Susan Moss to Assume Chairmanship; Perry and Earnest Nominated as Officers
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The GBA Nominating Committee has met and according to its Chair, Brad Barber, president and CEO, First National Bank, Bainbridge, the committee unanimously recommends the 2026-2027 GBA Chairman-Elect be Tim Perry, president and CEO, The Citizens Bank of Georgia, Cumming. Nominated as Vice Chairman is Ryan Earnest, president and CEO, First National Community Bank, Rome. Perry and Earnest will stand for election by the membership during the GBA Annual Business Meeting at 7:10 a.m. on June 9, 2026, at The Cloister at Sea Island. As the current Chairman-Elect, Susan Moss, president and CEO, Planters & Citizens Bank, Camilla, automatically becomes 2026-2027 GBA Chairman on July 1. At the Annual Meeting, we’ll also hear a state of the association speech by current GBA Chairman Philip Williams, The Claxton Bank, install board members, consider resolutions and recognize bankers who have served 50 years or more in the industry. Click here for details and registration access for the GBA Annual Meeting.
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New Board Members Elected
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As specified by the GBA Bylaws, the membership elects directors to represent GBA’s North, Central and South Groups to three-year terms. The following bankers, elected by their peers, will begin a three-year term on the GBA Board of Directors beginning July 1, 2026. They will be installed at the GBA Annual Business Meeting in June.
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North Group: Matt Robbins, president and CEO, River City Bank, Rome
- Central Group: Andrew Ainslie, president, Bank of Madison
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South Group: Ryan Warren, president and CEO, Commercial Banking Company, Valdosta. He will also serve as the Community Bankers Committee representative, as he’s chairing the committee this year.
The incoming Chairman also makes an At-Large appointment each year for a three-year term. Susan Moss has appointed Bill Hogan, CEO, Northeast Georgia Bank, Lavonia.
The Associate Members also elect a representative to serve a three-year term. Stewart Thigpen, CEO, Steve H. Powell & Company, Statesboro, has been elected.
Ed Pope, president & CEO, F&M Bank, Washington, will serve in the position designated for the chair of GBA Services, Inc.
Also joining the board in the designated position of Leadership GBA Chair will be Zach Giddens, EVP-senior lender, SunMark Community Bank, Warner Robins.
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Farewell to U.S. Representative David Scott
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We were sad to learn this week of the passing of Rep. David Scott. GBA had a decades-long relationship with Rep. Scott throughout his service in the Georgia House of Representatives, the Georgia State Senate and then in Congress, where he began serving in 2003. He was always open to our position on issues, and approached his votes on the facts, rather than through a partisan lens. His longtime service and influence on the House Financial Services and Agriculture Committees, and the state Senate Banking and Rules Committees, ensured positive legislation passed that helped all Georgians and the industries that serve them. We will miss him, and will be thinking of his wife, Alfredia, and family as we all mourn this legendary leader.
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House Committee Advances Bill to Expand 1071 Relief
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We’re encouraged that the House Financial Services Committee this week voted 26-22 to advance the Small LENDER Act (H.R. 941). The bill would exempt certain community banks from small-business lending data reporting requirements under Section 1071 of the Dodd-Frank Act. The bill would raise exemption thresholds, including for banks under $10 billion in assets and those with lower small-business loan volumes, while narrowing the definition of a small business. We’ve voiced our support for this bill to our congressional delegation and will be doing so again during our upcoming visit to Washington, D.C., next month.
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CFPB Removes Disparate Impact from ECOA enforcement
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The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau this week finalized a rule removing disparate-impact liability from Equal Credit Opportunity Act enforcement, while clarifying standards around discouragement of applicants and marketing practices. The rule also imposes new restrictions on special-purpose credit programs, including prohibiting for-profit lenders from using protected characteristics like race or sex in eligibility criteria.
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CBLR Rule Expanded for Community Banks
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Federal regulators announced late Thursday they have finalized updates to the Community Bank Leverage Ratio framework, lowering the leverage ratio from 9% to 8% and extending the grace period from two to four quarters in order to provide additional time for community banks to either satisfy the definition of a qualifying organization or to achieve compliance with risk-based capital requirements. The changes aim to bring more community banks into the framework while preserving strong capital standards, regulators said. Banks with less than $10 billion in assets that aren’t considered advanced-approaches banks may elect to use the CBLR framework. This would apply to essentially all Georgia-based banks.
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Atlanta Fed Data Shows Business Cost Expectations Rising, Pressures Persist
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We like to keep an eye on business inflation to monitor what that might mean for members and their customers. The Atlanta Fed does a good job tracking that, and its latest Business Inflation Expectations survey shows firms’ year-ahead unit cost expectations rising to 2.3%, remaining above the pre-pandemic average of 2.0%. The report points to continued pressure from input costs — particularly tied to energy, with about two-thirds of firms reporting higher costs from recent oil price increases and many expecting further increases if prices remain elevated. For Georgia, those dynamics suggest a still-uneven cost environment, meaning banks may see ongoing pressure on business customers even as overall inflation trends stabilize.
