ADVOCACY

GBA's Advocacy Team

Concluding Thoughts About 2026 Legislative Session

This year’s legislative session ended in a fast-moving and unpredictable fashion, with Sine Die delivering one of the more chaotic finishes in recent memory. While there was clearly a plan behind the scenes, from the Capitol hallways it felt like events were shifting in real time. Bills moved rapidly, often layered with amendments and substitutions, making it challenging to track the latest versions. If you missed last week’s GBA Legislative Update, you can read it here.

And the process isn’t over. Gov. Kemp will now consider which bills to sign or veto, and there is already discussion of a special session later this year to deal with unresolved election issues and possibly the property tax relief bill that was passed in the 11th hour last week. It’s safe to say, this is not the end of developments from this session. We’ll continue tracking gubernatorial actions, effective dates and what it all means for Georgia’s banking industry, so stay tuned. Feel free to reach out to GBA’s advocacy team if you have questions.

• Elizabeth Chandler, echandler@gabankers.com, 404.372.7893
• Tripp Cofield, tcofield@gabankers.com, 617.909.9530
• Bo Brannen, bbrannen@gabankers.com, 404.731.9886
• Steve Bridges, sbridges@gabankers.com, 770.789.5605

Action Alert: Speak Up in Support of SCAM Act

This week, GBA joined the American Bankers Association and state associations in sending a letter to House and Senate members urging support and co-sponsorship of the SCAM Act — legislation designed to combat the growing threat of fraud tied to online ads. Scams increasingly originate from deceptive online ads that impersonate trusted institutions and mislead consumers. The legislation would require stronger safeguards from digital platforms, including advertiser verification and faster removal of fraudulent ads. Here are two resources to help understand the bill and the issue at hand:

• SCAM Act One Pager
• Fraud Impacts on Georgia

Now’s a good time for you and your fellow bankers to contact you legislators to support the bill, too. Send a letter to your members of the Georgia delegation here.

Administration Again Targets CDFI Fund Cuts

The Trump administration is once again pushing to scale back the CDFI Fund. Included in the White House’s proposed budget for 2027 is a $204.5 million cut to the CDFI Fund’s budget and a renewed focus on directing remaining dollars to rural communities. Similar proposals have faced bipartisan pushback in the past, but the issue continues to resurface alongside broader oversight and compliance changes. GBA will continue to monitor how the proposal evolves and what it could mean for Georgia CDFIs.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Regulators Advance BSA Reform, Supervisory Changes and Stablecoin Framework

Federal regulators took several notable actions this week spanning anti-money laundering compliance, supervisory practices and emerging digital asset oversight.

CRIME AND PUNISHMENT

Federal Action Recovers More Than $800K in Multi-Bank Fraud Scheme

Federal authorities have recovered more than $800,000 tied to a widespread bank fraud scheme targeting accounts nationwide, including in Georgia.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia announced the forfeiture of $834,592 from a scheme involving more than 1,100 financial institutions. The FBI identified more than $3 million in fraud proceeds, with much of it already returned to victims through bank coordination.

Investigators said fraudsters recruited individuals to use their accounts to receive illicit funds under false pretenses. In one case, a south Georgia account holder believed deposits were tied to legitimate insurance payments when they were actually generated using remotely created checks drawn from victims’ accounts.

Law enforcement acted quickly to identify the scheme and seize funds before they could be dispersed. The FBI led the investigation, and efforts continue to return recovered funds to victims. Read more.

GBA NEWS

HR RESOURCES FOR BANKS

GBA’s 2026 Georgia Banking Compensation Survey is Open for Participation

Are you ready to take your HR strategy to the next level? The GBA’s 2026 Georgia Banking Compensation Survey is here to help you manage employee compensation programs effectively. The survey is open now for participation through May 22.

Why This Survey Matters:

• Comprehensive Insights: Get detailed data on base salaries, salary ranges, short-term and long-term incentives, total cash compensation and total compensation.
• HR Policies & Practices: Access in-depth information on salary increases, merit increases, structure adjustments, outsourcing, turnover and recruiting.
• Strategic Advantage: Use this valuable tool to stay competitive and make informed decisions about your wage and salary programs.

