We look forward to hosting our members at this month's GBA events!
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ASSET/LIABILITY MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS
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Financial Risk Management Conference - Nov. 6-7,
The DeSoto, Savannah
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There's still time to join the robust 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!
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A huge thank you to our sponsors!
- Platinum Sponsor: Profit Resources, Inc.
- Gold Sponsor: Ncontracts
- Silver Sponsors: Baker Tilly; BOK Financial; Carr, Riggs & Ingram; FHLBank Atlanta; FHN Financial; ServisFirst Bank; and Wiplfi.
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Rhonda Norris and David Attaway
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Internal Audit Peer Group Meeting - Nov. 18, Idle Hour Golf & Country Club, Macon
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Sign up today for GBA’s next Internal Audit Peer Group Meeting, our forum designed exclusively for bank internal auditors. The upcoming program will include an 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.
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BSA Peer Group Meeting - Nov. 4, Virtual
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Don’t miss GBA's next BSA Peer Group Meeting, set for Tuesday, Nov. 4, from 10 a.m. to noon on Zoom. This virtual session will focus on one of the most complex emerging issues in compliance: cryptocurrency and digital assets.
GBA’s BSA Summit facilitator Kristen Stogniew will lead the discussion, featuring Becky Reed with an overview of the digital and stablecoin market and Lauren Smith of Chainalysis on identifying irregular transactions and combating crypto-related financial crimes.
Designed for BSA officers, compliance professionals and risk managers, the meeting offers practical insights and peer-driven discussion all from the convenience of your desk.
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The BSA Summit - Jan. 12-15, Lanier Islands Resort, Buford
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Are you ready to elevate your BSA/AML/CFT and OFAC compliance programs? Enroll today in 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.
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GBA Compliance School - April 26 - May 1, 2026, UGA Center for Continuing Education & Hotel, Athens
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Planned by the GBA Compliance School Board, 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:
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Year 1 – Building the Base: Learn the fundamentals of compliance and strengthen your bank’s compliance foundation across all departments.
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Year 2 – Applying the Knowledge: Take a deeper dive into practical applications for lending, deposit, and operational regulations while advancing your proactive compliance strategies.
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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.
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Banking Foundations - Virtual Training
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If you have team members who are new to banking or just entering the workforce, we have 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
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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.
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LENDING, CREDIT AND UNDERWRITING PROGRAMS
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Credit Conference - Dec. 4-5, University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education & Hotel, Athens
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Planned by the GBA Credit Committee, the 2025 GBA Credit Conference 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
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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
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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.
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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.
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Succession Planning Online Workshop Series - Nov. 3 and 17, Virtual
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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.
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Legislative and Economic Forum & Reception - Jan. 28, The Ritz Carlton, Downtown Atlanta
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Registration is now open for GBA’s next Legislative and Economic Forum and Reception. This annual event is hosted by the GBA Board of Directors, Public Affairs Committee and BankPAC Board. The three-hour afternoon Forum features legislative updates, economic news and conversations with key legislative leaders. The Forum is followed by our annual Legislative Reception honoring members of the General Assembly, Constitutional Officers, statewide Judiciary and other dignitaries. Any member bankers, Associate Members or Bank Counsel Section members with management, finance, business development or government relations-related responsibilities or interests are invited and encouraged to attend.
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Registration options include Forum & Reception; Forum Only; and Reception Only.
Thank you to these Associate Members that are showing their support of the event through sponsorship:
- Platinum Sponsor: Olsen Palmer
- Silver Sponsors: CRS Data; EBS Strategies; McNair, McLemore, Middlebrooks & Co.; Point To Point Environmental; and ServisFirst Bank.
With questions, contact GBA's Kathy Friestad.
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Georgia Banking School - April 26 - May 1, University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education, Athens
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Secure your spot today 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.
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Marketing Peer Group Meeting - Dec. 9, Methodist Home for Children & Youth, Macon
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Join the growing group of bank marketing pros at GBA’s next 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.
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OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS
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Operations and Technology Conference - Feb. 25-27,
The DeSoto, Savannah
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Join Georgia bank IT and operations professionals in Savannah for the next GBA Operations & Technology Conference. This annual event is hosted by GBA’s Operations & Technology Committee under the leadership of Chair, Sam Drennen, First American Bank & Trust Company, Athens. and vice chair, Kristy Harrell, First National Bank, Bainbridge
Sessions will include:
- Conference Keynote Speaker – Dr. Melissa Furman, MS, DBA, President & Founder, Career Potential, LLC
- Project Management, Change Management and Employee Change Management – Brett Rawls, PRI
- Protecting Banks and Their Customers from Telecom Focused Threats – Scott Helms, Momentum
- Next Steps in the M365 AI Chain – Eric Delgado, SafeSystems
- Fraud Trends & Best Practices
- Leadership and Workforce Development – John Brantley, The Auxin Leader
- Roundtable Discussion.
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IRA Academy - Feb. 3-5, Middle Georgia State University, Macon
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Webinars from National Experts on OnCourse Learning
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Facilitated Online Courses
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Self-Paced Online Courses
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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.
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Business Banking & Commercial Lending
- Compliance & Risk Management
- Mortgage Lending
- Retail Banking & Marketing
- Wealth Management & Trust
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Executive Education
See all available certificates here. (click "member" status)
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