We look forward to hosting our members at this month's GBA events!
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The BSA Summit - Jan. 12-15, Lanier Islands Resort, Buford
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Bankers looking to meet their annual BSA training requirement under FinCEN and strengthen their compliance programs won’t want to miss the fourth-annual BSA Summit, set for Jan. 12–15, 2026, at Lanier Islands Resort in Buford.
Designed for BSA/AML/CFT and OFAC professionals, the Summit delivers practical, up-to-date guidance to help institutions stay ahead of rising fraud trends and heightened regulatory expectations. Through expert-led sessions, real-world scenarios and peer collaboration, attendees will gain tools they can put to work immediately to reinforce monitoring, reporting and risk-assessment processes.
The program offers a focused, retreat-style setting that encourages discussion, skill building and strategic thinking, all aligned with what bankers need to maintain compliant, well-documented programs throughout the year.
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Thank you to our Silver Sponsor, Mauldin & Jenkins!
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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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HR Professionals Institute - March 25-27, The DeSoto, Savannah
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Join us for the 2026 HR Professionals Institute, GBA’s premier learning and networking event for bank HR leaders. We’ll be at The DeSoto in Savannah for three days of timely insights, practical tools, and peer-to-peer engagement. Planned by the GBA HR Committee under the leadership of chair Jessie Ledford, Rabun County Bank, Clayton, and vice chair Shea Zeigler, WB&T Bankshares, Inc., Valdosta, this year’s program features sessions on talent development, compensation and benefits, legal and regulatory updates, cultural leadership and the future of HR with AI. This is the perfect opportunity to elevate your HR skills and expand your professional network.
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GBA member banks, Strategic Partners and Associate Members are invited to sponsor this event. Thank you to our Silver Sponsor already confirmed: Troutman Pepper Locke!
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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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Georgia's bank lending community is gearing up for this annual conference delivering timely updates. Planned by the GBA Credit Committee, the 2025 Credit Conference program will cover 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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Business Cash Flow Analysis Seminar - Feb. 24, Cherokee Conference Center at The Bluffs, Canton
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Boost your lending confidence with this hands-on seminar designed to sharpen your cash flow analysis skills and enhance your lending performance. Led by Peter Faser, Business Strategy Advisor with The Profitability Coach and faculty member of the Georgia Banking School, this full-day program gives you practical tools to assess business repayment capacity and make more confident credit decisions. Through a mix of lecture and interactive casework, you’ll learn how to:
- Identify key financial trends and cash flow drivers
- 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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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:
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Platinum Sponsor: Olsen Palmer
- Silver Sponsors: Centrant Community Capital; 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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There's still time to join 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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AI in Banking Workshop - Jan. 12 - Feb 6, Online
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GBA members can now enroll in a new four-week AI in Banking Workshop focused on developing participants as AI leaders at their bank and building real-world skills that strengthen decision-making, risk management and customer service.
The blended program combines weekly live online sessions with flexible self-paced modules, helping participants understand AI types, sharpen prompt-engineering skills, develop safe-use policies and apply practical use cases across business lines.
The course runs Jan. 12 through Feb. 6, 2026, and is priced at $595 for GBA members, the ABA member rate regardless of whether the bank is an ABA member. This is an excellent opportunity for bankers looking to build confidence with emerging tools and bring AI-driven improvements to their institutions.
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Marketing Conference & Customer Insights Workshop - March 25-27, The DeSoto, Savannah
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Georgia’s premier in-person event for bank marketing professionals is back March 25-27 at the DeSoto Savannah. The GBA Marketing Committee led by chair Emily Doherty, Great Oaks Bank, Richmond Hill, and vice chair Beth James, Queensborough National Bank & Trust Co., Augusta, has been hard at work planning the agenda with topics you need in today's environment. Designed exclusively for Georgia’s bank marketing leaders and rising professionals, this program delivers the perfect blend of strategy, creativity, data-driven insights and peer collaboration. Attendees have the option to register for the pre-conference workshop, the traditional conference or both.
- Customer Insights Workshop – Pre-conference session with real bank customers moderated by Sean Hockenbery, Financial Marketing Solutions. Learn what attracts and retains your customers and how to form effective focus groups.
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Marketing Conference – Packed with sessions on social media, creative strategies, culture, leadership and peer sharing.
Sign up today to connect, learn and grow with fellow bank marketing professionals.
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GBA member banks, Strategic Partners and Associate Members are invited to sponsor this event. Learn more.
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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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GBA member banks, Strategic Partners and Associate Members are invited to sponsor and exhibit at this event. Thank you to our Silver Sponsor already confirmed: ICI Consulting!
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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.
- 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.
- 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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