We look forward to hosting our members at this month's GBA events!
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BankPAC Pickleball Paddle Battle - Aug. 27, Rhythm & Rally, Macon
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GBA is teaming up once again with Rhythm & Rally Sports & Events in Macon for the second-annual GBA BankPAC Pickleball Paddle Battle benefiting the GBA StatePAC*. Held at the world’s largest indoor pickleball facility, this event offers an afternoon of networking, friendly competition and fun. Players of all skill levels are welcome. Enjoy lunch, giveaways and plenty of action.
Registration is $100 per player and includes tournament play, paddle and balls, water/snacks and lunch. The tournament will feature doubles competition (same-gender or mixed) in a round-robin format. Individual registrants are welcome and will be paired with another player.
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* 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 may be made by an individual, from bank funds if you are a state-chartered bank, or from a national bank holding company using funds not derived from national bank operations.
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ASSET/LIABILITY MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS
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Internal Audit Peer Group Meeting - May 14, Methodist Home for Children & Youth, Macon
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Designed exclusively for bank internal auditors, this in-person forum brings peers together to collaborate, share ideas and gain practical guidance on today’s most pressing internal audit issues. Experts from Elliott Davis will lead sessions about BSA model governance and validation practices, oversight of outsourced loan review providers, emerging credit trends and recent FDICIA changes. The program also includes a moderated roundtable discussion to encourage open dialogue and peer-driven insights you can apply immediately at your institution. Registration includes lunch.
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BSA Peer Group Meeting - July 22, Middle Georgia State University, Macon
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Led by Kristen Stogniew, shareholder and leader of Saltmarsh’s Financial Institution Consulting practice, this interactive session will explore industry hot topics and best practices to strengthen your bank’s BSA/AML/CFT and OFAC programs.
Conveniently located at the Robert F. Hatcher, Sr. Conference Center on the Middle Georgia State University – Macon Campus, this centrally located venue offers easy access for members across the state.
Attendees are encouraged to submit discussion topics during registration to ensure meaningful and relevant peer conversations.
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Understanding Bank Performance - Virtual Training
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Join peers from more than 30 state bankers associations around the country in a unique Understanding Bank Performance program, a virtual five-session course designed to enhance your ability to interpret bank financials and key performance metrics. GBA partners with the Washington Bankers Association to make the program available to our members.
Who Should Attend? This program is perfect for new bankers looking to build a solid foundation, as well as experienced bankers seeking to deepen their financial analysis skills.
Flexible & Convenient: Attend virtually, with sessions running Thursdays and Fridays in July and October.
Learn more and sign up using the following links:
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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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LENDING, CREDIT AND UNDERWRITING PROGRAMS
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Rural Development and Lending Conference - May 18-19, The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort, St. Simons
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There's still time to join the crowd at the GBA 2026 Rural Development and Lending Conference. Planned by GBA’s Agriculture Committee, Will Moore, WB&T Bankshares, Inc., chair, and Lisa Hodges, Morris Bank, vice chair, the conference will provide updates about peanuts, beef, timber, vegetables, crop insurance and more. Secure your spot today!
Thank you to our Platinum Sponsor CSRA Business Lending and Silver Sponsor Point to Point Environmental.
Sessions include:
- Peanut Update - Marshall Lamb, Ph.D., research leader, the National Peanut Research Laboratory
- Beef Update - Will Secor, Agricultural & Applied Economics, UGA
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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
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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.
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Farm Labor - Ellen Hendley, vice president, AGWORKS H2.
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Bryan Stern (right) with a Grey Bull Rescue team member
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2026 Annual Meeting - June 7-9, The Cloister, Sea Island
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A great crowd is building for our 2026 Annual Meeting. We’ve got lots of great things planned for our return to Sea Island, which represents our first time back since 2021. We hope you’re planning to join us as we welcome our bankers home to the warmth and southern hospitality of Georgia. Our closing speaker this summer is a definite don’t-miss. The founder and chairman of Grey Bull Rescue, Bryan Stern, will join us. Grey Bull Rescue is a veteran-led, donor-funded nonprofit dedicated to saving Americans and allies from war zones, disaster areas and denied regions where government or traditional aid cannot reach. Stern is a combat veteran and crisis response leader with more than 25 years of service in the U.S. Army and Navy. He is a Purple Heart recipient, 9/11 survivor and First Responder who has led operations in some of the world’s most dangerous environments. He specializes in special operations, high-risk hostage rescue and evacuation missions behind enemy lines. Be sure you are in your seat Tuesday morning to hear Bryan’s incredible stories.
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A big thanks to these Associate Members who are supporting the event through sponsorship:
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Presenting Sponsors: BHG Financial, Performance Trust Capital Partners and Profit Resources
- Platinum Sponsors: EBS; FHN Financial; Nichols, Cauley & Associates; Olsen Palmer; ServisFirst Bank; and United Bankers' Bank
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Gold Sponsors: Alston & Bird; American Bankers Association; BankOnITUSA, a UFS Company; Centrant Community Capital; CRS Data; Elliott Davis; Fenimore Kay Harrison; First Stop Health; HHM CPAs; Jack Henry; James Bates Brannan Groover; Mauldin & Jenkins; McNair, McLemore, Middlebrooks & Co.; Ncontracts; Steve H. Powell & Company; The First National Bankers Bank; Troutman Pepper Locke; and Wolf & Company
- Silver Sponsors: Atlantic Community Bankers Bank; Baker Tilly; CSI; Diebold Nixdorf; FHLBank Atlanta; Intersect Technology Group; Merit Financial Advisors; ModernFi; Partners Benefit Group; Payroc; PointeNorth Insurance; Raymond James; Stifel; Travelers Insurance Company; and Wipfli.
