Early-bird Pricing for First Year Banking School Ends Soon
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The Spring Session of the Georgia Banking School is rounding out an impressive freshman class. Enroll by Feb. 27 for early-bird pricing and join peers from across the state as they begin a journey of in-depth learning, professional growth, skill development and building meaningful, long-term industry connections. View school details and enroll here.
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Senate Banking Committee Advances GBA Priority Bill; Other Highlights This Week
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It has been a busy week for your GBA Advocacy team at the Capitol. On Thursday, the Senate Banking Committee unanimously and favorably reported the Banking Department’s annual housekeeping bill HB 945, by Rep. Bruce Williamson (R-Monroe). The bill now moves to the Senate Rules Committee for floor consideration and will be carried in the Senate by Sen. Mike Hodges (R-Brunswick).
We continued educating lawmakers about our concerns with SB 476 by Sen. Blake Tillery (R-Vidalia) HB134 by Rep. Beth Camp (R-Concord), which would repeal the bank tax credit. GBA has been distributing talking points outlining why the bill, as currently drafted, would unfairly result in double taxation for banks. See the talking points here.
In addition, we have been actively lobbying against SB 512 by Sen. Drew Echols (R-Gainesville), which would prohibit interchange from being applied to the sales tax portion of card transactions. The bill was assigned this week to the Senate Finance Committee, and we are sharing detailed talking points with members and legislators. See the talking points here.
We will attend the House Banks & Banking Committee meeting tomorrow at 8 a.m. After that, the General Assembly will wrap up its week on Friday afternoon, and we will publish a full legislative update once they adjourn.
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Loudermilk Not Seeking Re-Election After Six Terms in U.S. House
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Congressman Barry Loudermilk announced he will not seek re-election after representing Georgia’s 11th Congressional District since 2015, concluding six terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. Before serving in Congress, he was a member of the Georgia House of Representatives from 2005–2010, and the Georgia State Senate from 2011–2013.
In Congress, Loudermilk served on the House Financial Services Committee, including as vice chair of the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions. He focused on regulatory oversight, accountability for federal financial regulators, and modernization of reporting thresholds affecting community banks. He also supported policies promoting financial innovation and greater transparency in rulemaking.
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Georgia’s banking industry and the GBA appreciate his engagement on key policy issues.
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How CFPB Policies Have Raised Borrowing Costs
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A new White House Council of Economic Advisers report estimates the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has cost consumers between $237 billion and $369 billion since 2011. The report says higher compliance and liability costs led to increased borrowing expenses — totaling at least $222 billion to $350 billion — and reduced mortgage and other loan originations, with an added economic loss of up to $5.7 billion. In 2024 alone, the added cost of credit for mortgages, auto loans and credit cards was estimated at $24 billion to $38 billion. The report also cites $21 billion in added paperwork costs for businesses. Read the report here.
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Fed’s Bowman Signals Capital Rule Changes to Boost Bank Mortgage Lending
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Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman said this week the Fed will propose capital rule changes to encourage banks to originate and service more mortgages. The plan would stop requiring banks to deduct mortgage servicing assets from regulatory capital — while keeping the 250% risk weight — and would apply more risk-sensitive treatment to mortgage loans rather than a uniform standard based on loan-to-value ratios. Bowman said current standards, particularly changes made in 2013, have reduced banks’ share of the mortgage market by requiring disproportionately high capital. She said recalibrating those rules would give banks more flexibility to support mortgage lending in their communities. Read her remarks here.
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FinCEN Streamlines Beneficial Ownership Rule, Reducing Burden on Banks
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FinCEN has issued revised due diligence requirements relieving covered financial institutions from having to collect and verify beneficial ownership information each time a current legal entity customer opens a new account. Banks still are required to verify beneficial owners when a legal entity opens its first account with the bank, and again if previously collected information appears unreliable or as required under the bank’s own risk-based procedures. The change is intended to support a more practical, risk-focused framework while maintaining core anti-money laundering safeguards. For banks, it eliminates duplicative reviews for existing customers, reducing compliance burden while continuing to identify and stop money laundering and other illicit financing.
