Briefs on all things happening in Georgia banking this week.
Briefs on all things happening in Georgia banking this week.
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  Sept. 27, 2024 

Hurricane Helene Resources for Banks

As Hurricane Helene approaches, GBA is closely monitoring the impact this storm could have on our members and their communities. We’ve been hearing from members this week with branches and offices in the storm’s projected path. To assist with preparations and potential recovery efforts, we wanted to share GBA’s Hurricane Assistance Resources as well as hurricane preparation materials from the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. While we hope there won’t be significant damage or long-term business disruptions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the GBA team if we may be of assistance. 

Statewide Deposits Increase

The FDIC deposit market share report released last week shows that banks doing business in Georgia held nearly $342 billion of in-market deposits on June 30. That’s up about $424 million from 2023. There were 190 banks reporting deposits in Georgia, with banking services offered at 2,008 branches. Access the full report here.
*Century Bank of Georgia's merger into and with Southern States Bank, Annison, AL, closed after this report on July 31 and is not included in this figure.

Four Georgia Banks Awarded CDFI Grants

Bank of Camilla, Carver State Bank, South Georgia Banking Company and Southeast Frist are among 171 banks nationwide awarded a share of $40.1 million from the Treasury Department’s Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund. The funding to these banks through the Bank Enterprise Award Program (BEA Program) will be reinvested into economically distressed communities and CDFIs, thereby fostering additional economic opportunities. The total funding to these four banks is $732,496.
  • Bank of Camilla, $280,369
  • Southeast First National Bank, $252,478
  • South Georgia Banking Company, $119,847
  • Carver State Bank, $79,802

Banker-Led Retirement Services Board Meets

One key resource for GBA members is GBA Retirement Services (GBARS). The banker-led board met this week to perform its quarterly due diligence for the Retirement Trust. It is notable that 64% of participants in the GBA 401(k) program are on track to replace at least 70% of their current income in retirement. The national industry average is just 25 to 30%. Additionally, 34% of participants in the Master Trust are contributing 7% or more of their compensation to their 401(k) plan, and 21% are contributing more than 10%.
GBARS retirement plans and investments funds managed by our partners American Trust continue to outperform comparative benchmarks, and participants benefit from asset allocation assistance through a Managed Account Solution called the “UnifiedPlan”. Employees at 40% of our state’s banks participate in GBA Retirement Services plans, with total assets under management now at $315 million, and at least four new plans preparing to transition to GBARS in 2025. Chuck Copeland, president and CEO, First National Bank of Griffin, chairs the GBA Retirement Services board. For information about GBA Retirement Services, contact Mandy Richards at 678.549.4167. 

GBA Retirement Services Recognizes Rick Drews

At this week's meeting, the GBA Retirement Services Board of Directors recognized and thanked Rick Drews, Southern States Bank (formerly Century Bank of Georgia), for his 10 years of service on the board. This was Rick’s last in-person meeting as he prepares for retirement at the end of the year.
Rick and his wife, Cathy, will be missed, and the Board wishes them a long and happy retirement. 

GBA Member Profile

Banking on Agriculture: Allen McCorvey’s Passion for Supporting Farmers

In our latest GBA Member Profile, Allen McCorvey, vice president and commercial agricultural banker at Ameris Bank, shares his journey from a background in agricultural economics and precision farming to a fulfilling career in banking, where he specializes in financing farm operations, agricultural real estate, and equipment.
"My work in banking is deeply connected to my passion for agriculture. Helping local farmers and agri-businesses secure the financing they need to succeed is incredibly rewarding," McCorvey reflects.
A member of the GBA Agriculture Committee, McCorvey shares more about his career, love for rural life and some fun facts in his full profile here.

BSA Peer Group Meeting Recap and a Look Ahead to the 2025 BSA Summit

On Tuesday, a group of Georgia bankers gathered at Idle Hour Country Club in Macon for the in-person BSA Peer Group Meeting, led by Kristen Stogniew of Saltmarsh Cleaveland and Gund. Attendees dove into important topics such as banking COAM accounts and other BSA/AML trends submitted by participants.
If you missed this week’s peer group, there’s another chance to engage with Kristen and deepen your BSA knowledge at the upcoming BSA Summit, happening Jan. 13-16, 2025, at Lake Lanier Islands. The BSA Summit will offer an in-depth exploration of BSA compliance through a series of sessions covering key regulatory issues and best practices. Stay tuned for the detailed agenda, and be sure to register now to secure your spot.

