ page manual packed with checklists, examples, and answers to real-world account-opening challenges.
- Day 1: Consumer & Business Accounts
- Day 2: Trusts & Fiduciary Accounts
Whether you attend one or both days, you’ll return as a more confident and knowledgeable resource for your institution.
|
|
|
IRA Academy - Feb. 3-5, Middle Georgia State University, Macon
|
Your roadmap to IRA mastery is here! The GBA IRA Academy delivers three stand-alone, workshop-style days—attend one, two or all three depending on your training needs.
-
Day 1: IRA Basics – Build a solid foundation in IRA setup, contributions, distributions, transfers & rollovers.
- Day 2: Advanced IRAs – Dive into inherited IRAs, conversions, recharacterizations & qualified charitable distributions.
-
Day 3: Ops, Admin & Reporting – Focus on compliance, reporting, error correction & transaction accuracy.
Pick the days you need or maximize your learning by attending all three. This event will be led by Loni Porta, director of education, Convergent Retirement Plan Solutions.
|
|
|
Webinars from National Experts on OnCourse Learning
|
Facilitated Online Courses
|
Self-Paced Online Courses
|
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)
|
|
|
Manage your preferences | Opt Out using TrueRemove™
Got this as a forward? Sign up to receive our future emails.
View this email online.
|
1475 Peachtree St. NE Suite 800 | Atlanta, GA 30309 US
|
|
|
This email was sent to kweiss@gabankers.com.
To continue receiving our emails, add us to your address book.
|
| |
|
|