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Georgia Economy Positioned for Modest Growth in 2026
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Georgia’s economy is expected to post modest growth in 2026, according to the 2026 Georgia Economic Outlook from the University of Georgia’s Selig Center for Economic Growth.
- GDP is projected to rise 1.5 percent.
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Employment is forecast to increase 0.5 percent.
- Unemployment is expected to remain below the national average.
- Personal income is projected to grow 4.5 percent, helping support consumer spending.
For banks, the outlook points to modest loan growth, improved margin opportunities as rates ease and continued population gains that support long-term demand.
Key growth drivers remain firmly in place. Health care, private education, data centers, cybersecurity, finance and advanced manufacturing — particularly electric vehicles and food processing — are positioned to add jobs. Major economic development projects across manufacturing and logistics will provide momentum as they come online. Access the outlook here.
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Columbia County Woman Sentenced in $1 Million Stolen Check Scheme
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A Columbia County woman was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to bank fraud and aggravated identity theft in a scheme involving stolen and altered business checks. A U.S. district court judge also ordered her to pay a $2,500 fine and $300 in special assessments.
According to court documents, the woman obtained business checks stolen from the U.S. Postal Service, altered them and deposited the fraudulent checks into accounts belonging to co-conspirators and into her own accounts. Funds were withdrawn before financial institutions could identify the checks as fraudulent. The scheme resulted in approximately $1 million in losses and affected hundreds of businesses and individuals. Read more.
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Hotel Deadline Approaching for HR and Marketing Conferences
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Planning to attend the 2026 HR Professionals Institute or the Marketing Conference & Customer Insights Workshop? Make sure to secure your room at the DeSoto before the group rate deadline on March 3 (less than two weeks away).
Both conferences will run concurrently in Savannah, offering role-specific learning during the day and shared general sessions, advocacy updates and a networking reception designed to strengthen collaboration across your bank.
The HR Professionals Institute features sessions on talent development, retention, employment law, leadership and workplace culture, along with peer exchange and networking opportunities.
The Marketing Conference & Customer Insights Workshop opens with a live, expert-moderated customer insights and focus group workshop, followed by sessions on social media strategy, creativity, AI-powered board reporting and idea sharing with peers.
With Savannah as the backdrop, these conferences promise practical takeaways and meaningful connections. Check out this year's conference agendas and register (and don’t forget to book your room at the DeSoto by March 3 to secure the group rate).
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Business Cash Flow Analysis Seminar in Tifton Three Weeks Away
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The GBA Business Cash Flow Analysis Seminar is coming up March 12. Commercial bankers can join their peers at the Georgia Chamber of Commerce Center for Rural Prosperity in Tifton to boost their lending confidence with this hands-on seminar designed to sharpen cash flow analysis skills and enhance lending performance. Led by Peter Faser, business strategy advisor with The Profitability Coach and chairman of the Georgia Banking School Board of Directors, this full-day program provides practical tools to assess business repayment capacity and make more confident credit decisions.
Through a mix of lecture and interactive casework, attendees will learn how to:
- Identify key financial trends and cash flow drivers
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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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Registration Now Open for Ops/Tech Peer Group Meeting May 4 in Macon
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It's time to sign up for the spring Operations & Technology Peer Group meeting. The meeting is May 4 at the Methodist Home for Children and Youth in Macon and Jaye Eubanks, United Bank and Operations & Technology Committee member, will facilitate the meeting covering industry hot topics. Participants can help shape the discussion by submitting hot topics during the registration process.
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State Association Partner Programs on GenAI and Sales Management
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In partnership with the Utah Bankers Association, GBA members can take advantage of upcoming virtual programs designed to deliver practical tools and fresh perspectives for today’s banking environment.