Next week!

Opening New Accounts Seminar - Oct. 1 in Macon

Customized to Georgia Law, Matthew Dickinson of JM Consultants will focus on documentation and compliance during this full-day seminar. Walk away with the six essential requirements for opening any new account and gain better understanding of complex personal, business and trust accounts. Attendees can also expect answers to various questions asked by customers and staff while focusing on vital information for every new account type.
Get all the details and register hereWith questions, contact Aimee Corcoran, 404.420.2035.

Hey, South Georgia Bankers

Sprint is on to Register for South Georgia Symposium

Join us for our annual South Georgia Community Bank symposium Thursday, Oct. 10, in partnership with the Harley Langdale Jr. College of Business Administration at Valdosta State University. Hear from experts on the economy, as well as credit quality, industry updates and small business resources.
Featured Sessions and Speakers:
  • Economic Update: Dr. Elvan Aktas, professor of finance, Valdosta State University
  • Credit and Compliance Trends: Stewart Thigpen, CEO, Steve H. Powell & Co.
  • Regulatory Update: Melissa Sneed, deputy commissioner for supervision, Georgia Department of Banking and Finance
  • Advocacy Update: Tripp Cofield, president and CEO, Georgia Bankers Association
  • Business Development: Walt Moore, district director, UGA Small Business Development Center.
Who Should Attend: CEOs, board members, management teams, lenders, HR and marketing teams, and anyone interested in customer-facing and community responsibilities.
Click here to reserve your spot today! And new this year, event sponsorships are available for $1,000 with tons of benefits; click here for details on that opportunity. Thanks to BDS Yarmouth & Choate for their support! Contact GBA's Kathy Friestad with questions about sponsorship or the symposium.

2024-2025 sessions starting soon!

Senior Lending Officer Roundtables - Last Call!

A new program year is about to start and seats are available in all four groups of GBA's Senior Lending Officer Roundtables. Mike Allen of Three B’s Advisors serves as facilitator. With 45+ years of banking/credit expertise and experience, Allen is among the most respected lending experts in Georgia.
For those looking to join, email GBA's Alison Moreau, amoreau@gabankers.com, for information. See a brief summary of this and other roundtables on our website's Roundtables page

CE credits available!

Compliance Conference, Oct. 23-25, The Westin, Jekyll Island

American Bankers Association (ABA) Professional Certifications has approved the GBA Compliance Conference for: 14 CRCM, 7.25 CERP, 2.75 CAFP credits. Sharpen your skills, elevate your bank’s compliance management program, connect with peers, and earn your continuing education credits! Get all the details and register here. 
The GBA Compliance Committee, chaired by Lindsay Holloway, The Four County Bank, and Renee McCullar, vice chair, BankSouthwould like to thank these GBA Associate Members who are showing their support through sponsorship – Platinum: Steve H. Powell & Company and Centrant Community Capital and Silver: Mauldin & Jenkins, Carr, Riggs & Ingram, Compliance Alliance, Ncontracts, and Troutman Pepper. With questions, contact Aimee Corcoran, 404.420.2035.

Legislative and Economic Forum & Reception Registration Now Open

Join the GBA Board of Directors, Public Affairs Committee and BankPAC Board Jan. 29, as they host GBA’s annual Legislative and Economic Forum, followed by GBA’s annual Legislative Reception honoring members of the General Assembly, Constitutional Officers, statewide Judiciary and other dignitaries. The forum will be from 3-6 p.m., followed by the reception from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Ritz-Carlton Downtown Atlanta.
Who Should Attend: Any member bankers, Associate Members or Bank Counsel Section members with management, finance, business development or government relations-related responsibilities or interests.
Register Today and Reserve Your Room: Click here to reserve your spot and for hotel information. GBA’s room block features rooms for Wed. night Jan 29 at our discounted nightly rate of $339/$359 (king/queen).
Sponsorships Available! Your company or firm may choose to support this event through sponsorship; click here for more information. Thanks to ServisFirst Bank for their event sponsorship!
Questions? Contact GBA’s Kathy Friestad.

