ADVOCACY

Trump Administration Announces $12 Billion in Agriculture Aid

USDA this week announced $12 billion in financial assistance for farmers, with up to $11 billion set to go out through the Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) Program. The FBA Program will cover a portion of modeled losses for the 2025 crop year. Eligible commodities include corn, cotton, peanuts, sorghum, soybeans and other major row crops. Farmers should ensure accurate 2025 acreage reporting by Dec.19, 2025. Payment rates will be released by the end of this month, and payments are expected to go out in February 2026. The remaining $1 billion is reserved for commodities not covered by the FBA Program, including specialty crops and sugar. Read more details from USDA here.

2025 Georgia BankPAC Update

The 2025 BankPAC campaign to raise funds for the GBA StatePAC and GBA FedPAC is winding down at year-end. If you have been thinking about contributing, now is the time. Contribution forms, along with all BankPAC information, can be accessed on the advocacy page of gabankers.com, which includes 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.

Our thanks to Central Bank, Tampa, FL, John Thompson, president & CEO, for recent contributions to the both the StatePAC and FedPAC.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Georgia DeNovo Applications in the Spotlight

The recent approval of Georgia Skyline Bank’s state banking charter application drew some headline attention this week from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The paper covered the bank’s approval and the recent uptick in interest in de novo banks, as well as challenges to more new bank formation in the years since the Great Recession. We appreciate the paper reaching out to GBA as a resource for its reporting. Tripp Cofield, GBA president and CEO, provided background information on the Georgia banking environment and the benefits overall of new bank formation. “There’s just opportunity out there. There are fewer banks,” Cofield said. When new banks are formed, he added, it increases competition and gives consumers more choices. “I think it’s good for everybody, for the industry and for consumers and communities.”

Holiday Spending Edges Higher in PNC’s 2025 Christmas Price Index

The cost of the gifts in “The Twelve Days of Christmas” rose 4.5% this year, according to PNC’s 2025 Christmas Price Index®, bringing the total to $51,476.12. That increase tops the October CPI reading and reflects continued labor and service-sector pressures. The biggest jump came from Five Gold Rings, up 32.5% in line with higher gold prices, while five gifts saw no increase at all.

Online shoppers will still pay more for convenience, with the digital version of the list reaching $55,748.05. Buying all 364 gifts referenced in the full song—the “True Cost of Christmas”—also climbed, rising 4.4% to $218,542.98

Other notable changes include a 14.3% increase in the Pear Tree, tied to higher land and input costs. Swans-a-Swimming, historically the most volatile item, held steady, keeping the “core” PNC CPI up 6.1%. More details and interactive charts are available on PNC’s Christmas Price Index website. Read more.

GBA NEWS

Strong Engagement and Forward-Looking Insights Mark 2025 Credit Conference

A big crowd of bankers from across Georgia gathered in Athens last week for the 2025 Credit Conference. The GBA Credit Committee planned the conference, with Chair Ray Crook, Renasant Bank, and Vice Chair Bryan Harris, Oconee State Bank, serving as program hosts. See photos from the conference on GBA's Facebook page here.

Session Briefs

We Know Georgia: Public Service and Outreach at UGA — Matthew Bishop, Ph.D., University of Georgia, highlighted UGA’s public service and outreach mission, including its $1.3 billion economic impact and work across all 159 counties to develop leaders, create jobs and address statewide needs.

Why AI Should Be on Everyone’s To-Do List — Roman Nazarewycz, Zest AI, explained how artificial intelligence can enhance fraud detection, underwriting and portfolio management, offering examples of how institutions of any size can implement AI tools quickly and effectively.

Agricultural Economy Update — Will Secor, UGA Department of Agricultural & Applied Economics, provided an overview of moderating ag markets, noting tight margins in row crops, stronger trends in animal agriculture and the complex outlook lenders will navigate in 2026.

Clarity and Credit: Navigating Uncertain Waters — Cal Evans, Synovus Bank, shared market intelligence on the commercial lending environment and real estate performance in Georgia, along with projections shaped by regulatory, policy and trade developments.

Legislative Fireside Chat — Tripp Cofield, GBA, moderated a discussion with State Rep. Houston Gaines (R-Athens) and State Sen. Bill Cowsert (R-Athens) exploring legislative dynamics and upcoming issues for banks and communities across Georgia.

Panel: Banking Perspectives Across Georgia — Stewart Thigpen, Steve H. Powell & Co., led a panel featuring Shannon Fortson, Pinnacle Bank; Rachel Thompson, Bank of Newington; Terry Baker, Peach State Bank & Trust; and Tillman Sauls, Queensborough National Bank & Trust Co. Panelists compared market conditions across regions, discussing loan demand, regulatory pressure, technology adoption, customer needs and more.