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Everyday GenAI for Bankers: Practical Applications You Can Use Today
March 25 | 10:30–11:30 a.m. MT | Virtual
Designed for bankers at every level — from frontline staff to executive leadership — this session explores real-world applications of generative AI in banking. Attendees will gain practical, easy-to-implement strategies that can enhance efficiency, improve communication and support smarter decision-making across the institution.
Cost: $195 per person or $185 per person for groups of three or more.
View event details and register.
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| Performance Management and Creating a “No Excuses” Sales Environment
March 30 | 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. MT | Virtual
This program is geared toward managers and leaders in commercial, retail and business banking, wealth management, and CEOs. Participants will explore strategies to strengthen performance management and foster a culture of accountability that drives consistent sales results. This session is the first in a three-part Anthony Cole sales webinar series, which also includes:
- High Touch Coaching in a High-Tech, Remote World (April 20)
- Motivate Your Bankers from Good to Great (May 18)
Cost: $225 per session. View event details and register. (Or register for all three programs in the series and save $75!)
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| More Events and Training Opportunities Coming up
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Operations and Technology Conference
- Feb. 25-27, The DeSoto, Savannah
Compliance Peer Group Meeting - March 11, Methodist Home for Children & Youth, Macon
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Breaking into Banking 201: Analyzing Repayment Sources - March 25, Zoom Webinar
- Bank Security Conference - April 13-15, The Westin Jekyll Island
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GBA Compliance School - April 26 - May 1, University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education & Hotel, Athens
Rural Development and Lending Conference - May 18-19, The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort, St. Simons
2026 Annual Meeting - June 7-9, The Cloister, Sea Island
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ONLINE LEARNING – GREAT FOR FUNDAMENTALS TRAINING
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The GENIUS Act & Stablecoins, Bank Accounting Basics, Intro to Model Risk Management and More
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Take a look at online training opportunities available to GBA members from OnCourse Learning and the American Bankers Association:
Self-paced courses, certificates and reference guides:
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Strengthen Front-Line Expertise with the ABA Bank Teller Certificate
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Investing in teller development is an investment in the customer experience. The ABA Bank Teller Certificate equips frontline staff with the essential skills needed to serve customers confidently and accurately.
Available to GBA members for $695, the program builds core competencies in cash handling, check cashing, deposits and withdrawals, cash payments, daily settlements and proof transactions. Participants also gain a broader understanding of bank products, strengthen interpersonal communication skills and reinforce principles of professional conduct and relationship-building.
The certificate includes a series of required courses and suites covering banking fundamentals, teller operations, workplace conduct, ethics and written, verbal and online communication. The estimated time to complete the program is approximately 10 hours.
Participants may also earn credits toward select professional certifications, adding value for career advancement.
Learn more and view all ABA certificate programs.
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PARTNERS, PRODUCTS & ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
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SUBMISSION DEADLINE IS MARCH 6
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2026 Banking Benefits and Human Resources Policies Survey Closing Soon
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In partnership with Pearl Meyer, the 2026 Banking Benefits and Human Resources Policies Survey is now open. If you did not receive a participation email, contact Rhonda Snyder at rhonda.snyder@pearlmeyer.com.
The survey covers PTO and leave policies, health and wellness benefits, FSAs, disability and life insurance, retirement plans, work-life and retiree benefits, payroll and organizational costs, and work-from-home practices. A dedicated Bank Executive Benefits & Perquisites section is also included; only banks that complete this section will receive those results.
Key Dates and Pricing:
- Survey Effective Date: Jan. 1, 2026
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Submission Due Date: March 6, 2026
- Survey Results Published: Week of May 11, 2026
- $750 for participants.
