MEMBER NEWS

Georgia Banks Represented in Treasury Financial Literacy Roundtable

Georgia’s banking industry was well represented on the national stage as United Bank CEO Jim Edwards joined a U.S. Treasury roundtable with Secretary Scott Bessent during Financial Literacy Month.

While invited to highlight United Bank’s efforts, Edwards also emphasized the broader work of Georgia banks by sharing additional examples from around the state provided by GBA and other members.

The roundtable brought together bank leaders from across the country to provide input on financial education efforts and potential updates to the National Strategy for Financial Literacy. Read more.

ADVOCACY

Make Your Voice Heard in Georgia’s Primary Elections

Georgia’s primary elections are just a little more than a month away, and this is a big election year with all of Georgia’s state constitutional offices up for grabs, a U.S. Senate seat to be decided along with races for every U.S. House seat.

Early voting is underway, allowing bankers to make their voices heard in supporting a strong business and banking environment in Georgia. Your voice matters in shaping the policies that impact our industry and communities. We have helpful, nonpartisan Get Out the Vote resources from the GBA and American Bankers Association here.

Key dates to remember include the end of early voting on May 15 and Primary Election Day on May 19. See the complete 2026 voting calendar here.

Before heading to the vote, be sure to confirm your registration status, polling location and voting options through the GA My Voter Page on the Georgia Secretary of State website: mvp.sos.ga.gov. Make a plan to vote and encourage your colleagues and customers to do the same.

U.S. House Passes 2026 Farm Bill

The Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026, commonly known as the Farm Bill, cleared the U.S. House on Thursday, advancing a long-awaited five-year farm bill reauthorization. The bill now heads to the U.S. Senate.

The measure passed by a bipartisan vote of 224–220 after extended negotiations. Sanford Bishop (GA-02) was the only Georgia Democrat voting for the measure, along with all Georgia Republicans.

The Farm Bill reauthorizes key agriculture, nutrition and conservation programs while strengthening risk management tools and investing in rural development. For Georgia, these provisions are expected to provide greater stability for farmers through enhanced crop support, conservation funding and access to capital.

Next, the legislation moves to the Senate, where lawmakers will consider their own version. Any differences must be resolved before final passage and signature by President Trump.

OCC Reasserts Federal Authority on Interchange Fees, Pushes Back on Illinois Law

We’re encouraged that the OCC this week issued an interim final rule and order stating that federal law preempts an Illinois’ law that prohibits charging interchange fees on the sales tax and gratuity portions of card transactions. The move pushes back on a recent federal court ruling and reinforces the agency’s position that such laws interfere with the business of banking. It also carries broader implications as similar legislation has been proposed in Georgia and other states in recent legislative sessions, underscoring the stakes for bank revenue and contracting practices. 

Action Alert: Support the SCAM Act to Combat Online Fraud

Social media platforms have become a growing channel for fraud, with scammers using fake accounts and deceptive ads to target consumers. Americans lost more than $20 billion to scams in 2024, and a recent survey found 76% of adults have encountered suspicious or fraudulent content online.

In response, lawmakers have introduced the Safeguarding Consumers from Advertising Misconduct (SCAM) Act, S. 3774 and H.R. 7548. The legislation would require platforms to verify advertisers’ identities, implement systems to detect fraudulent ads, and investigate and remove deceptive content. It also seeks to clarify accountability for platforms that host fraudulent advertising.

To protect your customers from financial fraud and amplify the need for stronger safeguards, we encourage you to contact your senators and representatives and urge them to cosponsor the SCAM Act. Take action here.

GBA NEWS

Scenes from the Georgia Banking School & GBA Compliance School

The Georgia Banking School and GBA Compliance School are in session this week. Here are a few scenes from this week’s activities. Look for details next week about graduates and honors.

Georgia Banking School

GBA Compliance School

Spotlight on New GBA Associate Members

During 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:

Access Point Financial

Mr. Justin Perry, jperry@accesspointfinancial.com

Atlanta, GA

www.accesspointfinancial.com

Access Point Financial (APF) is a direct hotel capital provider and lender, exclusively focused on the hospitality industry. APF offers flexible programs, including Senior Bridge Loans, Construction Loans, Mezzanine Loans, and Preferred Equity.

ACE Technologies

Ms. Dawn Moore, Dawn.moore@acetechno.net

Hahira, GA

www.ace.tech

Ace Technologies is a low-voltage systems integrator specializing in design, installation and service of life safety, network cabling, security, and audio/visual systems. The company is committed to exceptional customer service, quality and reliability, employing highly trained technicians with advanced certifications to deliver consistent, high-performance solutions tailored to each customer’s needs.

Affordable Equity Partners

Ms. Pamela Hertz, phetz@aepartners.com

Atlanta, GA

www.aepartners.com

LIHTC allows banks to both improve their after-tax returns and meet regulatory community development requirements.