Roundtable Discussion — Thigpen also facilitated small-group conversations based on the topics discussed by the panel. The panelists monitored the table discussions and reported back afterward with a variety of insights from the different tables.

Economic Update — Roger Tutterow, Kennesaw State University, closed the conference with an analysis of economic indicators, rate outlooks and regional trends helpful to banks as they look toward 2026.

Thank You to Our Sponsors and Exhibitors

GBA gratefully acknowledges our conference sponsors: Platinum Sponsor Steve H. Powell & Company and Silver Sponsors Carr, Riggs & Ingram; CRS Data; Mauldin & Jenkins; Point To Point Environmental; and Wipfli.

Thanks also to our exhibitors for their partnership throughout the event: CSRA Business Lending, Point To Point Environmental, Abrigo, CoStar Group, Bankpak, Dart Appraisal, Georgia Department of Community Affairs, KNAV and BHG Financial.

GBA's Marketing Peer Group met this week in Macon for a deep dive on AI in bank marketing from WSI's Eric Cook as well as roundtable discussion on common challenges.

Bryce McCuin on Hard Work, Leadership and Protecting Customers from Fraud

Bryce McCuin, director of marketing at BankSouth, traces his work ethic back to his first job bussing tables at Buffalo’s Café. Clearing dishes, washing dishes and, “doing the jobs no one else wanted” taught him early that every role contributes to the customer experience. That perspective still shapes how he leads today, paired with advice from his grandfather: “Good things come to those who waiteth, if you worketh like hell while you waiteth.”

In his current role, Bryce says some of his most meaningful work centers on combating fraud. BankSouth recently launched a suite of initiatives to better protect customers, including the new Fraud Center resource hub, the short-form Fraudcast featuring real conversations with internal and external experts, and the “Stop. Think. Call.” campaign encouraging customers to pause before acting on suspicious requests. Bryce calls the effort a reflection of community banking at its best: when teams see a need, they collaborate quickly to meet it.

A fun fact about Bryce: His father was a country musician in the 1980s, and he has been surrounded by musicians all his life. Read more in his GBA Member Profile.

First National Bank of Griffin

West Central Georgia Bank

Schedule Your GBA Retirement Services Participant Education Meetings

One of the many benefits of being a member of the GBA Retirement Trust is the ongoing education offered for 401(k) participants. If your bank is part of the group that normally meets during first quarter (Territory 1), please reach out soon to set a date for your employee and/or Plan Administrative Committee meetings early next year. We can do group meetings, individual meetings or virtual meetings. We are proud that 72% of participants in the Master Trust are projected to replace at least 70% of their income in retirement. The national average is less than 30%. Ongoing communication and reminders to participants help our success rates remain strong. Plans that provide automatic enrollment and automatic escalation tend to have higher success rates by helping encourage participants to contribute more. We recently met with First National Bank of Griffin and West Central Georgia Bank for an annual plan review and participant meetings. Chuck Copeland, Chairman of GBA Retirement Services and Eddie Rogers, Board Member of GBA Retirement Services, both understand the importance of retirement readiness and practice what they preach at the Board level and at their own banks. Please contact Mandy Richards at 678.549.4167 for more information about scheduling employee education at your own bank or if you would like more information about how GBARS can help improve your current plan.

GBA Retirement Services 401(k) Webinar Next week

GBA Retirement Services held its annual training seminars in Duluth and Macon a few weeks ago. Presenters from American Trust and GBA Retirement Services discussed administration, the year-end testing process, participant education, plan design , SECURE 2.0 Act updates and fiduciary responsibilities of 401(k) plan sponsors. This additional training is provided each year for our members at no cost.

For Trust members who missed our seminars, there will be a live webinar Monday, Dec. 15, at 11 a.m.  Please sign up here if you still need to register. With assets now exceeding $350 million, being a part of the GBA Master Trust allows smaller plans, including plans of banks, associate members and bank clients, to gain buying power for an effective 401(k) solution for participants. If you would like more information or a proposal for 401(k) services, please contact Mandy Richards at 404.420.2025 or 678.549.4167.