Key Dates to Remember:

• Survey Effective Date: April 1, 2026
• Submission Due Date: May 22, 2026
• Results Published: Week of Aug. 10, 2026

Exclusive Pricing:

• Participants: $650
• Non-Participants: $1,495

If your bank has not received a participation email, please contact Rhonda Snyder at rhonda.snyder@pearlmeyer.com, and she can send you the necessary info to participate.

TRAINING & EVENTS

Registration Now Open for 2026 Women in Banking Conference

Calling all GBA member women bankers, Strategic Partners, Associate Members, Bank Accountant and Bank Counsel members! You are invited to participate in this year’s Women in Banking Conference, Aug. 13-14 at the beautiful Chateau Elan Winery & Resort in Braselton.

This annual conference delivers a dynamic mix of educational sessions that deepen professional knowledge and encourage personal growth. It’s this unique blend of learning and connection that creates the high-energy, collaborative atmosphere our attendees value year after year. Attendees consistently share that the Women in Banking Conference is both a professional milestone and a personal highlight. See the detailed conference agenda.

The registration fee is $495/pp and includes all sessions, speaker materials, opening reception, Thursday lunch, Friday breakfast and breaks. Hotel rooms are $219/night, plus a $19/night resort fee. Learn more here.

No matter your role or goals, you'll find opportunities to learn, connect and stretch yourself. You will leave energized, grateful and better equipped to face the daily challenges of work, home, and life!

A huge thank-you to these Associate Members who are already showing their event support through sponsorship:

Sapphire Sponsor: CRS Data

Diamond Sponsor: Profit Resources

Silver Sponsors: FHLBank Atlanta; Kristopher James Company; McNair, McLemore, Middlebrooks & Co.; Troutman Pepper Locke; and Wipfli.

One Week Left for Group Hotel Rates at Rural Development and Lending Conference

The deadline is approaching to reserve your room for GBA's 2026 Rural Development and Lending Conference at discounted group rates at The King & Prince on St. Simons Island. Make your reservations by April 16, and keep in mind rooms in the GBA block may sell out before that date. Planned by the GBA Agriculture Committee, the conference will take place May 18-19. See hotel info here.

Sessions include:

• Peanut Update — Marshall Lamb, U.S. Department of Agriculture
• Beef Cattle Industry Update — Will Secor, University of Georgia, Ag & Applied Economics
• Timber Panel — Tim Lowrimore, Georgia Forestry Association; Dru Preston, Georgia Forestry Commission
• Crop Insurance — Plenn Hunnicutt, South Georgia Crop Insurance
• Vegetable Update — Chris Butts, Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association
• Agricultural Lending in Georgia: Regulatory Updates, Credit Trends, and Emerging Risks — Stewart Thigpen, Steve H. Powell & Company
• Farm Labor Session — Ellen Hendley, AGWORKS H2

Kristen Stogniew

Geare up for Next BSA Peer Group Meeting

Join your peers for a full day of in-person learning and collaboration at the upcoming BSA Peer Group Meeting July 22 at Middle Georgia State University’s Macon campus. Led by Kristen Stogniew, shareholder and leader of Saltmarsh’s Financial Institution Consulting practice, this interactive session will explore current industry hot topics and best practices to strengthen your bank’s BSA/AML/CFT and OFAC programs.

Conveniently located at the Robert F. Hatcher, Sr. Conference Center on the Middle Georgia State University – Macon Campus, this centrally located venue offers easy access for members across the state.

Attendees are encouraged to submit discussion topics during registration to ensure meaningful and relevant peer conversations. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain expert insights, exchange ideas, and expand your professional network. 

Leadership Conference Program Packs a Pro Punch

The Leadership GBA Board of Directors is putting the finishing touches on the educational slate for this summer’s annual Leadership Conference, and it’s going to be an exceptional slate. Join emerging bank leaders from across Georgia July 13-15 at the newly-renovated Omni Amelia Island. Check out these session highlights:

• Industry Update with Bo Fears, commissioner, Georgia Department of Banking and Finance, and GBA’s Tripp Cofield 
• The Georgia Banking Environment: 2026 Mid-Year Wellness Check with Cal Evans, senior director of market intelligence & analytics, Synovus
• Putting AI to Work in Your Bank: A panel discussion with Jaye Eubanks, EVP,  operations and technology director, United Bank; Ben Nichols, co-founder and COO, directlink; and Ajay John, VP, data science & AI with CSI
• Tokenized Money: What’s Real, What’s Next, with ABA’s Senior Director of Innovation Policy Kaye Lynch-Sparks
• Leadership Workshop with Mike Fitzgerald, president, Fitzgerald MIS Peak Performance Consulting
• Closing Speaker Mike Oster, retired U.S. Army National Guard brigadier general, professional speaker, trainer and best-selling author. 

