Appropriations Take Center Stage at Georgia General Assembly, Special Election Update
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The Georgia General Assembly wrapped up appropriations week on Thursday. This is the time when legislators focus on finalizing the state’s budget for the remainder of the current fiscal year and the upcoming fiscal year. For Georgia banks, appropriations decisions are important, as they determine funding levels for the Department of Banking & Finance, economic development initiatives and programs that support business growth across the state. It was an otherwise quiet week at the Capitol. With inclement weather expected over the weekend, the first meeting of the House Banks & Banking Committee has been rescheduled to Monday, Feb. 2, at 8 a.m.
In other news, a Feb. 17 runoff will be required in the special election to replace former state Senator John Kennedy in Senate District 18, after no candidate secured a majority of the vote on Tuesday. Democrat LeMario Brown will face Steven McNeel, a trial lawyer who narrowly edged out fellow Republicans Eric Wilson, former mayor of Forsyth, and former state Rep. Lauren Daniel.
Regular weekly Legislative Updates will resume next week when the General Assembly returns, pending weekend weather conditions.
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Majority of Georgia Credit Card Holders Would Lose Credit Access Under Proposed Card Rate Cap
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A new study conducted by the American Bankers Association finds a proposed federal 10% credit card interest rate cap would result in 76% to 87% of open credit card accounts in Georgia being closed or sharply limited. That would affect an estimated 4.4 to 5 million Georgians. The analysis is based on data from issuers representing roughly 75% of the national credit card market.
The study shows the impact would affect the full spectrum of cardholders, including those with strong credit histories. Between 72% and 85% of Georgia cardholders with credit scores above 600 would be affected, with many facing lower credit limits, higher fees, reduced rewards and fewer promotional offers.
The bill was introduced this week by Sens Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Bernie Sanders (D-VT) and has President Trump’s support. Read more about the impact in Georgia here.
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Last Call! GBA Legislative & Economic Forum and Reception
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There’s still time to join fellow bankers and state leaders for timely insights about Georgia’s economic and legislative environment, plus valuable networking with elected officials at the GBA Legislative & Economic Forum and Reception Jan. 28. The Legislative & Economic Forum will feature:
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Georgia’s economic outlook with Roger Tutterow
- Special guests Speaker of the House Jon Burns and Lieutenant Governor Candidate John Kennedy
- Banking and regulatory issues on the horizon
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Key legislative priorities affecting our industry.
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A big thank you to our event sponsors:
- Platinum Sponsors: Burke Stelling Group, FHLBank Atlanta, Olsen Palmer
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Silver Sponsors: Centrant Community Capital; CRS Data; EBS Strategies; McNair, McLemore, Middlebrooks & Co.; Point To Point Environmental; and ServisFirst Bank.
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Checkout.com Approved for Limited Purpose Bank Charter
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Checkout.com, a global digital payments provider, has received approval from the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance for a Merchant Acquirer Limited Purpose Bank (MALPB) charter, marking a significant step in its U.S. expansion. Checkout.com processed more than $300 billion in global e-commerce volume last year. The MALPB charter, originally introduced in 2012, allows Checkout.com to become a direct member of Visa and Mastercard networks, bypassing the need for a sponsoring bank, known as a BIN sponsor, to process payments. It’s important to note that the MALPB charter is narrowly focused on merchant acquiring and excludes deposit-taking or lending activities. The company plans to establish a strategic banking hub in Atlanta and anticipates beginning operations under the charter later this year. Read more here.
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CDFI Fund Allocated $324 Million in FY 2026
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Lawmakers have agreed to allocate $324 million for the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund in fiscal year 2026, maintaining current funding levels, according to a Senate Appropriations Committee conference report released this week. The funding matches the Senate’s proposal from last year and exceeds both the White House budget request and the House recommendation. The agreement follows a recent Treasury Department directive requiring changes to the New Markets Tax Credit program to comply with federal anti-discrimination laws, along with increased monitoring of award recipients. The CDFI Coalition also noted that just $35 million of the $325 million appropriated for fiscal 2026 has been released, with those funds set to expire Sept. 30.
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Study Links FHLBank Advances to Higher Lending After Financial Crisis
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Federal Home Loan Bank advances are strongly associated with higher lending across banks and credit unions, according to new research from the Urban Institute. Analyzing data from 2000 to 2024, researchers found that increases in advances corresponded to higher overall lending, with a $100 increase in advances relative to assets linked to $38 more in bank loans — rising to $48 after 2008. Housing-related lending showed the strongest response, driving an estimated $35.2 billion to $45.6 billion in additional annual residential real estate lending. Advances were also consistently tied to increased small-business, agricultural and community development lending, though at more modest levels than housing.