TRAINING & EVENTS

Economist Roger Tutterow to Highlight Legislative Forum Speaker Slate

We’re excited to announce that Roger Tutterow, Ph.D., Henssler Financial Endowed Chair, and Professor of Economics at Kennesaw State University, will be a featured speaker at our annual Legislative and Economic Forum & Reception on Jan. 28 at The Ritz-Carlton Atlanta (downtown). With his trademark clarity and energy, Tutterow will share his take on the state, regional, and national economy and his forecast for the coming year. The newly appointed commissioner of the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance, Bo Fears, will give us a look at Georgia’s regulatory picture as we head into the new year. We’ll also hear a fireside chat about the political and legislative landscape with popular podcast host  Ben Burnett and GBA's Bo Brannen. We’ll also look forward to hearing from our special legislative guests, and we will keep you posted as these folks are confirmed. The Forum will be followed by the annual Legislative Reception, honoring members of the General Assembly, Constitutional Officers, statewide Judiciary and other dignitaries. Reserve your spot today for the forum only, forum and reception or reception only:

Thank you to our generous event sponsors:

• Platinum Sponsor: Olsen Palmer
• Silver Sponsors: Centrant Community Capital; CRS Data; EBS, McNair, McLemore, Middlebrooks & Co.; Point to Point Environmental; and ServisFirst Bank.

Enroll Now for the 2026 Georgia Banking School, April 26 - May 1

For decades, the Georgia Banking School has helped develop generations of the state’s most influential bank leaders. This three-year program delivers exactly what today’s institutions need: a solid pipeline of prepared future leaders, deeper management-level expertise within your bank, and meaningful connections with top industry professionals and peers from across Georgia.

Under the leadership of Peter Faser of The Profitability Coach, the Georgia Banking School Board has been carefully reviewing and enhancing the curriculum to ensure next year’s session provides an exceptional learning experience. Now is the perfect time to secure your spot!

Michael Gordon and Nicole Cunningham

Registration Now Open for Call Report Seminar

Stay confident, accurate and audit-ready by attending GBA’s Call Report Seminar, happening Feb. 3, 2026, at Middle Georgia State University’s Macon campus. Designed for today’s banking professionals, this in-depth program delivers practical guidance to strengthen your Call Report preparation and review process. Join your peers for a detailed, line-by-line review of commonly completed Call Report schedules, with expert tips for accurately reporting individual items. Led by industry-respected professionals from Mauldin & Jenkins, Michael Gordon, CPA, partner, and Nicole Cunningham, CPA, partner, you’ll gain a clearer understanding of how schedules connect, how to spot inconsistencies and how to avoid the most common and costly reporting errors. This seminar is ideal for CFOs, controllers, operations officers and anyone responsible for Call Report preparation or review.

Register Today!

Operations and Technology Conference
Feb. 25-27
The DeSoto, Savannah

More Events and Training Opportunities Coming up

• The BSA Summit - Jan. 12-15, Lanier Islands Resort, Buford

• Legislative and Economic Forum & Reception - Jan. 28, The Ritz Carlton, Downtown Atlanta

• IRA Academy - Feb. 3-5, Middle Georgia State University, Macon

• Georgia BankPAC Sporting Clays Tournament - Feb. 5, Old Hudson Plantation, Sparta

• Business Cash Flow Analysis Seminar - Feb. 24, Cherokee Conference Center at The Bluffs, Canton

• HR Professionals Institute - March 25-27, The DeSoto, Savannah

• Marketing Conference & Customer Insights Workshop - March 25-27, The DeSoto, Savannah

ONLINE LEARNING – GREAT FOR FUNDAMENTALS TRAINING

Nailing Your Job of Head Teller, Using AI as Your Writing Assistant, Teller Basics and More 

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

• Teller Basics: Upskill for a Digital World - Self-Paced
• BSA Year-End Wrap-Up – Dec. 16
• Nailing Your Job of Head Teller – Dec. 18
• Using AI as Your Writing Assistant – Jan. 12
• ABA AI In Banking Workshop – Jan. 12-Feb. 6
• Managing a Successful Call Center – Jan. 13
• 4 Pillars of Exceptional Supervision: Your Toolbox for Success in Leading a Team – Jan. 16
• Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) Regulations' Current Requirements: Succeeding Today While Planning for the Future (All-Day Streaming) – Jan. 22

PARTNERS, PRODUCTS & ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

Still Time to Order 2026 Holiday Decals – Limited Quantities Remain

You can’t seize the right opportunities without the right information, and maximum pipeline growth requires deep insight into your markets. The Commercial Prospecting solution  from GBA Partner S&P Global helps you identify lending opportunities with extensive intelligence on commercial real estate (CRE) and commercial and industrial (C&I) loans. With detailed insight into the number and size of opportunities available, you’ll be better equipped to determine resource needs, set sales targets, and manage accountability. Analyze your commercial lending market share against your peers to see how you stack up. To learn more, contact S&P’s Dan Cutright at daniel.cutright@spglobal.com.

