Reminder: Vote for FHLBank Atlanta Directors by Sept. 17
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The deadline to vote in the 2026 FHLBank Atlanta director election is Thursday, Sept. 17, at 5 p.m. EDT. GBA encourages all eligible Georgia member institutions to cast their ballots and support Jim Edwards, CEO of United Bank, for the Georgia member director seat.
Edwards is a third-generation community banker and past chairman of both GBA and the American Bankers Association. He is also the only Georgia candidate representing an FDIC-insured institution.
If your institution has not yet voted, please take a few minutes to cast your ballot before the deadline. Every vote counts.
Questions about voting may be directed to FHLBank Atlanta’s Courtney Tobin, associate general counsel, at 404.888.5343 or ctobin@fhlbatl.com.
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Help Commissioner Fears: Share Your Community Bank Outlook
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The third-quarter 2026 Community Bank Sentiment Index survey is now open, and GBA is encouraging Georgia community bankers to participate. Your input will help Georgia Banking Commissioner Bo Fears and the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance ensure Georgia’s perspective is well represented in this national measure of community bank sentiment.
The survey takes about six minutes and asks bankers about their economic outlook, business plans and local conditions. Results are compiled by the Conference of State Bank Supervisors and are increasingly used by economists, academics and policymakers, including through the Federal Reserve’s FRED database.
The survey is open through Sept. 30. Take the survey here.
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Share Your Story to Help Bring Banking Policy Issues to Life
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The American Bankers Association announced a new tool to help bankers share real-world examples of how policy issues affect their banks, customers and communities. From fraud and local lending to other challenges, these stories can help policymakers better understand the practical impact of their decisions.
GBA encourages member bankers to Record Your Story and share experiences from your bank or community. The more examples collected, the stronger the banking industry’s voice can be in policy discussions.
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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.
This week, contributions to the GBA FedPAC have come from eligible employees, officers and directors of:
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- Classic City Bank, Athens, Colin Stokes, president & CEO
- Oconee State Bank, Watkinsville, Neil Stevens, president & CEO
- PrimeSouth Bank, Blackshear, Jim Walker, president & CEO.
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Farm Economy Outlook Improves
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We like to keep tabs on ag economy trends for members that bank farmers and other agricultural customers. So, an article in one of this week’s online Georgia CEO publications caught our eye. It said the latest Purdue/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer shows farmer sentiment improved in August, largely because of a better outlook for the future. Some trends of note are:
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- Financial confidence is improving, with more farmers expecting better conditions ahead. For the first time since June 2025, more farmers expect to be financially better off a year from now than worse off.
- High input costs remain a major concern, continuing to put pressure on farm margins.
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Capital spending remains cautious, despite the improved outlook.
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While the survey is national, the trends provide useful perspective for Georgia’s farm economy and agricultural lenders. Access the full report here.
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GBA Retirement Services Celebrates 401(k) Day™
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The Plan Sponsor Council of America recognizes Thursday, Sept. 10, this year as 401(k) Day™, an observance created to provide resources to employers to share with employees to promote saving for retirement. Their 2026 Campaign focuses on a “Never Too Little, Never Too Late” theme to encourage plan participants to take advantage of a benefit with a long-term impact to their well-being. Sponsors can read more and access those resources here, including helpful flyers you can share with your employees to encourage better outcomes. American Trust also created a Top 10 List for Retirement which may be helpful for plan participants.
At GBA Retirement Services, our primary focus remains on helping participants prepare for a successful retirement, which aligns with the core principles of 401(k) Day. We are proud of the progress GBARS has made since partnering with American Trust, with 69% of total Trust participants on track to replace at least 70% of their income in retirement. We attribute participant success to plan design, such as automatic enrollment, and offering a Managed Account Option as the default investment for participants. Automatic enrollment and managed account options simplify enrollment and planning for participants. 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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Free Member Webinar Sept. 14: Understanding Georgia’s New Transaction Hold Law
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Georgia’s new Financial Institution Transaction Hold Authority is now in effect. Join Kevin Vaughn of the Georgia Department of Banking & Finance and GBA President & CEO Tripp Cofield for a discussion about what banks need to know to implement the new law.
Learn about key requirements, including training, policies and procedures, notifications, investigations, recordkeeping, trusted contacts and transaction holds. Attendees will also have an opportunity to ask questions and hear directly from the Department about implementation.
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Strengthen Lending Decisions at Two October Seminars
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Bankers can strengthen their credit analysis, loan structuring and documentation skills during two GBA seminars Oct. 7-8 at Middle Georgia State University’s Macon Campus. Both programs will be led by Shannon Fortson, executive vice president and chief credit officer at Vallant Bank, who brings more than 20 years of experience in commercial lending and credit risk management.