In addition to exceptional learning opportunities, the Leadership Conference delivers purposeful peer exchange, strategic time with exhibitors and authentic connections with banking colleagues. Attendees and family members alike will love the changes at the Omni. Registration and the room block are now open! Learn more here. 

Exhibit space is still available. A big shout-out to these Associate Members who are showing their event support through sponsorship: 

• Presenting Sponsors: CSRA Business Lending, First Stop Health and Point to Point Environmental
• Platinum Sponsors: Anthem, CRS Data and Steve H. Powell & Company
• Gold Sponsors: FHLBank Atlanta and ServisFirst Bank
• Silver Sponsors: Baker Tilly; McNair, McLemore, Middlebrooks & Co.; The First National Bankers Bank; Troutman Pepper Locke; and Wipfli.

Coming Up Soon!

Operations and Technology Peer Group
May 4, Methodist Home for Children & Youth, Macon

Join Virtually or In-Person!

Fraud Academy
Aug. 18-20, Hyatt Regency, Lexington, KY

More Events and Training Opportunities Coming up

• Bank Security Conference - April 13-15, The Westin Jekyll Island

• Georgia Banking School - April 26 - May 1, University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education & Hotel, Athens

• GBA Compliance School - April 26 - May 1, University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education & Hotel, Athens

• Bank PR & Crisis Communications - May 7 & 14, Webinar Series

• Internal Audit Peer Group Meeting - May 14, Methodist Home for Children & Youth, Macon

• 2026 Annual Meeting - June 7-9, The Cloister, Sea Island

• Information Security Officer 101 Seminar - June 23, Middle Georgia State University, Macon

• Understanding Bank Performance Webinar Series - July 9-31, Zoom

ONLINE LEARNING – GREAT FOR FUNDAMENTALS TRAINING

Debit Cards, ACH Rules & Regulations, Cross Selling, Succession Planning and More 

Take a look at online training opportunities available to GBA members from OnCourse Learning and the American Bankers Association.

Upcoming hot topic webinars:

• BSA/AML and OFAC Compliance - 3 Part Series – April 13

• Using Principles of Critical Thinking – April 14

• IRA Beneficiary Workshop – April 14

• Bank Accounting Workshop: Interest Earning Assets - 2 Part Series – April 15

• New Community Bank Compliance Officer Workshop - 2 Part Series – April 16

• Alert! FinCEN Reduces BSA Beneficial Ownership Certification Burden! – April 17

• The Seamless Customer Experience: The Keys to Cross Selling Workshop - 2 Part Series – April 22

• Debit Cards - Everything You Need to Know – May 5

• Bank Accounting Complex Transactions – 4 Part Series - May 6, 8, 13 and 15

• TRID Workshop - 2 Part Series – May 19

Self-paced courses, certificates and reference guides:

• ACH Rules & Regulations: Making Sense of the Legal Framework

• Teller Basics: Upskill for a Digital World

• Reference Guide to Regulatory Compliance

• Succession Planning for Banks

• ABA Bank Teller Certificate

Facilitated courses starting soon:

• Commercial Lending – April 13 - July 3
• Building Customer Relationships – April 27 - May 22
• Marketing Planning – April 27 - May 22

Upskill Your Front Line: Teller Basics Training for Today’s Digital Banking Environment

Designed for newly hired tellers, this updated Teller Basics suite delivers a modern, interactive onboarding experience that builds essential customer service and transaction skills in a digital-first banking landscape. Through six self-paced courses — covering everything from cash handling and check processing to fraud awareness and the evolving role of the teller — learners gain practical knowledge they can apply immediately. Enhanced with refreshed graphics, narration and the ABA GO Huddle facilitation tool, the program supports both individual growth and team-based learning. Flexible and career-focused, this training equips your frontline staff with the confidence and capabilities needed to succeed.