BankPAC Golf Classic Sold Out; Support This Event through Hole Sponsorship

We’re excited to announce that we’ve got a capacity crowd participating in our 2024 Georgia BankPAC Golf Classic. Over 90 golfers will join us for this annual fundraising event, which benefits the GBA StatePAC*. It’s not too late to show your support, though - Hole Sponsorships are still available for just $300; contact GBA’s Kathy Friestad to get signed up.
A huge thanks to these event sponsors: Banc Card of America; Bank of Dawson; Bank of Madison; Bank of Monticello; BEVYTEC; Burke Stelling Group, LLC; Cash Transactions, LLC; Coleman  Talley LLP; CSRA Business Lending; CT Solutions; Farmers and Merchants Bank;  Fenimore Kay Harrison LLP; FHLBank Atlanta; First Chatham Bank; First National Bank; Georgia First Bank; Morris Bank; Oconee State Bank; Pinnacle Bank; Point to Point Environmental; PointeNorth Insurance; Steve H. Powell & Co.; SunMark Community Bank; Synovus Bank; The Citizens Bank of Georgia; The Piedmont Bank and Watchpoint Group.
* The GBA StatePAC contributes only to candidates running for state-level offices such as the Georgia General Assembly, the Governor’s office and the Lieutenant Governor’s office. Contributions can be made from an individual, from bank funds if you are a state-chartered bank or from a national bank holding company if the contribution is made from funds other than those resulting from the operations of the national bank.

GBA Partner Bank Marketing Center

Free Webinar: Engagement vs. Followers - What's Driving Visibility in Today's Social Media Landscape

As a banker, building relationships is critical. Are you using social media to its full relationship-building potential? In today's landscape, it's not just about who’s following your bank—it’s also about who’s engaging with your content. Join the team from GBA Partner Bank Marketing Center for a free webinar on Oct. 30 at 2 p.m. to learn more about building online engagement. Highlight topics will include:
  • Who Should Be Visible for Your Bank
  • Defining Your Target Market & Their Pain Points
  • The Power of "Faceless" Video & AI Avatars
  • Tools & Resources to Boost Your Efforts

Marketing Peer Group meeting coming up!

Dive in to Data Analytics and Peer Networking Nov. 6

GBA’s Marketing Committee is excited to host our next peer group meeting on Nov. 6. The meeting will begin with a deep dive on data analytics with Hunter Young, president of the HIFI Agency. Young was a hit at last year’s Marketing Conference, and the committee wanted to bring him back for a more thorough how-to-workshop for members. The afternoon will be dedicated to peer exchange with a roundtable discussion tackling all the latest marketing trends. Get all the detail and register here.

Financial Risk Management Conference - Nov 7-8

Outlook for US Community Banks as the Fed Pivots

Net interest margins have fallen for some banks, and the pace of the rebound could depend on how quickly those banks can lower their deposit costs as the Federal Reserve eases monetary policy. While the Fed’s pivot could help reduce credit quality concerns, interest rates may need to move notably lower to alleviate Wall Street’s discomfort, particularly regarding commercial real estate exposure. During this discussion, FIG Research Director Nathan Stovall, S&P Global Market Intelligence, will review his proprietary projections for commercial bank performance and discuss how lower rates will impact performance and future strategies, including balance sheet positioning, capital raising and M&A activity. This is one of many outstanding sessions planned for the conference. Get all the details and register here. 

Our peer groups are growing!

Internal Audit Peer Group Meeting - Nov. 19 in Macon

Our inaugural internal audit peer group meeting was a great success and you wanted more, so we are extending our next meeting to a full-day program. Register now for the next peer group meeting at Farm Bureau’s headquarters in Macon on Nov. 19. Event highlights include:
  • Effectively Communicating Audit Results - Learn best practices for communicating audit findings to stakeholders and overcoming resistance.

  • The Modernization of Internal Audit - Discover how to embrace data analytics, agile auditing, and fraud detection to modernize your audit processes.

  • Roundtable Discussion - Participate in an interactive roundtable where industry challenges and trends will be discussed with peers and experts.
Get all the details and register here. With questions, contact Aimee Corcoran, 404.420.2035. 

Credit Conference - Dec. 5-6

Fan-Favorite Dr. Roger Tutterow to Give Economic Update

Dr. Roger Tutterow, Henssler Financial Endowed Chair and Professor of Economics, Kennesaw State University, a conference favorite, will give his annual economic update at the 2024 GBA Credit Conference on Dec. 5-6 at The Westin Buckhead Atlanta. Our conference covers the full spectrum of market intelligence, credit trends, underwriting, risk management and business development topics essential for growing, thriving banks. Get all the details and register here. 