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ASSOCIATE MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
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Welcome GBA's Newest Associate Members
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GBA Associate Membership is offered to individuals and organizations that want to do more business with banks as clients. These members also provide invaluable support to GBA's activities and programs throughout the year through attendance, sponsorships, exhibits and shared expertise. Be sure to get to know them and thank them for supporting the GBA.
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| Access Point Financial
Mr. Justin Perry, jperry@accesspointfinancial.com
Atlanta, GA
www.accesspointfinancial.com
Access Point Financial (APF) is a direct hotel capital provider and lender, exclusively focused on the hospitality industry. APF offers flexible programs, including Senior Bridge Loans, Construction Loans, Mezzanine Loans, and Preferred Equity.
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ACE Technologies
Ms. Dawn Moore, Dawn.moore@acetechno.net
Hahira, GA
www.ace.tech
Ace Technologies is a low-voltage systems integrator specializing in design, installation and service of life safety, network cabling, security, and audio/visual systems. The company is committed to exceptional customer service, quality and reliability, employing highly trained technicians with advanced certifications to deliver consistent, high-performance solutions tailored to each customer’s needs.
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| Affordable Equity Partners
Ms. Pamela Hertz, phetz@aepartners.com
Atlanta, GA
www.aepartners.com
LIHTC allows banks to both improve their after-tax returns and meet regulatory community development requirements.
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| Ag Resource Management
Ms. Ashley Arrington, AArrington@armlend.com
Addison, TX
www.armlend.com
Since 2009, ARM has offered crop-backed operating lines to farmers across the country. This approach allows ARM to partner with banks that have operating lines they cannot renew but want to retain the customer's term debt.
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| Bankers Purchasing Group
Mr. Adolfo Fernandez, Adolfo.fernandez@ecpurchasing.com
Jacksonville, FL
www.bankerspurchasinggroup.com
Bankers Purchasing Group helps banks reduce operational expenses across products and services, including shipping, wireless services and equipment, office supplies, IT products, office equipment, travel, and other operational costs.
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| CCH Capital Partners
Mr. Shane Stewart, shane@cchprocurement.com
Tallahassee, FL
www.cchcapitalpartners.com
CCH Capital Partners is a private investment firm focused on acquiring non-performing and sub-performing loan portfolios from financial institutions. The firm provides liquidity solutions that enable banks to enhance balance sheet performance, reduce exposure to distressed assets, and efficiently redeploy capital.
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| Flagship Bank
Mr. Troy Poulin, tpoulin@flagshipbank.com
Clearwater, FL
www.flagshipbank.com
Flagship Bank is dedicated to renewing former relationships and building new ones by serving the financial needs of owner-managed businesses and the communities it supports. The bank prioritizes local, timely decision-making and focuses on fostering long-term relationships by understanding customer needs and consistently delivering service that exceeds expectations, strengthening trust and community ties.
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| GeorgiaLink Public Affairs
Mr. Boyd Pettit, boyd@georgialink.com
Atlanta, GA
www.georgialink.com
GeorgiaLink Public Affairs Group secures and strengthens relationships between the private sector and government. The firm draws on its unique mix of experience in politics, private industry, government, and professional associations to help steer legislation and mobilize business and political communities. GeorgiaLink creates opportunities for a diverse clientele, including Fortune 500 companies, associations, entrepreneurs, professional groups and local governments.
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Ingo Payments
Mr. Drew Edwards, drew@ingopayments.com
Alpharetta, GA
www.ingomoney.com
Ingo Payments empowers banks to launch instant payment capabilities quickly without rebuilding their core infrastructure. Its embedded platform delivers instant account funding, real-time disbursements and multi-rail money movement, including white-label P2P, B2P and B2B payout solutions. Through these capabilities, Ingo Payments enables banks to offer modern payment experiences, generate new fee revenue and compete with fintechs on speed and convenience.
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ISAM Consulting
Mr. J.W. Dukes, jwdukes@isamconsulting.com
Atlanta, GA
www.isamconsulting.com
Community Bank Consulting / Commercial Banking / Policies & Procedures / Credit Quality / Special Asset Management / Capital Markets / Note Sales / Executive on Retainer
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Peak Strategic Consulting
Mr. Sam Drennen, sam@peakstrategicconsulting.com
Watkinsville, GA
www.peakstrategicconsulting.com
Peak Strategic Consulting provides senior-level advisory services focused on operational efficiency, in-house AI integration, risk and fraud management, growth strategy, and human capital performance. The firm delivers immediate operational value while strengthening controls and building sustainable foundations for long-term growth.