Learn more and access the suite here

PARTNERS, PRODUCTS & ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

GBA members are invited to explore a powerful new tool from Strategic Partner Abrigo designed to simplify document review and strengthen risk management. Abrigo’s Intelligent Scan demo showcases how AI can quickly analyze complex documents, helping banks improve efficiency and accuracy.

In this live demo, attendees will see how the solution delivers:

• Automated document analysis to accelerate reviews
• Improved accuracy by minimizing manual errors
• Enhanced risk identification across loan and compliance files
• Greater efficiency so staff can focus on higher-value work.

Don’t miss this opportunity to see the technology in action. Register and attend the demo here.

A new article from GBA Associate Member CSI highlights the top priorities shaping bank strategy in 2026, as institutions balance growth, efficiency and rising customer expectations. Based on industry survey data, banks are focusing investments on technology, security and customer experience. Top priorities include:

• Technology modernization to improve integration and innovation
• Cybersecurity and fraud defense amid rising AI-driven threats
• Operational efficiency through automation and streamlined systems
• Market expansion with a focus on deepening existing relationships
• Customer support improvements driven by personalization and AI.

These priorities reflect a shift toward doing more with less while strengthening customer relationships and protecting the bank. Read the full article from CSI for deeper insights into how these trends are shaping bank strategy.

COMPLIANCE CORNER

Question: Is it a regulatory violation if a lender orders an appraisal without having received intent to proceed under Reg Z? When can we first charge for an appraisal?

Answer: Reg Z does not expressly prohibit the actual ordering of an appraisal prior to receiving intent to proceed. However, without intent to proceed, the Bank runs the risk of not being able to charge the customer for the appraisal. Reg Z does not permit the bank to impose most fees in connection with the transaction before the consumer has provided the intent to proceed. Once the bank has received intent to proceed, it may impose an appraisal fee. Some banks choose not to order any appraisal prior to receiving intent to proceed because if the intent to proceed is never provided, the bank cannot charge for it. So, this is not necessarily a regulatory error unless you attempt to charge for it without receiving intent to proceed.

Sign up for a free demo and 48-hour trial:

• Tuesdays at 11 a.m.
• Thursdays at 2 p.m.

NEWSMAKERS

Alma - Pineland Bank

The bank recently celebrated Rod Rentz, who has retired after more than 53 years in banking. Rentz began his banking career in 1973 after active duty in the U.S. Naval Reserves. He worked for several banks in Georgia before joining Pineland Bank in 1993 as the operations officer.

Moultrie - First National Bank

Moultrie native and former Arkansas Razorback and NFL player TJ Smith has joined the bank team as a credit analyst. 

Perry - Planters First Bank 

Stephanie Hill has been appointed as Perry market president. Read more.

Perry - SunMark Community Bank

Jennifer Musgrave has joined the bank as a loan operations clerk/processor.

Rome - River City Bank

Lindsey Chambers has joined the bank team as assistant vice president and branch manager of the Rome office. Read more.

Watkinsville - BankSouth

Mason Banks has rejoined the bank’s Watkinsville team as a junior relationship manager serving clients throughout the Watkinsville and Athens area. Read more.

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

Bainbridge - First National Bank

The bank has sponsored the Moss Farms Diving Team.

Dublin - Bank of Dudley

Bank team member Matthew Wiegel recently visited East Laurens High School to speak with students in the GYM and QUTE Programs about financial literacy and the importance of good credit.

Hawkinsville - Planters First Bank

The bank donated stress balls to the Pulaski County Senior Center for their clients. The bank also contributed toward Pulaski County Elementary School’s recent student and parent event by providing lemonade, Easter coloring sheets and children's savings tip sheets.

Perry - SunMark Community Bank

The bank served as the presenting sponsor for the Perry Area Chamber of Commerce Adult Leadership Class and their community project.

Varnell - Builtwell Bank

The bank sponsored the April recipients of Whitfield County Schools Above and Beyond Awards, the School Nutrition team at Varnell Elementary School.

Read All About It: Send Us Your News

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.

Recruit, Retain and Develop the Best Bankers with GBA's Job Bank

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.