Important Updates in This Issue:
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DBF Housekeeping, Securities Oversight Bills Move out of Committee
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The Georgia General Assembly completed day 13 of the 40-day 2026 legislative session Thursday. The House Banks and Banking Committee debated and advanced two significant pieces of legislation for consideration by the full House during hearings this week. On Tuesday the committee covered the Banking Department’s Housekeeping Bill, HB 945, by Rep. Bruce Williamson (R-Monroe), and a Thursday hearing focused on HB 934 by Rep. Noel Williams (R-Cordele), which would transfer regulation of securities and commodities from the Secretary of State to the Department of Banking and Finance. We’ll share details about those hearings and wrap up our reporting of this week’s action Friday in the weekly GBA Legislative Update, but for readers who want to get a jump on the goings on in the legislature, you can visit our State Issues page.
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Bipartisan SCAM Act Targets Fraudulent Online Ads
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GBA supports bipartisan legislation introduced this week by U.S. Sens. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) and Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), aimed at cracking down on fraudulent and deceptive advertising on social media and other online platforms. The Safeguarding Consumers from Advertising Misconduct (SCAM) Act would require online companies to take stronger steps to prevent scam ads and give users better tools to report fraud. The bill also strengthens enforcement authority for the Federal Trade Commission and states to hold bad actors accountable. Read the bill here.
Related: 3 in 4 consumers say their bank does more than other industries to protect them from scams.
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Status of Important Cases for February 2026
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The latest ABA Newsbytes Banking Docket is now available. Read about the status of important cases here. Each article contains a “Read more” link with access to additional details on the issues, case summaries and links to related documents.
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Volunteer with GBA and Make a Difference
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More than 300 members serve on one of GBA's 24 committees or boards and shape industry policy priorities, educational programs and other resources provided by GBA. If you or a banker you know would be a good fit to carry on that tradition, now’s the time for committee volunteer nominations.
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Why volunteer? Gain valuable experience, network with peers and give back to the community. Volunteer opportunities offer much more than they ask.
- When? We're seeking volunteers for the 2026-27 program year starting in July.
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What Are My Options? Explore opportunities here.
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How to Volunteer/Nominate Someone: Complete and submit the volunteer/nomination form online here or download a PDF version.
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Deadline: Volunteer by Friday, April 3.
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Contact David Oliver with questions or to request a connection with a current committee/board member. Here's what two committee members had to say about their experience:
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Wade Johnson, CEO
Durden Banking Company, Twin City
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"My involvement with GBA started around 20 years ago – starting with serving on the Leadership GBA Board to chairing the Credit Committee to now serving on the Board of Directors. The experience and knowledge gained have supported my career and made me a better community banker. It has allowed me to get more involved with fellow bankers across the state and brainstorm on issues at hand in our industry. It is rewarding and fun to be part of group that plans a conference with the goal of delivering relevant information that fellow bankers want and need."
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Dana White, COO
AB&T, Albany
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"I originally volunteered for the GBA Operations/Technology Committee because our president at the time encouraged me to get involved. I have stayed on the committee because of the relationships I have built and the impact I feel we’re making within our industry. Our group is engaged, welcoming and incredibly talented. I walk away from every meeting with fresh ideas that can help enhance our processes, especially as we grow. It is a blessing and an honor to be a part of this wonderful community of bankers."
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Scenes from the Georgia BankPAC Sporting Clays Tournament Thursday in Sparta
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Georgia Banking School Faculty Prepare for 2026 Session
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Planning is well underway for the 2026 Georgia Banking School as more than 50 faculty members participated in a faculty prep call earlier this week, setting the stage for another strong session. The meeting focused on curriculum alignment and expectations, reinforcing the school’s commitment to practical, relevant instruction. Faculty members bring deep industry and academic experience, helping ensure students gain the technical, strategic and leadership skills needed in today’s banking environment.
The 2026 session will be April 26 – May 1 at the University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education in Athens. Since 1961, Georgia Banking School has prepared thousands of bankers to lead across their institutions. First-year students should note the early enrollment deadline of Feb. 27, with discounted tuition offered through that date.