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Abrigo Adds Real-Time ACH Fraud Detection to its Financial Crimes Suite
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GBA Strategic Partner Abrigo is proud to introduce its real-time ACH fraud detection solution, now part of the Abrigo Fraud Detection Suite. As ACH is a growing area of payment fraud, this enhancement supports customer compliance with the Nacha risk management framework for ACH fraud, and extends protection for banks beyond check and wire transactions. Key features include:
- Unified ACH data for greater visibility
- Advanced real-time detection engine
- Self-service rules creation and configuration
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Complete view of each transaction.
Also, be sure to check out these upcoming free webinars from Abrigo:
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ASSOCIATE MEMBER WOLF & COMPANY
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Are You Guilty of These 3 SOC Report Review Mistakes?
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Reviewing SOC reports effectively is essential for strong vendor risk management. GBA Associate Member Wolf & Company shared a recent post highlighting three common pitfalls that can undermine oversight of third-party controls. First, reviewers often misunderstand the scope of SOC reports, overlooking whether all relevant services and control areas are covered. Second, delays in reviewing issued reports reduce their usefulness and can postpone necessary actions, especially when deficiencies are noted. Finally, many banks fail to act on findings. Without documented escalation or follow-up processes, issues can go unresolved, increasing exposure. Learn more here.
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Compliance Alliance Question of the Week
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Question: Does our Trust & Wealth Management Department have to file CTRs?
Answer: No matter how your bank’s Trust & Wealth Management Department is structured, it’s probably already filing something. But, depending on how it’s structured, the specific reporting obligations may differ. In most cases, the trust operation either already is (or soon will be) subject to FinCEN reporting requirements. The starting point is 31 CFR §§ 1010.310 through 1010.314, which impose reporting requirements for transactions in currency on “financial institutions.” As the regulation states…read more here.
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Alpharetta - Touchmark National Bank
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Touchmark Bancshares Inc., the holding company for Touchmark National Bank, disclosed that its formal agreement with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency was terminated effective Feb. 17.
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Joel Higdon has been promoted to chief retail officer. Read more.
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Raj Gazula has joined the bank as chief administrative officer for the Payments: Merchant and Institutional team.
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Buford - Peoples Bank & Trust
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The bank has been named Best of Gwinnett's Best Bank for the second consecutive year.
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Calhoun - North Georgia National Bank, a Division of Millennium Bank
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Tiffany Thompson has joined the bank’s main office team as a teller.
| Hilton Head, SC / Charleston, SC / Savannah - Coastal States Bank
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Charlie Labassi has joined the bank as treasury services relationship banker. Read more.
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Johns Creek - Loyal Trust Bank
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David Kim has joined the bank team as a relationship banker.
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Milledgeville - Century Bank and Trust
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Sarah Beth McMillan has been promoted to vice president, marketing director. Read more.
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April Brackin has been appointed office manager of the Savannah Quarters branch. Read more.
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Ray City - Bank of Alapaha
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The bank officially broke ground on its new Ray City branch Feb. 3. Read more.
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Connie Mathis has been promoted to executive vice president and chief financial officer. Read more.
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The executive compensation consulting and leadership advisory announced that Jayson Traxler has been named chief executive officer. He succeeds Beth Florin, is retiring after more than 25 years with Pearl Meyer. Read more.
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Washington, D.C. - American Bankers Association
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Lia Fordjour has been named chief financial officer, and Tifany Pedersen has been named head of marketing. Read more.
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| The bank sponsored the ESP Big Hearts Gala at The Classic Center in Athens celebrating 40 years of the organization’s impact.
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Bainbridge - First Port City Bank
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The bank’s Employee Contribution Committee made a donation to I See My Baby and its mission to care for local women and families. The donation will support their food pantry and women’s care packages.
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Cordele - Planters First Bank
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The bank hosted local child author Karter Jane for a signing event for her first book, Sloth Goes to Savannah.
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Savannah - Queensborough National Bank and Trust Co.
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Bank team members spent time reading to kids during Read United Day with United Way of the Coastal Empire.
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| Bank team members participated in Taliaferro County Career Day, connecting with students K-12 and sharing how the bank builds careers and relationships that make a difference in its communities.
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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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