Philip and Bronwyn Williams at the U.S. Capitol
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Georgia Bankers Represent at ABA Summer Leadership Meeting
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GBA Chairman Philip Williams, executive vice president and Georgia banking president of The Claxton Bank, and GBA president and CEO Tripp Cofield represented Georgia at the 2025 ABA Summer Leadership Meeting, held July 21-23 in Washington, D.C. The meeting brought together state association leadership, the ABA Board of Directors, ABA committee and council chairs, and ABA staff to discuss national policy issues and shared priorities for the year ahead. Attendees heard from financial policy and regulatory leaders, including Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman, Acting Director of the FDIC Travis Hill, and House Financial Services Committee Chairman French Hill (R-AR), to name a few. The group received updates on a variety of topics, including the ongoing efforts to combat fraud, the policy landscape surrounding stablecoin, and legislative and regulatory priorities for Congress and the Trump Administration. State association leadership also engaged in roundtable discussions focused on key operational and advocacy goals for 2025.
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Federal Agencies Seek Banker Feedback on Regulatory Burden
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The federal bank regulatory agencies have issued their fourth request for public comment as part of the ongoing review under the Economic Growth and Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act (EGRPRA). This latest phase invites input on three key categories: Banking Operations, Capital and the Community Reinvestment Act.
This effort is part of a broader initiative to identify and eliminate outdated, unnecessary or overly burdensome regulations that affect federally supervised financial institutions. By law, the agencies must review their rules at least once every 10 years. The comment period will remain open for 90 days following publication in the Federal Register.
In addition to written comments, the agencies also plan to host public outreach meetings to give stakeholders an opportunity to directly share their views on regulatory requirements. Dates and locations will be announced once finalized.
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Judge Benjamin Land Appointed to Georgia Supreme Court
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Governor Brian Kemp has appointed Judge Benjamin Land to the Georgia Supreme Court, filling a vacancy on the state’s highest court. Land’s appointment creates an open seat on the appellate court. He will stand for election of a full term on the Supreme Court in May. A lifelong Columbus resident, Land brings extensive experience as a former litigator, superior court judge and member of the Georgia Court of Appeals. Kemp praised Land for his integrity, work ethic and commitment to fairness. Before becoming a judge, Land spent over two decades in private practice handling complex civil litigation.
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2025 Georgia BankPAC Update
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GBA's 2025 BankPAC campaign is in full swing. Contribution forms along with all BankPAC information may be accessed on the advocacy page of gabankers.com with instructions and options for making these contributions. As a reminder, state-chartered banks or national bank holding companies may contribute to the StatePAC, while eligible individuals may do so to the FedPAC. If you have questions, contact Elizabeth Chandler at 404.372.7893 or Bo Brannen at 404.731.9886.
Contributing to the GBA StatePAC recently are the following banks:
- Oconee State Bank, Watkinsville, Neil Stevens, president & CEO
- The Citizens Bank of Americus, Rick Whaley, president & CEO.
And, contributing recently to the GBA FedPAC are eligible employees, officers and directors of the following banks:
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Altamaha Bank & Trust, Vidalia, Brent Sammons, president & CEO
- Ameris Bank, Atlanta, Palmer Proctor, CEO
- Bank of Hazlehurst, Butch Kirkley, president & CEO
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Planters First Bank, Cordele, Eli Tinsley, president & CEO
- The Citizens Bank of Americus, Rick Whaley, president & CEO
- United Bank, Griffin, Jim Edwards, CEO.
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Get Ready for Georgia Peanut Bank Week – Order by Aug. 29!
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Mark your calendars! The 49th-annual Georgia Peanut Bank Week is set for Oct. 20-24, and this year’s theme, “Peanuts and Pennies: Growing Georgia Together,” celebrates the collaboration of banking and agriculture. Hosted by the GBA and Georgia Peanut Commission, this yearly tradition gives banks a chance to showcase their peanut pride and connect with customers through fun, free materials, including promotional packs of Red Bag Peanuts. Please place your order by Aug. 29 to receive your supplies in time. Questions? Contact Maddie Frost at maddie@gapeanuts.com or 229.386.3470.
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Counterfeit First State Bank Checks Detected
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We’re asking members to be alert that altered cashier’s checks drawn on First State Bank are being circulated. The bank reports that at least two such items have been deposited, likely via mobile deposit, at Truist and JPMorgan Chase. Both checks bear the same number and show signs of having the printed security information carefully removed. The font used on the counterfeits is also noticeably smaller than on legitimate checks. If your institution receives a suspicious check drawn on First State Bank, please contact the bank’s operations team at operations@firstate.net.
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New Guide Helps Nonprofits Build Strong Partnerships with Banks
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A new resource is now available to help nonprofit organizations connect with banks to better serve their communities. "The Power of Collaboration: A Guide for Nonprofits to Partner with Banks" offers practical guidance on how to initiate, grow and sustain meaningful relationships with financial institutions.