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IRA Academy Recap: The Roadmap to IRA Mastery
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This week, banking professionals from across Georgia participated in the GBA IRA Academy, a flexible, workshop-style program designed to bring clarity and confidence to today’s evolving IRA landscape. With ongoing regulatory and compliance changes, the academy delivered practical guidance participants can immediately apply in their roles.
The three stand-alone training days led by Loni Porta, Director of Education, Convergent Retirement Plan Solutions allowed attendees to customize their learning experience. Day 1 focused on IRA fundamentals, including Traditional and Roth IRAs, contribution and distribution rules, and transfers and rollovers. Day 2 explored advanced IRA topics such as inherited IRAs, trust beneficiaries, conversions and Qualified Charitable Distributions. Day 3 addressed operations, administration and reporting, with an emphasis on compliance, accuracy and error correction.
Through real-world scenarios, form reviews and interactive discussion, the IRA Academy equipped participants with a clear roadmap to effectively administer and support IRAs in today’s complex regulatory environment.
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Spotlight on New GBA Associate Members
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Over the next few weeks, we want to give a warm welcome to several new GBA Associate Members that we onboarded last quarter. They all offer diverse solutions for your bank and provide invaluable support to GBA programs through sponsorships, exhibits and shared expertise. Be sure to get to know these folks and thank them for supporting GBA. You can get information about any of GBA's Associate Members by using the Associate Member search function on our website. This week, we want to highlight the following:
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A1 Air and Sea Recovery
Mr. Thomas White, twwhitebonding@gmail.com
Carrollton, GA
www.a1airandsearecovery.com/asset-recovery
A1 Air & Sea Recovery brings decades of specialized experience in asset recovery and legal procedures. Founded by individuals with deep law-enforcement and bail-bonding backgrounds, the firm excels at locating and legally recovering high-value assets. Known for accessibility and fast response, A1 integrates investigation, legal coordination, and recovery execution into a seamless, compliant process that delivers dependable results.
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Baker Tilly
Mr. Joe Donnelly, joe.donnelly@bakertilly.com
Chicago, IL
www.bakertilly.com
Baker Tilly is a leading advisory, tax, and assurance firm, providing clients with a genuine advantage in major U.S. regions and key global financial centers. The firm leads with purpose and is committed to walking alongside clients every step of the way, offering strategic guidance and support tailored to their evolving needs.
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| Berman Fink Van Horn P.C.
Mr. Charles Van Horn, cvanhorn@bfvlaw.com
Atlanta, GA
www.bfvlaw.com
Berman Fink Van Horn provides creative and collaborative solutions to legal matters affecting businesses at every stage, from inception to exit. Whatever the legal issue, the firm’s team works to protect and grow each client’s business as if it were its own.
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Full Agendas Now Available: HR Professionals Institute & Marketing Conference, March 25-27 at The DeSoto Savannah
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The full agendas are now available for the 2026 HR Professionals Institute and the Marketing Conference & Customer Insights Workshop. These programs will run concurrently, creating a dynamic learning environment where HR and marketing professionals can dive deep into role-specific content while also coming together for shared sessions focused on leadership, culture and advocacy.
HR Professionals Institute
This year’s agenda features standout sessions on talent development, retention, employment law, leadership and workplace culture. Attendees will also benefit from peer exchange discussions and meaningful networking throughout the program. Click here to see the full agenda. Thank you to our sponsors! Platinum Sponsors: First Stop Health and LemonadeLXP. Silver Sponsor: Troutman, Pepper, Locke.
Marketing Conference & Customer Insights Workshop
The Marketing Conference kicks off with a powerful Customer Insights and Focus Group Workshop, giving attendees direct access to customer perspectives moderated by industry experts. The traditional conference that follows covers the strategies marketers need now—from social media and creativity to AI-powered board reporting and peer-driven idea sharing. Click here to see the full agenda.