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GBA Retirement Services Welcomes New Member
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GBA Retirement Services, Inc. is excited to welcome to the GBA Master 401(k) Trust: First City Bank, in organization, Alpharetta, Bob Koncerak, CEO designate. We enjoyed meeting with employees from the bank this week as we prepare for them to join our program next month. We look forward to providing outstanding service for these plan participants in the years to come.
Some of the advantages of being part of the GBA Master Trust include:
- GBA’s dedicated staff support as a primary resource and oversight of service providers
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American Trust Company as an investment manager and discretionary Trustee
- Reduced fees with high-quality service providers
- Ongoing investment education and retirement planning sessions for employees
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Personalized Managed Account Solution geared to each participant’s needs through the Unified Plan at no additional cost for participants
- Added value: Your bank’s business customers are eligible to participate through referral from you as an add on service.
We would love to do a plan review and show you why all of our members are pleased with the service and performance provided by GBA Retirement Services! Contact Mandy Richards at 678.549.4167 for more information about how GBA Retirement Services can help design or improve your retirement plan.
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Invest in Future Leaders Through GBA’s 2026 Flagship Schools
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Developing the next generation of banking leaders remains one of the most important investments a bank can make. As banks plan for 2026, GBA is encouraging member institutions to ensure their teams are represented at the 2026 Georgia Banking School and/or 2026 GBA Compliance School, set for April 26 - May 1 at University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education & Hotel in Athens.
These flagship programs bring bankers from across Georgia together for a week of intensive learning, collaboration and professional growth, equipping participants with the skills and perspective needed to strengthen their institutions and advance Georgia’s banking industry.
Banks that have not participated recently, as well as those new to GBA schools, are encouraged to identify high-potential employees and support their enrollment for 2026.
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- Georgia Banking School
Designed for emerging and experienced bankers alike, Georgia Banking School offers a comprehensive curriculum focused on leadership development, financial management and strategic thinking.
(First-year students who enroll by Friday, Feb. 27, will receive $100 off tuition!)
Learn more and enroll.
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| - GBA Compliance School
GBA Compliance School provides in-depth regulatory education and practical guidance to help compliance professionals navigate an increasingly complex environment. Year 1, Year 2 and an alumni-only ACE Track are available.
Learn more and enroll.
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HR Professionals Institute and Marketing Conference Closing Session Spotlight
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March 25-27, The DeSoto, Savannah
As the HR Professionals Institute and Marketing Conference come together in a unique, concurrent experience, attendees will close out the event with a powerful, unifying leadership session from Brandon Smith—one designed to resonate across disciplines, roles and responsibilities.
In his closing keynote, “Author vs. Editor Dilemma: The Leadership Secret,” Smith introduces a transformative leadership framework from his book Author vs. Editor that challenges how leaders think, work, and lead. At the heart of the message is a simple but profound shift: moving from “Editor mode,” where leaders constantly fix, react and firefight, to “Author mode,” where leaders create clarity, ownership and direction.
This session speaks directly to the realities HR and marketing professionals face every day:
overloaded calendars, reactive workflows, unclear priorities, stretched teams and leaders who feel pulled into everything instead of empowered to lead strategically.
HR Professionals Institute details and registration here
Marketing Conference details and registration here
Learn more about Brandon’s book here.
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Join the Growing Crowd for IRA Training Feb. 3-5
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Your roadmap to IRA mastery is here! The GBA IRA Academy set for Feb. 3-5 at Middle Georgia State University in Macon 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.
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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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Save the Date!
GBA 2026 Leadership Conference
July 13-15
Omni Amelia Island, FL
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| More Events and Training Opportunities Coming up
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Call Report Seminar - Feb. 3, Middle Georgia State University, Macon
- Business Cash Flow Analysis Seminar - North - Feb. 24, Cherokee Conference Center at The Bluffs, Canton
Operations and Technology Conference - Feb. 25-27, The DeSoto, Savannah
- Breaking into Banking 101: Fundamentals of Commercial Lending - Feb. 25, Zoom Webinar
Business Cash Flow Analysis Seminar - South - March 12, Georgia Chamber of Commerce Center for Rural Prosperity, Tifton
Breaking into Banking 201: Analyzing Repayment Sources - March 25, Zoom Webinar
- Bank Security Conference - April 13-15, The Westin Jekyll Island
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ONLINE LEARNING – GREAT FOR FUNDAMENTALS TRAINING
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ACH Basics, Secrets of Being a Great Call Center Agent 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:
Self-paced courses and reference guides:
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PARTNERS, PRODUCTS & ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
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2026 Banking Benefits & HR Policies Survey Now Open
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In partnership with Pearl Meyer, we are pleased to announce that the 2026 Banking Benefits and Human Resources Policies Survey questionnaire is available now. If you have not received a participation email, please contact Rhonda Snyder at rhonda.snyder@pearlmeyer.com. This survey covers the following topics:
- PTO programs, vacation, sick days, holidays, etc.