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| Prolific Banking
Ms. Robin Holtson, robin.holtson@prolificbanking.com
Atlanta, GA
www.prolificbanking.com
Prolific Open Digital is a cloud-based commercial banking platform that unifies internal and customer-facing applications. With a digital-first model, banks gain automated account opening, treasury onboarding, data delivery, fintech connectivity, and other services tailored to their current needs and future goals.
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R&T Deposit Solutions
Mr. Ward Rice, wrice@rnt.com
New York, NY
www.rnt.com
R&T Deposit Solutions is a financial services company that provides innovative products and services to banks, trust companies, broker-dealers and other financial institutions. Their offerings include cash sweep, deposit funding, and balance sheet management solutions.
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| The Financial Literacy Coach
Mr. Eric Smith, eksgroup@gmail.com
Newnan, GA
www.thefinancialliteracycoach.com
The firm is a comprehensive financial literacy solutions provider trusted by banks to drive ROI since 2015. It delivers engaging, meaningful financial education that improves lives while strengthening the bottom line. Through professional presentations, the firm helps banks drive revenue and increase demand for products and services.
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Register Now for the BankPAC Pickleball Paddle Battle
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GBA is teaming up once again with Rhythm & Rally Sports & Events in Macon for the second-annual GBA BankPAC Pickleball Paddle Battle on Aug. 27, benefiting the GBA StatePAC*. Held at the world’s largest indoor pickleball facility, this event offers an afternoon of networking, friendly competition and fun. Players of all skill levels are welcome. Enjoy lunch, giveaways and plenty of action.
Registration is $100 per player and includes tournament play, paddle and balls, water/snacks and lunch. The tournament will feature doubles competition (same-gender or mixed) in a round-robin format. Individual registrants are welcome and will be paired with another player.
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Get involved beyond the court!
Sponsorship Opportunities are available, with prices ranging from $250 - $650. Click here for details or contact GBA’s Kathy Friestad with questions.
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* The GBA StatePAC contributes only to candidates running for state-level offices such as the Georgia General Assembly, the Governor’s office and the Lieutenant Governor’s office. Contributions may be made by an individual, from bank funds if you are a state-chartered bank, or from a national bank holding company using funds not derived from national bank operations.
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Reminder: RSVP for Next BSA Peer Group Meeting
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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.
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Understanding Bank Performance Program Teaches Fundamentals
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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.
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 July and October.
Learn more and sign up using the following links:
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SAVE THE DATE!
GBA President/CEO, Bank Accountant, and Bank Counsel Conferences
Oct. 4-6
The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds at Lake Oconee
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More Events and Training Opportunities Coming up
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- Operations and Technology Peer Group - May 4, Methodist Home for Children & Youth, Macon
Bank PR & Crisis Communications - May 7 & 14, Webinar Series
Internal Audit Peer Group Meeting - May 14, Methodist Home for Children & Youth, Macon
Rural Development and Lending Conference - May 18-19, The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort, St. Simons
- 2026 Annual Meeting - June 7-9, The Cloister, Sea Island
Information Security Officer 101 Seminar - June 23, Middle Georgia State University, Macon
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ONLINE LEARNING – GREAT FOR FUNDAMENTALS TRAINING
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Debit Cards, ACH Rules & Regulations, Creating Exceptional Client Experiences 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:
Facilitated courses starting soon:
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PARTNERS, PRODUCTS & ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
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How to Make Smarter Compensation Decisions in 2026
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The Georgia Banking Compensation Survey is open! Haven’t received your invite? Reach out to Rhonda Snyder at rhonda.snyder@pearlmeyer.com to join in. Here’s why participation is a smart move:
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Benchmark Compensation – Access detailed salary and incentive data.
- Spot HR Trends – Learn about raises, merit adjustments, and outsourcing.
- Stay Competitive – Make informed talent decisions with confidence.
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Great Value – Submit data and get the full report for $650 (regularly $1,495).
- Easy Timeline – Submit by May 22. Results available the week of Aug. 10.
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Free Fraud Webinar – May 27 at 2 p.m.
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Telegram has become a thriving marketplace for modern fraud, powering everything from check fraud and account takeovers to large-scale payment card schemes. Join the team from Abrigo for the "Telegram Fraud Exposed: Inside The Cybercrime Economy Fueling Financial Fraud" webinar as they cover this rapidly evolving ecosystem, drawing on global intelligence from Q6 Cyber to uncover how fraudsters are organizing, scaling and monetizing stolen data across more than 21,000 fraud-focused channels. You’ll learn how these networks operate, how tactics are changing, and most importantly, what banks should be watching right now. Click here to register.