Shared Experiences, Stronger Connections
Both conferences will come together for select general sessions, advocacy updates and a networking reception—creating opportunities to align internal culture with external messaging and strengthen cross-functional collaboration within your bank.
With robust agendas, expert speakers, and Savannah as the backdrop, these conferences offer learning experiences you don’t want to miss.
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ATTENTION NORTH GEORGIA BANKERS!
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Business Cash Flow Analysis Seminar in Canton Less Than Three Weeks Away
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The north Georgia session of the GBA Business Cash Flow Analysis Seminar is coming up Feb. 24. Area bankers can join their peers at Cherokee Conference Center at The Bluffs in Canton to boost their lending confidence with this hands-on seminar designed to sharpen cash flow analysis skills and enhance lending performance. Led by Peter Faser, business strategy advisor with The Profitability Coach and chairman of the Georgia Banking School Board of Directors, this full-day program provides practical tools to assess business repayment capacity and make more confident credit decisions.
Through a mix of lecture and interactive casework, attendees will learn how to:
- Identify key financial trends and cash flow drivers
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Analyze operating cycles and business performance
- Apply a four-step process to evaluate loan requests effectively.
Whether you’re a small business lender, commercial lender, or credit analyst, you’ll leave with actionable insights to strengthen your underwriting and credit analysis.
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Enroll Today to Level Up in Your
Bank Compliance Career!
GBA Compliance School
April 26 - May 1
UGA, Athens
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| More Events and Training Opportunities Coming up
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ONLINE LEARNING – GREAT FOR FUNDAMENTALS TRAINING
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Signature Cards, Commercial Real Estate Appraisals, Flood Insurance 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, certificates and reference guides:
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Prepare with Confidence for the CRCM Exam
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Bankers planning to sit for the Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager (CRCM) exam can strengthen their preparation through the CRCM Exam Online Prep Course, designed to align closely with the actual exam’s knowledge domains and tasks.
Available to GBA members for $895, the self-paced course includes audio and video lessons, readings, practice exams and access to an expert instructor through an interactive discussion board. Built-in self-assessment tools, confidence meters and a countdown tracker help participants focus their study time and stay on schedule.
The course allows learners to apply compliance knowledge through exam-aligned scenarios, test understanding of key regulatory topics and prepare with sample exam questions. ABA also recommends the Reference Guide to Regulatory Compliance as a complementary study and on-the-job resource. Learn more and enroll.
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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
- Survey Results Published: Week of May 11, 2026
- $750 for participants.
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STRATEGIC PARTNER INTRAFI
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Webinar Feb. 11 at 10 a.m. – Strengthen Your Balance Sheet with GBA-Endorsed IntraFi Services
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Join GBA Strategic Partner IntraFi on Feb. 11 at 10 a.m. to learn how banks can use IntraFi solutions to manage large deposits, enhance liquidity and strengthen customer relationships. As competition for deposits intensifies, financial institutions need strategies that protect balances while supporting growth and profitability.
This session will highlight how IntraFi services, including ICS and CDARS, provide expanded FDIC insurance across network banks and help institutions retain high-value clients. Attendees will gain practical insights into balance sheet optimization, liquidity management and deposit strategy, along with time for questions and discussion.
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STRATEGIC PARTNER NCONTRACTS
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Webinar Feb. 17 at 2 p.m. – Fourth- and Nth-Party Risk Management: Extending Vendor Oversight
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Third-party risk management doesn’t stop with your vendors. Fourth- and nth-party relationships — subcontractors, cloud providers, data processors, and other downstream partners — can introduce operational, cybersecurity, and compliance risk into your bank.
What’s the best way to manage these vendor relationships? How deep should oversight go? What’s realistic? Find out in this practical webinar on fourth-party risk management. Learn how downstream risk fits into an effective third-party risk management (TPRM) program and how to build reasonable, scalable oversight when you don’t own a vendor relationship. Topics to be covered include:
- Examples of downstream vendor risk that require your attention
- How fourth-party risk fits into third-party risk management
- When visibility is enough and when deeper review is warranted
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Practical approaches to documentation, contracts, and monitoring.