- Health (medical, dental, vision) and wellness plans
- Flexible spending accounts
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Short and long-term disability benefits
- Life insurance
- Retirement plans (401(k), ESOP, defined benefit plans, etc.)
- Work-life benefits
- Retiree benefits
- Payroll and organization costs
- Work from home practices.
Also, as in prior years, the survey will include a designated section to collect and report information on “Bank Executive” Benefits and Perquisites. Please note: Only participants who complete the Bank Executive Benefits & Perquisites Section will have access to this portion of the survey report.
To make your survey submission process easier, those who participated in the 2024 Banking Benefits and Human Resources Policies Survey will be provided access to a printable version of their 2024 survey responses.
Key Dates and Pricing:
- Survey Effective Date: Jan. 1, 2026
- Submission Due Date: March 6, 2026
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Survey Results Published: Week of May 11, 2026
- $750 for participants.
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Abrigo Adds Real-Time ACH Fraud Detection to its Financial Crimes Suite
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GBA Endorses ServisFirst Bank’s Agent Credit Card Program
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GBA is proud to endorse the agent credit card program provided by ServisFirst Bank. Through the program, banks can offer custom-branded credit cards to its customers featuring its own logo. GBA members benefit from ongoing non-interest income and unmatched service and support from ServisFirst. Two programs are available for both consumer and commercial cards. Commercial purchase cards (P-Cards) are also available. ServisFirst’s program is simple and includes card marketing and portfolio management services at no cost. To get more details about the ServisFirst Bank agent card program, contact ServisFirst’s Tim Finney, tfinney@servisfirstbank.com, 478.952.6497.
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Why Choose Compliance Alliance in 2026?
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Compliance Hub Features:
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Comprehensive Compliance Tools – Access 1,800+ downloadable, editable tools covering regulations across all bank functions.
- Expert Guidance On Demand – Document reviews plus a live compliance hotline via chat, email or phone.
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Training & Education – 70+ new training videos annually, live webinars with reference manuals and role-specific resources. Webinars can be used annually to meet CRCM continuing education requirements for all employees.
- Always Up to Date – Daily regulatory news, weekly newsletters, FAQs, easy-to-read summaries and a monthly magazine.
- Built-In Convenience – Regulatory calendar, compliance minutes and segmented tools to streamline oversight and exams.
- Bank-Wide Coverage – Support for every department, from tellers to executive leadership and the boardroom.
Learn more here.
Sign up for a free demo and 48-hour trial:
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Molly Walker has joined the bank as the executive vice president and managing director of enterprise development and technology.
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Blairsville - River City Bank
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Logan Dyer has been promoted to assistant branch manager at the bank’s Blairsville office.
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Ashley Cobb and Dawn Grimsley
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Greensboro - The Farmers Bank
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Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer Aaron O'Tuel has been appointed to the bank’s board of directors. Ashley Cobb was promoted to vice president, compliance officer, BSA officer and internal auditor. Dawn Grimsley was promoted to vice president, loan operations manager.
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| Locust Grove - Bank of Dudley
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Jason Montrois has joined the bank’s Locust Grove team as market leader.
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Milledgeville / Wrightsville - Century Bank and Trust / Bank of Wrightsville
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Century Bank and Trust officially completed its acquisition of Bank of Wrightsville, which will now operate as Bank of Wrightsville, a division of Century Bank and Trust. Read more.
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Shaunna Davis and Skip Richmond
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Pine Mountain - First Peoples Bank
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Shaunna Davis has been promoted to executive vice president, chief risk officer. Skip Richmond has been promoted to vice president, information technology and security officer.
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Cordele - Planters First Bank
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The bank recently donated a refrigerator to the Senior Citizen Center in Cordele.
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| On Jan. 15, Matthew Weigel spoke with Laurens Youth Leadership students about credit, budgeting and loans.
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Dublin - SunMark Community Bank
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The bank sponsored the Dublin-Laurens County Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours event.
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| The bank hosted the Greene County Chamber of Commerce Youth Leadership Greene to its facility for a behind-the-scenes tour with Market President Jim Strickland.
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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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