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STRATEGIC PARTNER DART APPRAISAL
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Preparing for UAD 3.6: What Bank Lenders Need to Know Now
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GBA Strategic Partner Dart Appraisal recently released a timely resource to help lenders prepare for the industry’s shift to The Uniform Appraisal Dataset 3.6 (UAD 3.6). UAD 3.6 is a new, data-driven reporting standard from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that replaces legacy appraisal forms with a single, dynamic report built on MISMO 3.6. For banks, the change means more structured, machine-readable data, improving collateral risk analysis, underwriting efficiency and quality control. The transition is already underway, with lenders able to adopt the new format now. However, compliance becomes mandatory for GSE submissions on Nov. 2, 2026, with legacy forms fully retired by May 2027. Dart’s resources webpage outlines key impacts, readiness steps and implementation considerations, making it a valuable roadmap for lenders navigating one of the most significant appraisal changes in decades. Check out the site here, and access an on-demand webinar in the video above. Contact Michael Dresden at mdresden@dartappraisal.com with questions.
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STRATEGIC PARTNER ADVANTAGE, POWERED BY JMFA
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Why Overdraft Management is Becoming an Operations & IT Priority
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Overdraft management is quickly evolving into a key operations and IT priority for financial institutions, according to a new article from GBA Strategic Partner ADVANTAGE. Rising customer expectations and increased competition from fintechs are pushing banks to deliver overdraft services that are consistent, transparent and fully integrated across channels. This shift requires stronger alignment between operations, technology and frontline teams, along with better data monitoring and communication. Banks relying on outdated systems or siloed processes risk underperforming programs, compliance challenges and diminished customer trust. A more coordinated, data-driven approach can improve efficiency and strengthen relationships. The bottom line: overdraft is no longer just a product, it is a critical operational function requiring strategic attention. Read the full article here.
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Athens - Classic City Bank
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James Carson has joined the bank as vice president of commercial banking.
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Chattanooga, TN - Builtwell Bank
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The bank ranked 21st in the Southeast region and 82nd nationally in S&P Global Market Intelligence’s 2025 list of the Best-Performing Community Banks. Read more.
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Greenville, SC / Gainesville - United Community Bank / Peach State Bank & Trust
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United Community Banks Inc., the parent company of United Community Bank, agreed to acquire Peach State Bancshares Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary Peach State Bank & Trust in a cash-and-stock transaction worth about $100.8 million. The deal is expected to close in the third quarter.
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Perry - SunMark Community Bank
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Ashley Chapman has joined the bank team as a clerk/processor supporting the loan operations department.
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Raleigh, NC - First Carolina Bank
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Steven Deaton has been appointed as chief financial officer of the bank. Read more.
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Savannah - Coastal States Bank
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Laurie Bak has joined the bank team as treasury services relationship banker at its Downtown Savannah branch on Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard. Read more.
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Vinings/Smyrna - BankSouth Mortgage
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BankSouth Mortgage was voted Best Mortgage Lender in Vinings and Smyrna for 2026 through the Best of Vinings/Smyrna program. Read more.
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There are a few Ask The Fed webinars coming up bankers may want to sign up for: May 5 - Ask the Regulators: Proposals to Change Bank Capital Requirements, May 6 - Agriculture Update, and May 7 - Commercial Real Estate Update. Bankers may register at www.askthefed.org
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Ashburn - South Georgia Banking Company
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The bank’s Ashburn branch hosted a group from Turner County High School to teach them about identity theft and scams.
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| Athens - American Pride Bank
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The bank sponsored the Athens Twilight 5K.
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Atlanta - Georgia Banking Company
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To celebrate Financial Literacy Month, members of the bank’s retail team volunteered with Junior Achievement, helping students learn the basics of money management and financial responsibility.
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Augusta - Queensborough National Bank & Trust Company
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The bank received the Role Model Campaign Award from the United Way of CSRA at their annual event.
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Blairsville - River City Bank
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The bank presented a donation to the Union County High School DECA program, which prepares students for careers in business, marketing, finance and entrepreneurship.
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The bank sponsored the Dublin-Laurens County Chamber’s April Business After Hours event. The bank also sponsored the Stepping Stone Child Advocacy & Sexual Assault Center’s annual Child Abuse Prevention Luncheon.
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| | Perry - SunMark Community Bank
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The bank served as the presenting sponsor of the Robins Regional Chamber Youth Leadership Program. Team members lead a financial literacy session on the final day. The bank also sponsored and partnered with The Cooper Law Firm for their Spring into License Law event.
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The bank hosted students from Wilkes County 4-H for a tour of its main office and deposit operations to teach them about the day-to-day workings of a local bank.
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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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