The Personal Cash Flow Analysis Seminar on Oct. 7 will help participants turn complex personal tax returns into meaningful lending insight. Through instruction and casework, attendees will learn to calculate sources and uses of personal cash flow, determine remaining cash flow available to support additional debt and assess the financial strength of guarantors. The program is designed for consumer lenders, commercial lenders, credit analysts and underwriters.
The Loan Structuring and Documentation for Loss Prevention Seminar on Oct. 8 will focus on effective techniques for reducing lending risk. Topics will include properly identifying borrowers and legal entities, verifying signing authority, evaluating collateral and clearly documenting loan terms, repayment expectations and the consequences of default. The seminar is ideal for commercial loan officers, loan assistants and closing specialists.
Both seminars will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Members may register for either program or attend both for two consecutive days of practical lending instruction.
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Earn CPE Credits at 2026 Compliance Conference
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Good news! The American Bankers Association (ABA) Professional Certifications has approved GBA's 2026 Compliance Conference for
12 CRCM, 6 CERP and 3 CAFP credits. Join your fellow Georgia bank compliance professionals for this annual conference Oct. 21-23 on St. Simons Island. Get practical insights on today's top compliance issues, exchange ideas with peers from across the state and return with solutions you can put to work right away, all while enjoying outstanding networking in a relaxed coastal setting. Here are some agenda highlights:
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- Fraud on All Fronts, featuring perspectives from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, banking security and Georgia’s Division of Aging Services
- Keeping Positive in Compliance Chaos, an interactive session focused on resilience and navigating the demands of compliance
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AI Tabletop Exercise: Putting AI to Work in Compliance, where participants will use AI to tackle real-world compliance scenarios
- Findings from Recent Reviews
- When Legal Meets Compliance, covering garnishments, subpoenas, POAs, estates, and secured transactions
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Roundtable Discussion, featuring attendee-submitted questions and hot topics
- Enforcement Actions and the practical lessons banks can take from recent regulatory actions.
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2026 GBA Credit Conference Will Be Here Before You Know It - Sign Up Today
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This conference, planned by the GBA Credit Committee, covers the full spectrum of market intelligence, credit trends, underwriting, risk management and business development topics essential for growing, thriving banks. The event provides participants the opportunity to network, share best practices and learn from nationally known experts in an away-from-the-bank environment to foster creativity and connections.
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Reminder: Registration Now Open for Marketing Peer Group Meeting Nov. 13
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Step away from the day-to-day and spend time with the people who get it. The GBA Marketing Peer Group brings bank marketers from across Georgia together for a day of candid conversation, idea sharing and practical problem-solving. No sales pitches. No one-size-fits-all presentations. Just bank marketers talking to bank marketers about what’s working, what’s not and what’s next.
Facilitated by Beth James, Vice President and Marketing Director at Queensborough National Bank & Trust Company, the meeting is entirely peer-driven. Submit your hot topics during registration and help shape the conversation around the challenges and opportunities that matter most to your bank. Come ready to share and leave with new ideas.
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GBA BankPAC Golf Classic
- Oct. 14 in Forsyth
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Inaugural GBA BankPAC Mahjong Mingle - Oct. 14 in Forsyth
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Enrollment Opens Next Week!
Georgia Banking School
April 25-30, 2027, UGA in Athens
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More Upcoming Events and Training Opportunities
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South Georgia Community Bank Symposium - Sept. 17, Valdosta State University
- Operations and Technology Peer Group - Sept. 22, University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education & Hotel, Athens
- Understanding Bank Performance Webinar Series - Oct. 1-23, Zoom
- President/CEO, Bank Accountant & Bank Counsel Conferences - Oct. 4-6, The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee
- New Account Documentation & Compliance Bootcamp - Oct. 14-15, Middle Georgia State University - Macon Campus
- Stablecoins and Tokenized Deposits Fundamentals - Nov. 3, GBA Webinar
- BSA Peer Group - Nov. 4, Virtual Meeting
- Financial Risk Management Conference - Nov. 5-6, Courtyard by Marriott Atlanta Decatur Downtown/Emory
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The BSA Summit - Jan. 11-14, Atlanta Evergreen Lakeside Resort
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ONLINE LEARNING – GREAT FOR FUNDAMENTALS TRAINING
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Artificial Intelligence in Banking, Opening New Accounts, Bank Accounting Boot Camp 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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AI Governance Basics for Board Members: A Practical Guide for Banks
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Effective AI oversight does not require a separate governance system. It requires clear ownership, a consistent approach to assessing risk and reporting that helps directors determine whether controls are working. A new whitepaper from GBA Strategic Partner Abrigo shows how to incorporate AI into the governance and risk management processes boards already use. It covers how to inventory AI use cases, prioritize potential harms, assign responsibilities, evaluate controls and establish reporting that can evolve as the technology changes. Download the whitepaper and visit www.abrigo.com for more helpful resources.