Developed by the ABA Foundation, the guide outlines best practices for approaching banks, setting shared goals and building long-term partnerships that align with community development efforts. It also provides context on how banks operate and are regulated, including information about Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) obligations.
Additional features include:
- A glossary of key financial terms
- Links to resources about Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs)
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Information on nonprofit financial management
- Contact details for state bankers associations.
The guide is available at no cost to all nonprofits. Download it here.
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How Karlene Gordon Leads with Courage and Connection
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Karlene Gordon, senior vice president and diversity and inclusion officer at Ameris Bank, traces her banking roots to a high school co-op program in New York City. Working full time every other week at Morgan Guarantee—now J.P. Morgan—she found herself surrounded by seasoned professionals on Broad Street, just across from the New York Stock Exchange. It was there, as a teenager, that she learned a lesson that would shape her career: the importance of speaking up.
“You never know who might benefit from your courage or what might be happening behind the scenes,” Gordon said, recalling how she chose to report an inappropriate comment from a much older colleague. “That early experience shaped my ability to advocate for myself and others.”
Gordon, a member of GBA’s Women in Banking Committee, continues to lead with clarity and compassion. When her team launched a Bank On certified account in 2023, she saw firsthand how inclusive banking can make a lasting impact. One customer, denied accounts elsewhere, opened an account through the new program and left a heartfelt review about how much it meant to finally have access to direct deposit and financial stability.
Read more in our latest GBA Member Profile.
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BSA Peer Group Brings Insight and Real-World Perspective
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BSA professionals from across Georgia gathered in Macon on July 24 for GBA’s BSA Peer Group Meeting at Idle Hour Golf & Country Club. The event offered attendees a valuable mix of expert-led guidance, peer discussion and a compelling real-world fraud case study.
The morning session, led by Kristen Stogniew, Esq., of Saltmarsh, Cleaveland & Gund, featured an open roundtable where participants shared best practices, challenges and timely concerns related to BSA/AML/CFT and OFAC compliance.
In the afternoon, attendees heard from Matthew Cox, a former mortgage fraudster once on the U.S. Secret Service’s Most Wanted list. His candid presentation about how he manipulated lending systems—and how he was eventually caught—offered a rare and eye-opening perspective on fraud detection from the other side.
Thanks to all who attended and participated in this dynamic and practical peer exchange, and special thanks to our speakers and facilitators for making the event impactful and memorable.
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Don’t Miss Your Chance to Attend the Fraud Academy
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The 2025 Fraud Academy, hosted by the Kentucky Bankers Association in partnership with GBA, is just weeks away. This high-impact program is designed for bankers at all levels to learn how to identify, prevent and respond to fraud across more than 18 risk areas—everything from elder fraud and check fraud to cybercrime and prevention strategies.
The event will take place Aug. 12-14 at the Hyatt Regency Downtown in Lexington, KY, with live stream/virtual registration available. Taught by experts from the U.S. Secret Service, law enforcement and fraud prevention specialists, the program is packed with practical tools your bank can use right away.
The Fraud Academy has been approved for the following continuing education credits:
- 17 CAFP (Certified AML & Fraud Professional)
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13.25 CRCM (Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager)
- 6 CERP (Certified Enterprise Risk Professional)
- 1.25 CTFA (Certified Trust & Fiduciary Advisor).
Register today to protect your bank, strengthen your team and earn valuable CE credit.
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Next Ops/Tech Peer Group Meeting Set for Sept. 10 in Athens
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Bank operations and technology professionals should make sure to join GBA's next Operations & Technology Peer Group Meeting set for Sept. 10 at the University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education & Hotel in Athens. Led by Sam Drennen, EVP, Chief Operating Officer, First American Bank & Trust, this event will foster in-depth peer discussions on the critical challenges and opportunities facing bank operations and technology professionals today.
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Plan for the Future: Succession Planning Webinar Series Offered Through GBA Partnership
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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 be held Nov. 3 and Nov. 17, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET. The sessions 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. Learn more and register here.
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Sponsorship Deadline July 31!
Georgia BankPAC Pickleball Tournament
Aug. 21, 2025
Rhythm & Rally, Macon
Register Here
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Reminder: Registration Now Open!
Georgia BankPAC Golf Classic
Oct. 15, 2025
River Forest Golf Club, Forsyth
Register Here
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More Events and Training Opportunities Coming up
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Opening Business Accounts, Do’s and Don’ts on Checks, Bank Accounting Boot Camp and More
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Here’s a sampling of upcoming webinars.
Want to see the full webinar schedule?