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Leadership Conference - July 13-15, The Omni Amelia Island, FL
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The GBA Leadership Conference is thoughtfully designed to cultivate Georgia’s emerging bank leaders—equipping them for success while encouraging meaningful professional and personal growth.
Celebrated for its authentic, relationship-driven atmosphere, the Leadership Conference offers a dynamic blend of impactful learning and relaxed connection. This year’s experience is elevated even further as we gather at the newly refreshed and reimagined Omni Amelia Island Resort—an inspiring coastal setting that’s ideal for both productivity and downtime.
Explore everything the conference has to offer—from engaging sessions and networking opportunities to family-friendly highlights like Kids’ Night Out and the Burger Bash Reception and Dinner. Registration packages are available for members, spouses/guests, and children (Two-Dinner Packages are offered based on age), making it easy to bring the whole family along.
We encourage you to secure your accommodations early, as rooms are expected to fill quickly. Helpful booking tips, full conference details, and registration information are all available online.
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Exhibit space and sponsorship opportunities remain available, with a range of options to suit your organization’s goals; click here for sponsorship information and click here to see the list of available options. We extend our sincere appreciation to the Associate Members who have already committed their support:
- Presenting Sponsors: CSRA Business Lending, First Stop Health, Point to Point Environmental
- Platinum Sponsors: Anthem, CRS Data, Steve H. Powell & Co.
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Gold Sponsors: FHLBank Atlanta, ServisFirst Bank
- Silver Sponsors: Baker Tilly; The First National Bankers Bank; McNair, McLemore, Middlebrooks & Co.; Troutman Pepper Locke; Wipfli.
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Women in Banking Conference - Aug. 13-14, Chateau Elan Winery & Resort, Braselton
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Calling all GBA member women bankers, Strategic Partners, Associate Members, Bank Accountant and Bank Counsel members! The GBA Women in Banking Conference delivers a dynamic mix of educational sessions that deepen professional knowledge and encourage personal growth. Attendees consistently share that the Women in Banking Conference is both a professional milestone and a personal highlight. See the detailed conference agenda.
No matter your role or goals, you'll find opportunities to learn, connect and stretch yourself. You will leave energized, grateful and better equipped to face the daily challenges of work, home, and life!
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A huge thank you to these Associate Members who are already showing their event support through sponsorship:
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Sapphire Sponsor: CRS Data
- Diamond Sponsor: Profit Resources
- Silver Sponsors: FHLBank Atlanta; Kristopher James Company; McNair, McLemore, Middlebrooks & Co.; Troutman Pepper Locke; and Wipfli.
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Bank PR & Crisis Communications - May 7 & 14 Webinar Series
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Bank communications professionals are invited to strengthen their media and crisis response skills through an upcoming two-part Bank PR & Crisis Communications Webinar Series. Hosted in partnership with the Oregon Bankers Association, this virtual series offers practical guidance for navigating proactive media outreach as well as high-pressure crisis situations. Led by veteran journalists and communications experts Tom Unger and Dave Thompson, the sessions provide a behind-the-scenes look at newsroom expectations and how banks can respond effectively when issues arise.
Designed for professionals in marketing, communications, media relations and public affairs — particularly those newer to communications roles — the series offers flexible registration options. Participants may register for individual sessions or the full series, with recordings available for those unable to attend live.
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OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS
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Operations and Technology Peer Group - May 4, Methodist Home for Children & Youth, Macon
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Jaye Eubanks of United Bank, a GBA 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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Information Security Officer 101 Seminar - June 23, Middle Georgia State University, Macon
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This in-depth program explores the growing responsibilities of the Information Security Officer in today’s complex regulatory and cybersecurity environment. Led by Paige Hembree, the seminar will review the FFIEC mandate for the ISO role, best practices and evolving industry standards, and practical strategies for separating ISO and IT management responsibilities.
Attendees will gain insight into cybersecurity management risks and rewards, business continuity and third-party risk management challenges, and how recent cyber-attacks have reshaped expectations for ISOs during a crisis. The program also covers effective communication with employees, customers, the IT steering committee, the board of directors, auditors and examiners to ensure a coordinated security posture. Register today to strengthen your bank’s governance, risk management and resilience while connecting with peers from across the state.
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Fraud Academy - Aug. 18-20, Hyatt Regency, Lexington, KY, or Virtual
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This annual two-day intensive hosted by the Kentucky Bankers Association is led by U.S. Secret Service agents, federal investigators and fraud prevention specialists and is designed to equip banking professionals to become the first line of defense against fraud.
The program covers more than 18 fraud risk areas, including check fraud, elder fraud, cybercrime and AI-driven schemes. Attendees will gain insight into how fraudsters exploit gaps in defenses, how to recognize emerging patterns and how to stop threats before customers and institutions suffer losses.
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Can’t travel? A fully immersive live-stream option features real-time Q&A sessions, digital handouts and professional high-definition production. Register online at FraudAcademyHQ.com and strengthen your institution’s fraud-fighting strategy.
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Webinars from National Experts
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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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