GBA Partner Dart Appraisal Offers the Best Custom Appraisal Management Solutions

GBA-endorsed Dart Appraisal is committed to blending state-of-the-art technology and first-class service to quickly deliver honest valuations. And, you retain the ability to use your bank’s preferred appraisal panel. Dart Appraisal offers a complete selection of commercial and residential appraisal products and a variety of alternate valuation solutions, including Fannie Mae’s new Value Acceptance + Property Data product. With questions, please contact John LaBriola at jlabriola@dartappraisal.com. Dart Appraisal is a nationwide, independently owned and operated Appraisal Management Company with offices in Cobb County, GA.

Enrollment is Now Open for Georgia Banking School April 27 - May 2

The Georgia Banking School has developed generations of Georgia bank leaders who shape the industry in our state. The three-year school offers everything you want and expect from an investment in banker education, specifically preparing the next generation of bank leaders, building the pool of management-level talent in your bank, and connecting students to the most knowledgeable industry experts and a community of fellow bankers. The Georgia Banking School Board, led by Darron Burnette of Synovus Bank, has been hard at work reviewing the curriculum and planning next year’s session. Details and enrollment access here.

Master Compliance

New Alumni Track Added for 2025 GBA Compliance School

Registration for the 2025 GBA Compliance School on-campus session, April 27 - May 2 in Athens, is open! The big news is our Compliance School Board has added a new feature. Here’s the lineup:
  • Year 1 – Basics
  • Year 2 – Advanced
  • New – Compliance Alumni Continued Education track (Compliance ACE) to refresh skills from any Year 1 and/or Year 2 classes, earn CE/CRCM credits and work toward a GBA Compliance Master’s certification
The school is designed to give new and experienced compliance pros the tools necessary to build, monitor and maintain an effective compliance program. With questions, contact Aimee Corcoran, 404.420.2035.

Reminder: Fundamentals Course Begins Oct. 29

Understanding Bank Performance Course will Help Bankers at All Levels

We are excited to announce another round of the virtual Understanding Bank Performance Program in partnership with the Washington Bankers Association.
See why bankers of all experience levels are raving about how this program helped them understand their impact on the bank’s performance. Starting on Oct. 29, with two sessions per week for a month, students will learn to assess and analyze a bank’s financial performance using real data and become familiar with balance sheets and income statements while also learning how to apply key performance metrics to data in those documents. The program will finish with students undergoing a pro forma capstone evaluating Silicon Valley Bank.
This is a great way to help newer employees learn how the banking industry works or to help experienced individuals further their careers.
Register early to secure your place at www.bankerscontent.com/ubp1024.

IRA Academy, Feb.4-6, Macon, MGSU

Flex Format: Choose the Days that Best Fit Your Needs

We are extending our valuable two-day IRA seminar into a newly designed IRA Academy. Registrants now have the option to attend the days that will benefit them most. Choose from the following, or any combination of the following options:
  • Day 1: Basics
  • Day 2: Advanced and complex IRA transactions
  • Day 3: Operations, administration and reporting of IRAs
All three days will include an interactive workshop giving attendees the hands-on training needed to service IRA requests. The IRA Academy will be Feb. 4-6 in Macon at Middle Georgia State University. Facilitated by Loni Porta, Director of Education, Convergent Retirement Plan Solutions, anyone even remotely involved in IRAs will benefit from this training. 
Get all the details and register here. Contact Aimee Corcoran with questions, 404.420.2035.

Compliance Alliance – Question of The Week 

Question: Under the Regulation Z advertising rules, when is APR considered to be a triggering term?  
Answer: The annual percentage rate (APR) is a triggering term for open-end credit product advertisements, but not for closed-end credit product advertisements. Under § 1026.16(b), terms that are required to be disclosed under § 1026.6 (including the corresponding annual percentage rate) trigger additional disclosures if set forth affirmatively or negatively in such an advertisement. However, under § 1026.24(d)(1), while certain triggering terms presented in an advertisement for a closed-end loan will required the disclosure of additional terms, APR is not one of them For reference, for close-end loans the triggering terms are the amount or percentage of any downpayment, the number of payments or period of repayment, the amount of any payment, or the amount of any finance charge.
Live Demo Signups for Compliance Alliance:

Webinars - Great for Fundamentals Training

Strategic Planning for Financial Institutions, Establishing a Culture of Compliance, HMDA and Its Data Points and More

Here’s a sampling of upcoming webinars. 
Want to see the full webinar schedule? Check out our webinar calendar for a full list of upcoming webinars. 

Mark Your Calendars! Registration Opening Soon

Mark your calendars!