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ASSOCIATE MEMBER DOLPHIN DEBIT ACCESS
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How to Protect Your ATM Fleet from "Man-in-the-Middle" Attacks
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Unfortunately, ATM crime continues to grow across the country, and it’s no longer just a matter of brute force. While physical attacks such as "ram-raids" and robberies of cash-in-transit (CIT) personnel remain a concern, the threat landscape has shifted toward more sophisticated, less bombastic crimes.
In 2024, the cyber investigative division of the U.S. Secret Service issued a memo warning of increased jackpotting activity, including man-in-the-middle (MITM) and black-box techniques observed in more than a dozen states. According to the ATM Industry Association (ATMIA), jackpotting/cash-out attacks were the most common type of ATM crime in the U.S. in 2025, accounting for 74% of all criminal activity.
Physical security remains vital, but banks need to be prepared and know how to defend themselves against MITM attacks. Read more from Associate Member Dolphin Debit Access here.
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Compliance Alliance Question of the Week
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Question: Now that President Trump has issued an Executive Order to reclassify marijuana from being a schedule 1 drug, what actually changes for banks?
Answer: Well, not so fast! While recent headlines may suggest that marijuana has been (or imminently will be) reclassified under federal law, it’s important to point out that no rescheduling has actually yet occurred; marijuana remains a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) today.
Executive Order 14370 does not, in and of itself, reschedule marijuana. Instead, it directs the Attorney General to “take all necessary steps to complete the rulemaking process.” This is another important distinction to highlight: under the CSA, rescheduling is a formal rulemaking process, not something that can be accomplished by Executive Order alone. That process involves several required steps. Read more here.
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Cleveland - Apex Banking Company of Georgia
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The bank announced the following staff promotions:
- Delbra Carswell has been promoted to banking officer
- Allen Mills has been promoted to assistant vice president
- Jenny Aguilar has been promoted to vice president
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Carder Peck has been promoted to vice president.
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Calhoun - North Georgia National Bank, a Division of Millennium Bank
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Elke Carter has joined the bank’s main office in Calhoun as a relationship banker.
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Locust Grove - Bank of Dudley
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The bank celebrated the grand opening of its Locust Grove branch at 3992 Hwy 42. The event included a donation from the bank to local nonprofit Caring for a Cause.
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Mandy White has been promoted to vice president and loan operations manager. Read more.
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| Melissa Harman and Courtney O'Hara
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Pine Mountain - First Peoples Bank
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Melissa Harman has been promoted to assistant vice president and branch manager. Courtney O’Hara has been promoted to banking officer and branch manager.
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Sylvester - Planters & Citizens Bank
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The bank celebrated the grand opening of its new Sylvester branch at 620 E. Franklin Street.
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| Waycross - PrimeSouth Bank
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Randy Teston has joined the bank’s board of directors.
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Watkinsville - Oconee State Bank
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The bank announced the following staff promotions and milestones:
- Angela Drury has been promoted from loan manager to vice president of mortgage operations
- Jason Moore has been promoted to senior vice president, senior credit officer
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Phillip Jackson has been promoted to vice president, manager of credit analysis
- Rebekah Hammond has been promoted to first vice president, retail operations
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Becca Crowe has been promoted to bank officer, retail operations
- Casey Bradshaw has been promoted to bank officer, digital solutions center manager
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Alan Brown and Sandi Haley both celebrated 30 years of service to the bank in January.
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| Atlanta - Georgia Banking Company
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The bank’s Treasury Solutions volunteered at the Atlanta Community Food Bank. They helped assemble 90,000 pounds of food, creating 75,000 meals for seniors across 29 counties. The bank also made a donation to the food bank.
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Hawkinsville - Planters First Bank
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Bank team members spent time reading to students at Children's World Learning Center during Read Across Georgia Week through their involvement with the Kiwanis Club of Hawkinsville-Pulaski County.
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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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