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PARTNERS, PRODUCTS & ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
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Introducing Abrigo’s Real-Time Wire Fraud Detection: Stop Fraud Before It Happens
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Protect your bank and customers from costly wire fraud with GBA Partner Abrigo’s new real-time wire fraud detection solution, now part of the Abrigo Fraud Detection suite. Featuring advanced behavioral analytics, customizable rules and instant customer verification, this tool stops fraudulent transactions before funds are released, helping banks reduce losses and boost confidence. Don’t miss the live demo on Aug. 7 to see it in action.
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Compliance Alliance Question of the Week
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Question: Where should we include victim details – such as an entity’s authorized signatories or contact persons – within a Suspicious Activity Report?
Answer: Generally speaking, the SAR Filing Instructions and SAR Narrative Guidance Package instruct that information about the victim should generally only be included in the narrative, and only if that inclusion is necessary for a complete description / understanding of the suspicious activity; indeed, the intention of the SAR is to capture information about the suspicious activity, and in particular, the "subject" of that activity (i.e. the person or entity conducting, attempting to conduct, or suspected of being involved in the suspicious activity). Read more here.
Compliance Hub Demo Schedule:
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Tonya Bailey has joined the bank as a universal banker serving customers from the Atlanta office.
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| Lawrenceville - Embassy National Bank
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Kristy Johnson has joined the bank’s deposit operations department.
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Savannah - Great Oaks Bank
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Joyce Studier has been appointed senior vice president and retail banking director. Read more.
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| Watkinsville - Oconee State Bank
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Chris Wallace, MBA, has joined the bank as first vice president, national SBA sales manager and business development officer.
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Twin City - Durden Banking Company
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The bank celebrated its 90th anniversary with cake and $90 raffle prizes at all four locations. Congratulations to the team! Pictured are: Matt Donaldson (CFO), Jim Cowart (COO) and Wade Johnson (CEO).
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Synovus Financial Corp. has announced it will merge with Nashville-based Pinnacle Financial Partners Inc. in an all-stock transaction valued at $8.6 billion. The combined company will operate under the Pinnacle Financial Partners and Pinnacle Bank name and brand. Read more.
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Fitzgerald/Thomasville -
Colony Bank/TC Federal Bank
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Colony Bankcorp Inc. will acquire TC Bancshares Inc., the parent company of TC Federal Bank, in a stock-and-cash transaction valued at approximately $86.1 million. Greg Eiford will join Colony Bank as executive vice president and chief community banking officer. Read more.
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| Atlanta - American Pride Bank
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The bank has welcomed several new leaders to its growing team: Brian Fisher, senior vice president and Atlanta market president; Allison Dowling, senior vice president and senior regional credit officer; Janice Morris, senior vice president and commercial relationship manager; Mark Pope, vice president and director of treasury management; and Kristie McMahan, executive vice president and chief credit officer. Read more.
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Cumming/Duluth - Georgia Banking Company
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GBC has welcomed two new retail market leaders: Brittany Amin in Cumming and Mumtaz Pradham in Duluth.
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Thomasville/Doraville - Thomasville National Bank/First IC Bank
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Two Georgia banks have been recognized on American Banker’s list of the top-performing 20 public banks with under $2 billion in assets: Thomasville Bankshares / Thomasville National Bank - No. 4 (Stephen Cheney, CEO), and First IC Bank - No. 13 (Dong “Don” Wook Kim, president and CEO). See the full list.
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| Athens - First American Bank & Trust Company
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The bank made donations to the Lawrenceville Police Employee's Fund and the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office through the Georgia Law Enforcement Tax Credit program, showing support for local law enforcement and public safety.
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Blairsville - United Community Bank
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The bank supported Georgia high school students Eliyah, Turner and Mikala in launching the Secure Seniors initiative, aimed at preventing elder fraud. With help from the Blairsville team, the project placed second at the DECA International Career Development Conference and is poised to expand its global impact.
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| The bank hosted Vietnam War veteran and former POW Lee Ellis at Lake Oconee Church for an evening focused on leadership and resilience. His powerful story from the "Hanoi Hilton" left a lasting impression on all who attended.
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| Milledgeville - Exchange Bank
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The bank donated $1,500 to Communities in Schools of Milledgeville-Baldwin County to help provide support services to local students and families. The organization serves more than 3,600 students annually and reported significant academic improvement last year. Read more.
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Reidsville - GB Bank Group
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Bank team members Marky, Brooke and Hannah distributed school supplies at the Back to School Extravaganza at Tattnall County High School, helping students gear up for a successful year.
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Twin City - Durden Banking Company
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The bank hosted the annual Emanuel County Youth Book Scavenger Hunt at its branches, where children picked up free books supplied by Emanuel County Family Connection. Bank team members Michelle Millsaps and Felicia Burch were pictured with young reader Joanna Clark.
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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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© 2025 Georgia Bankers Association
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