Ag Resource Management

Ms. Ashley Arrington, AArrington@armlend.com

Addison, TX

www.armlend.com

Since 2009, ARM has offered crop-backed operating lines to farmers across the country. This approach allows ARM to partner with banks that have operating lines they cannot renew but want to retain the customer's term debt.

TRAINING & EVENTS

Dr. Karah Sprouse

Women in Banking Conference to Close With Powerful Session on Multi-Generational Leadership

We’re excited to announce this year’s closing speaker for the Women in Banking Conference is Dr. Karah Sprouse, a generational engagement trainer and researcher. Before stepping into these roles, Dr. Sprouse spent over a decade as a business professor at Cumberland University, where she taught and mentored students. Her award-winning research on multi-generational teams, along with her experience working closely with Gen Z students, sparked her passion for helping organizations unlock the potential of the youngest generation. In her session, “Seeing Differences Differently,” Dr. Sprouse will teach participants how to break down barriers that divide and build up awareness that unites and empowers all people to create a more inclusive and innovative future.

“Our personal backgrounds influence our perspective. Among a wide spectrum of backgrounds, it’s no wonder perspectives collide and cause conflict… even when everyone means well. It doesn’t have to be that way. With the right understanding, our different views can serve as our greatest strength,” says Dr. Sprouse.

This year’s conference will be Aug. 13-14 at the lovely Chateau Elan Winery & Resort in Braselton.

A big thank you to these Associate Members who are supporting the conference through sponsorship: 

• Sapphire Sponsor: CRS Data
• Diamond Sponsor: Profit Resources
• Silver Sponsors: FHLBank Atlanta; Kristopher James Company; McNair, McLemore, Middlebrooks & Co.; Troutman Pepper Locke; and Wipfli.
  

Still Time Join Rural Development and Lending Conference Next Month

Planned by GBA’s Agriculture Committee, Will Moore, WB&T Bankshares, Inc., chair, and Lisa Hodges, Morris Bank, vice chair, the GBA 2026 Rural Development and Lending Conference will provide updates on peanuts, beef, timber, vegetables, crop insurance and more. Attendees will sharpen their skills, share the latest intel and make essential connections helpful in serving their communities.

Sessions include:

• Peanut Update - Marshall Lamb, Ph.D., research leader, the National Peanut Research Laboratory
• Beef Update - Will Secor, Agricultural & Applied Economics, UGA
• Timber Panel - Dru Preston, Georgia Forestry Commission, Utilization Department and Tim Lowrimore, president & CEO, Georgia Forestry Association
• Crop Insurance - Plenn Hunnicutt, South Georgia Crop Insurance
• Vegetable Update - Jessica Kirk, vice president of operations, Lewis Taylor Farms
• Agricultural Lending in Georgia: Regulatory Updates, Credit Trends and Emerging Risks - Stewart Thigpen, Steve H. Powell & Co.
• Farm Labor - Ellen Hendley, vice president, AGWORKS H2.

Thank you to our Platinum Sponsor CSRA Business Lending and Silver Sponsor Point to Point Environmental.

Internal Audit Peer Group Meeting Coming Up May 14, Macon

Join your peers for the next GBA Internal Audit Peer Group Meeting, a must-attend event for bank internal auditors, audit managers, and risk professionals looking to stay ahead of today’s challenges.

This interactive program combines expert-led education with valuable peer discussion, giving you practical takeaways you can put to work immediately. Industry experts from Elliott Davis will lead sessions on BSA model validations, outsourced loan review best practices, emerging credit trends, and recent FDICIA changes impacting internal controls and audit responsibilities.

The afternoon roundtable discussion offers a unique chance to exchange ideas, benchmark processes, and learn how your peers are navigating today’s evolving audit landscape.

Register now to be part of the conversation shaping stronger internal audit practices across Georgia.

Registration Now Open!

BankPAC Pickleball Paddle Battle

Aug. 27, Rhythm & Rally, Macon

LAST CALL!

Bank PR & Crisis Communications
May 7 & 14, Webinar Series

More Events and Training Opportunities Coming up

ONLINE LEARNING – GREAT FOR FUNDAMENTALS TRAINING

Trump Savings Accounts, Accounting for Complex Transactions, Call Report for Beginners, and More 

Take a look at online training opportunities available to GBA members from OnCourse Learning and the American Bankers Association.