GBA 2025 Spring Conferences at The Westin, Jekyll Island

Mark your calendars and save the date for the following 2025 spring conferences at The Westin, Jekyll Island. The beachfront resort is only steps from the ocean and it’s calling your name!
  • HR Professionals Institute – Wed. through Fri., March 19-21
  • Marketing Conference and Workshop – Wed. through Fri., March 19-21
  • Bank Security Conference – Mon through Wed., April 7-9 
Registration will open soon. With questions, contact Aimee Corcoran, 404.420.2035.

Recruit, Retain and Develop the Best Bankers with GBA Career Solutions


GBA 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. To make the process easy and answer any questions, we've developed this Q&A. Please contact Katina Prokos, 404.420.2021. 
Why Do People Choose Careers in Banking?
Whatever their talents, interests and educational background, there is a career in banking for them. Here are few good reasons to share with folks you know.
 

GBA Community Connections

We want to share all the good work GBA member banks, bankers, Associate Members and Bank Counsel Section members do to support their communities. Here's our latest installment:
Albany - Georgia Community Bank
The bank’s Albany branch hosted students from Wetherald Behavioral Academy, a private school for children with autism and related disabilities, and taught them about processing change orders.
Cochran - The Citizens Bank of Laurens County
The bank participated in the 49th annual Industry Appreciation Golf Tournament on Sept. 19 with a tent offering drinks and boiled peanuts.
Cairo - First National Bank
The bank sponsored lunch at the 25th annual Cairo-Grady County Chamber of Commerce Golf Classic.
Elberton - Pinnacle Bank
The bank volunteered at Elbert County High School's "school bank."
Perry - SunMark Community Bank
Bank team members participated in the Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Heart of Georgia’s Dragon Boat Race Fundraiser.
Pine Mountain - First Peoples Bank
The bank sponsored the Stock Market Game Club at Harris County Carver Middle School, a program helping 7th grade students learn about personal finance and investing.
Watkinsville - BankSouth
The bank’s Watkinsville team sponsored the Cancer Foundation of Georgia’s fundraiser for patients in Northeast Georgia.
Watkinsville - BankSouth
The bank’s Watkinsville team also sponsored the Oconee County Rotary annual car show.

GBA Newsmakers

Check out these Georgia bankers making news this week:

Albany - Flint Community Bank
Michael Lawson has joined the bank as a vice president and commercial lender. Read more here. Jenny Clark has joined the bank’s loan operations team.
Augusta - Queensborough National Bank & Trust Co.
Breck Brigham has joined Queensborough Investments as vice president and wealth planner in the Augusta market. Read more here
Augusta - Synovus Bank
Gary Woodhurst has joined the bank as a commercial banker in Augusta. 
Bainbridge - First National Bank
Heather Ramer has joined the bank as a BSA administrator. Dehlia Crowley has joined the bank as a relationship banker. 
Cordele - Planters First Bank
Regan Webb has joined the bank as an enterprise support analyst for loans. 
Douglasville - Synovus Bank
Dione Core joined the bank as the retail market manager in its Douglasville branch. 
Forsyth - Bank of Dudley
Eric Bunn has joined the bank as a consumer lender in Forsyth. 
Jasper - Community Bank of Pickens County
Mackenzie Mays has joined the bank as a teller. 
Atlanta - Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (FHLBank Atlanta)
FHLBank Atlanta recently announced its 2024 Heirs’ Property Family Wealth Protection Fund (FWP), allocating $5 million to assist organizations with the prevention and resolution of heirs’ property issues. Read more here.
Savannah - Small Business Assistance Corporation (SBAC)
SBAC announced the launch of its newly established Technical Assistance Department to support the growth and success of small businesses across Southeast Georgia and the Lowcountry of South Carolina. This new initiative will be led by Kassidy Jones as business advisory services manager and Mariyah Blackshear as business advisory services coordinator. Read more here.
Washington, D.C. - Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
The FDIC Board of Directors has appointed Jennifer Schoen as director of the Division of Administration.
Michael Lawson
Jenny Clark
Breck Brigham
Gary Woodhurst
Heather Ramer
Dehlia Crowley
Regan Webb
Dione Core
Eric Bunn
Mackenzie Mays
Kassidy Jones
Mariyah Blackshear

Read All About It: Send Us Your News

Please remember to include the Georgia Bankers Association on the list of recipients for announcements about promotions, new employees and special recognition your bank has received. 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 Prokos.
Calendar of Training and Events by subject/topic:
Webinars by topic:
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