GBA Strategic Partner EBS specializes in the placement, servicing, and administration of Bank Owned Life Insurance (BOLI). Their solutions help banks finance employee benefits and fund nonqualified executive benefit plans through cost-effective, tax-advantaged strategies. If your bank already has BOLI—or is considering a new provider—EBS offers the expertise needed to ensure compliance and deliver the reporting your board and regulators require. Their team includes professionals with designations such as CPA, JD, CLU, and CFP, and each client is supported by a dedicated service team. As a benefit to GBA members, EBS is offering a complimentary BOLI Assessment Report and Carrier Due Diligence Review Report to help you evaluate and enhance your current program. Partner with EBS to strengthen your BOLI strategy with guidance from seasoned professionals and access to top-rated carriers. Please contact Michael Pounds at mpounds@ebscomp.com.

EBS, a bank consulting company, does not engage in the practice of law or accounting. Any questions concerning legal, tax or accounting advice should be referred to your appropriate counsel or advisors.

COMPLIANCE CORNER

Question: We’ve heard a lot lately about Section 1071 – what’s the latest status on those rules (including thresholds and timelines)?

Answer: Ah, Section 1071 - the gift that keeps on giving…and changing! The "current" interim final rule extended the Section 1071 small-business-lending compliance dates by roughly a year. Under this rule, Tier 1 institutions would begin collecting demographic data July 1, 2026; Tier 2 by Jan. 1, 2027; and Tier 3 by Oct. 1, 2027. Voluntary collection one year in advance is still fair game (for testing "…procedures and systems for compiling and maintaining this information…"). However, as of Nov.13, the CFPB has proposed revisions to Section 1071 via its proposed rule (90 FR 50952) which appears to signal a shift toward a "longer-term, incremental approach." The proposed rule, if adopted, would significantly narrow the scope of the 2023 final rule (currently on hold due to ongoing litigation from the Texas Bankers Association and other plaintiffs) by rolling back several discretionary data points and redefining what counts as a covered transaction. Read more here.

Compliance Hub for Banks

• Tuesdays at 11 a.m.
• Thursdays at 2 p.m.

NEWSMAKERS

Atlanta – Georgia Banking Company

The bank recently hosted a ribbon cutting for its new Chastain location.

Augusta – Queensborough National Bank & Trust

The bank announced the retirement of Cliff Eckles, senior vice president of private banking, after nearly 20 years of service. Eckles joined the bank in 2006 and played a major role in building its private banking division. Read more.

Bainbridge – First National Bank

Karen Boyd has joined the bank’s leadership team as senior vice president and chief financial officer. Read more.

Hall County

A team of seven local entrepreneurs has announced plans to launch a new community bank, Private Bank & Trust, with a target opening in 2026. The organizers have filed applications for a Georgia state charter as a non-member bank and for FDIC deposit insurance, with a Federal Reserve bank holding company application expected next. Read more.

Johns Creek – Loyal Trust Bank

Anahi Chavira Acosta has joined the bank as its newest universal banker.

Atlanta – Georgia Department of Banking and Finance

Frankie Keeling was promoted to Supervisory Manager effective Nov. 15. Keeling joined the Department in 2010 and most recently served as Supervisory Examiner in the Southwest District. She is a graduate of the Graduate School of Banking at LSU and holds the Certified Examination Manager designation.

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

Bainbridge – First Port City Bank

The bank kicked off its annual support for The Salvation Army’s holiday bell-ringing campaign, encouraging neighbors to help local families during the Christmas season.

Barwick – Barwick Banking Company

Team members joined local churches to take children Christmas shopping, helping them pick out gifts from their wish lists.

Buford – Peoples Bank & Trust

Employees sponsored six children and three senior adults through the North Gwinnett Co-op, donating gifts, wrapping presents and pitching in wherever needed to brighten the holidays.

Camilla – Planters and Citizens Bank, in partnership with Bank of Camilla, Family Bank and Pelham Banking Company

The bank delivered more than 200 Meals-in-a-Bag to nonprofits across Mitchell County as part of its 2025 community initiative. Partnering with Bank of Camilla, Family Bank and Pelham Banking Company, the team supported local groups such as the Alpha Pregnancy Center, Camilla Housing Authority, Camilla United Methodist Church and the Mitchell County Food Bank.

Eatonton – Exchange Bank

The bank contributed $35,000 to Putnam General Hospital through the Georgia HEART Rural Hospital Tax Credit Program, supporting continued access to quality healthcare for area residents. Read more.

Jackson – United Bank

The bank marked Giving Tuesday with a $500 donation to support the City of Jackson’s annual Can-a-thon, the first in a series of contributions planned throughout December.

Lawrenceville – Embassy National Bank

The bank hosted a LifeSouth blood drive to honor President Brad Day as he continues treatment for leukemia. The event generated enough donations to help 42 people.

Milledgeville – Century Bank and Trust

The bank served as a donation site for the Baldwin County Fire Rescue & Kids Yule Toy Drive.

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.