Upcoming hot topic webinars: 

• Debit Cards - Everything You Need to Know - May 5
• Bank Accounting Complex Transactions - 4 Part Series - May 6, 8, 13 and 15
• Call Report for Beginners - 5 Part Series - May 6, 13, 20 and 27
• IRA Beneficiary Workshop - May 12
• Encouraging the Next Generation of Women Leaders - May 14
• TRID Workshop - 2 Part Series - May 19
• Trump Savings Account - May 19
• Basic Data Analytics Workshop - 2 Part Series - May 19 & 20
• Creating Exceptional Client Experiences - May 21

Self-paced courses, certificates and reference guides:

• ACH Rules & Regulations: Making Sense of the Legal Framework

• Teller Basics: Upskill for a Digital World

• Reference Guide to Regulatory Compliance

• Succession Planning for Banks

• ABA Bank Teller Certificate

• ABA-Wharton Emerging Leaders Certificate: Advanced Emerging Leadership

PARTNERS, PRODUCTS & ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

Despite continuous developments in the technology to safeguard our money, we unfortunately continue to hear about regular cases of check fraud among our membership. It’s still happening at banks big and small. Your bank can lower the odds of being affected by participating in GBA’s Thumbprint Signature Program. The program was designed to deter check fraud by collecting a thumbprint “signature” from non-customers when cashing checks. A thumbprint signature should be obtained when:

• A non-customer presents an on-us or not-on-us check for cashing. (This includes employees of commercial account customers who present payroll checks drawn on the bank)
• A non-customer presents an on-us check for exchange to a cashier’s check
• A non-customer presents a government check for cashing

To learn more about participating in the Thumbprint Signature Program, please contact GBA’s Bo Brannen, 404.420.2014.

Commercial appraisals are one of the more complex parts of the lending process. For teams managing them in-house, the workload can add up quickly. End-to-end, your team is managing bids, engaging appraisers, tracking timelines, reviewing compliance and quality, coordinating environmental reports and handling payments, all while trying to keep deals moving. When things get busy, that's often when costly delays and bottlenecks start to form.

Improve your workflow with commercial appraisal management guide from GBA Strategic Partner Dart Appraisal: Navigating the Commercial Appraisal Process: What Lenders Actually Need to Know

If your team is dealing with setbacks, inconsistencies, or simply spending too much time on appraisal management, Dart would welcome the chance to show you what a better process looks like. Reach out at 888-DART-123 or info@dartappraisal.com.

As everyday expenses fluctuate, consumers often face short-term cash flow gaps. Overdraft services can provide a helpful safety net, allowing important transactions to be completed even when account balances run low. When designed responsibly, these programs emphasize transparency, clear communication and consumer choice. Features like straightforward cost structures, account alerts and defined limits can help individuals better understand their options. Access to overdraft services may also reduce reliance on higher-cost alternatives for covering unexpected expenses. GBA Strategic Partner ADVANTAGE has all the insights and data on how responsible overdraft strategies support consumers. Read more about it here.

NEWSMAKERS

Alamo - SunMark Community Bank

Shelly Cason has joined the bank as a new CSR/teller in the Alamo branch.

Atlanta

Congratulations to the following members who were named to the Leadership Atlanta Class of 2027:

• Mary Beth Coke, executive vice president, Regions Bank
• Roxann Cooke, managing director, JPMorgan Chase
• Jennifer Cowart, senior vice president, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
• Hilliary Jones, senior vice president, PNC Bank

Colquitt/Donalsonville - Ameris Bank

Eira Plummer has been promoted to branch market manager overseeing market strategy, team development and community engagement across the Colquitt and Donalsonville branches.

Dawsonville - Coastal States Bank

Diane Whitlock was named Best Bank Teller 2026 by Best of Dawsonville.

Rome - First National Community Bank

The bank hosted a celebration event for Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer Vicki Knight, who has retired from the bank after 53 years in banking.

Atlanta - Mauldin & Jenkins

The accounting and advisory firm was named to Accounting Today’s 2026 Top 100 Firms list. In addition to the national ranking, the firm was recognized as a Regional Leader in the Southeast region. Read more.

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

Braselton - Exchange Bank

Hillary Aurelia Celina Fnu, a senior at Jackson County High School, has been selected as a recipient of the bank’s 2026 scholarship in the amount of $1,500. Read more.

Rome - River City Bank

The bank recently hosted a Community Shred Day in Rome where more than 11,000 pounds of confidential and sensitive documents were securely shredded.

South Georgia - Planters First Bank

With support from Community Banking Company of Ocilla, Ameris Bank of Ocilla and Colony Dental Care of Fitzgerald, bank team members mobilized to make contributions and deliver supplies to firefighters in the Pearson area recently affected by wildfires. Additionally, the bank hosted the River Rat Art Project for a reception on World Art Day, and bank team members participated in Hawkinsville High School's recent Mock Interviews and Skills Activities event.

Tifton - South Georgia Banking Company

Bank team member James Mock recently served as the auctioneer at the Tift Council for the Arts Evening for the Arts Gala.

Read All About It: Send Us Your News

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.

Recruit, Retain and Develop the Best Bankers with GBA's Job Bank

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.