Also, be sure to check out these upcoming free webinars from Abrigo.
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ASSOCIATE MEMBER ENGAGE FI
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Back Into Focus: Where Banks Start in Revitalizing Revenue from Their Debit Program
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Debit network programs are no longer a set-it-and-forget-it revenue source for banks. Consumer behavior has shifted, with younger customers increasingly using debit for online purchases. At the same time, network fees, processing costs, ATM activity, routing and contract terms all affect a program’s bottom line. The good news is that many of the factors affecting debit program performance remain within a bank’s control. The first step is to bring the program back into focus. A recent article from GBA Associate Member Engage fi encourages banks to reassess their debit strategy periodically, especially if it has been more than five years since the last review. Read the full article and visit www.engagefi.com for more information.
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Fraud Warning Signs and How Heeding Them Prevents Larger Losses
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As fraud becomes more connected across cards, payments, cybersecurity and other channels, small warning signs can quickly point to a much larger threat. GBA Associate Member CSI recently shared an article that explores how banks can better recognize those early signs and what they should do to respond more effectively. Being prepared in advance with clear ownership, practiced response steps and timely information will give teams a better chance to stop one incident before it spreads across systems or payment channels and becomes a much larger issue to contain. Read the full article and visit www.csiweb.com for more information.
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Atlanta Market President Michael Leonard will retire Sept. 11 after 43 years in banking. Read more.
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Atlanta – Coastal States Bank
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Jason Dowdy has joined the bank as vice president, commercial real estate banker in its commercial real estate lending team.
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Bainbridge – First National Bank
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Anthony Cobb has joined the bank as a senior vice president and member of the senior management team.
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Columbus, OH – Huntington National Bank
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Huntington Bancshares Inc. named Brant Standridge president of the company and subsidiary Huntington National Bank. A former GBA board member, Standridge has been Huntington Bancshares' president of consumer and business banking since joining the company in April 2022.
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Mitchell Smith has joined the bank’s Lake Oconee team as a relationship manager after three years in the bank’s credit and underwriting department. Read more.
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| Daniel Simonton and Michael Miller
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Johns Creek – Loyal Trust Bank
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Daniel Simonton has joined the bank as AVP, business banker. Michael Miller has joined the bank team as SVP, senior portfolio manager.
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Macon – American Pride Bank
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Heather Wallace has joined the bank’s human resources team.
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Milledgeville – Century Bank and Trust
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Loan Operations Officer Amber English has been promoted to assistant vice president.
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Atlanta – Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta
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The bank is awarding $500,000 a year for the next three years to the GSU College of Law to establish the FHLBank Atlanta Heirs’ Property Law Clinic, a new initiative to train law students to provide pro bono legacy planning to low- to moderate-income property owners and support people dealing with heirs’ property issues. Read more in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (subscription required).
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Our sympathies to the family and friends of Charles Floyd Hatcher, who passed away Sept. 1. Hatcher served in the Georgia House of Representatives from 1973-1980 before serving six terms in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1981-1992, representing Georgia’s 2nd Congressional District. While a member of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, he supported issues important to Georgia’s agricultural economy and banking industry. Read more here.
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Blackshear - PrimeSouth Bank
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For Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, each bank branch is selling gold ribbons to help raise funds for local childhood cancer charities throughout September.
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Cairo - United National Bank
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The bank made a $5,000 donation to the Cairo High School Syrupmaker Band.
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For the sixth year, the bank is sponsoring Ramsey Education, helping bring financial education to students at nine high schools across its footprint.
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The bank is partnering with Griffin-Spalding Partners in Education to create opportunities for students across local schools. This year, the bank’s involvement includes Griffin High School and Spalding High School athletic programs, the Griffin Region College and Career Academy and Future Farmers of America, Leadership and Student of the Month breakfasts at Jordan Hill, Beaverbrook and Futral Road elementary schools, as well as field trips, scholarships and financial literacy education.
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Jasper - Community Bank of Pickens County
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The bank is sponsoring the Business of the Month Program with the Pickens County Chamber of Commerce. Good Samaritan Health & Wellness Center was named Business of the Month for September.
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| Monroe - Legacy State Bank
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The bank sponsored Swinging Medallions concert on Sept. 4 in Monroe.
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Perry - SunMark Community Bank
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The bank sponsored a meal for the staff and volunteers who helped make the Sept. 4 Perry High School football game a success.
For the month of August, the bank supported Team Robins Top 3 through its Casual Cause Initiative. Team Robins Top 3 is a nonprofit organization made up of Senior Noncommissioned Officers from Robins Air Force Base who are committed to developing leaders, mentoring Airmen, supporting military families and veterans and giving back to the Middle Georgia community.
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| The bank sponsored the Savannah RISE Job Palooza to support opportunities that bring job seekers and local employers together.
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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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