Congress Approves President Trump’s “One, Big Beautiful Bill”
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On Thursday afternoon, the House passed a large budget reconciliation package, the “One, Big Beautiful Bill” Act, by a vote of 218–214. The bill permanently extends many of the 2017 tax cuts that were set to expire at year-end and advances many of President Trump’s other domestic policy priorities. Earlier this week, the Senate narrowly advanced the bill, with Vice President J.D. Vance casting a tie-breaking vote. Since both chambers have now passed the bill, it heads to President Trump’s desk to be signed into law.
The legislation includes a partial adoption of the ACRE Act, aimed at reducing credit costs for rural communities and agricultural producers—long a legislative priority for GBA. It also includes a permanent extension of the 199A pass-through deduction rate of 20% for Subchapter S banks; a permanent and enhanced Low-Income Housing Tax Credit; and a permanent extension of estate and gift tax exemptions along with other industry-supported tax provisions.
Additionally, the bill reduces the CFPB’s funding by $2 billion by lowering its funding cap from 12% to 6.5%. For banks working with farmers and agribusinesses, increased funding for commodity support programs—to assist farmers as crop prices remain near historic lows—bolstered federal crop insurance programs, and a new poultry insurance pilot program will be beneficial.
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GBA Joins Call to Modernize Supervisory Asset Thresholds
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The Georgia Bankers Association, along with the American Bankers Association and 51 other state associations, sent a letter this week to federal regulators to adjust supervisory asset thresholds to account for inflation and economic growth. Many thresholds, such as the $10 billion level that triggers extra regulatory requirements, have not been updated in years and now capture banks that were never meant to face such heavy burdens. This change would let Georgia banks focus on serving local communities and supporting the state’s economy without facing disproportionate compliance challenges.
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The Georgia Bankers Association has a new home in Midtown Atlanta. You can now find us at the FHLBank Atlanta building, 1475 Peachtree St. NE, 8th Floor, Suite 800, Atlanta, GA 30309. Kevin Wyckoff and all our friends at FHLBank Atlanta have made us feel very welcome as we’ve been getting settled in. We’re excited to continue serving Georgia’s banking industry from this new space, connecting bankers and advocating for our members across the state. Stop by and see us when you’re in the area!
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OCC Spring 2025 Risk Update
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The OCC’s latest Semiannual Risk Perspective report shows overall strength in the banking system but highlights areas for caution. No real surprises here, but it’s a good review of general conditions nationally that also may be playing out in member bank markets.
Positive Trends
- Strong capital and liquidity — Banks remain well-capitalized with high liquidity levels.
- Improved margins — Net interest margins increased as funding costs dropped.
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Stable consumer credit — Most borrowers continue to manage higher prices and rates.
Key Risks
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Commercial credit pressure — Higher rates, economic uncertainty and CRE weaknesses raise default and refinance risks, especially for office properties.
- Cyber and operational threats — Sophisticated cyberattacks and fraud schemes, including ATM “jackpotting,” continue to challenge banks’ security and resilience.
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Compliance stress — Rising fraud levels, evolving fintech partnerships and complex new products are increasing demands on BSA/AML and consumer compliance programs.
Read the full report here.
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Pipe Bomber Convicted After ATM Explosion, $88K Theft
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A DeKalb County man has been convicted of using a pipe bomb to blow up an ATM and steal nearly $90,000, following a federal investigation here in Georgia. Federal prosecutors said the defendant used a pipe bomb to destroy an ATM in Decatur on March 29, 2023, before taking $88,000 from the vault. Investigators later recovered additional pipe bombs during a search of his home.
The defendant was found guilty on multiple charges, including bank theft, use of an explosive to commit a felony, arson and possession of unregistered destructive devices. Sentencing is set for Sept. 22, with the defendant facing a mandatory minimum of 15 years and up to 60 years in prison.
Federal officials emphasized that using explosives for financial crimes will be prosecuted aggressively to protect public safety and community stability. Read more.
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Status of Important Cases for July 2025
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The latest ABA Newsbytes Banking Docket is now available. Read about the status of important cases here. Each article contains a “Read more” link with access to additional details on the issues, case summaries and links to related documents.
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Women in Banking Conference – Act Soon to Reserve Your Spot and Room!
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We have a wonderful crowd of women bankers and Associate Members building for our 11th-annual Women in Banking Conferenc, Aug. 14-15 at the Chateau Elan Winery & Resort in Braselton. There’s still time for you to join us, but rooms at Chateau Elan are becoming limited, so reserve yours soon!
Cap off your summer by joining this exceptional community of women as we gather for a dynamic mix of educational sessions that deepen knowledge and interactive discussions encouraging community-building and personal growth. It’s this unique blend of learning and connection that creates the high-energy, collaborative atmosphere our attendees value year after year. Participants consistently share that the Women in Banking Conference is both a professional milestone and a personal highlight. Don’t miss this!
Click here to see the conference website, register and reserve your room. A huge thanks to our event sponsors – click here to see the complete list. Contact GBA's Kathy Friestad with questions about the conference or reserving your sponsorship.
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Registration Now Open! South Georgia Community Bank Symposium
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We’re excited to announce that registration is now open for our fall South Georgia Community Bank Symposium Oct. 8 at Valdosta State University. It’s our pleasure to partner with VSU's Harley Langdale Jr. College of Business Administration on this regional symposium. The event features experts who focus on the important issues facing the banking industry, opportunities for partnership with the University in developing students interested in banking careers and a specific focus on south Georgia. It’s a great event for learning and networking for all bankers. The program is in development, but go ahead and reserve your spot today.
Who Should Attend:
- CEOs and Presidents
- Board Members
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Management Teams
- Lenders and Retail Business Development Officers
- HR and Marketing Teams
- Others with Customer-Facing and Community Responsibilities
The symposium will be from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Lunch is included in the $175 registration fee. Watch the GBA Bulletin for updates on speakers as they’re confirmed.
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Registration Now Open: New Account Documentation & Compliance Bootcamp
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Attend one or both days! Registration is now open for the New Account Documentation & Compliance Bootcamp Oct. 8-9 at Middle Georgia State University in Macon.
Protecting your institution starts at the new account desk—and this highly interactive two-day bootcamp is designed to help you do just that. Tailored to Georgia laws, this program equips frontline staff, supervisors and compliance professionals with the knowledge and tools to confidently open and manage consumer, business and trust accounts while staying fully compliant with state and federal regulations.
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Registration Opening Soon!
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More Events and Training Opportunities Coming up
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WEBINARS – GREAT FOR FUNDAMENTALS TRAINING
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Hot Topics in IT Examinations, Small Bank Community Reinvestment Act Workshop, Opening Business Accounts and More
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Here’s a sampling of upcoming webinars.
Want to see the full webinar schedule?
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PARTNERS, PRODUCTS & ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
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FREE WEBINAR JULY 22 AT 11 A.M.
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Q3 2025 Outlook - Banks and Fintech Navigate Volatility with Renewed Optimism
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Join experts from GBA Strategic Partner S&P Global for a one-hour webinar on the Q3 outlook for U.S. banks and fintech. As net interest margins improve and assets reprice, banks face uncertainty from tariffs and credit risks. Easing regulation and fintech collaboration provide optimism. The session will cover deposit trends, credit quality, earnings prospects, and the evolving role of fintech, including Banking-as-a-Service, stablecoins and real-time payments.
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FREE WEBINAR JULY 24 AT 2 P.M.
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Mid-Year Compliance Check-In/What 2025’s Regulatory Shifts Mean for Your Bank
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The first half of 2025 brought about rapid changes to bank regulation, and these changes are reshaping compliance priorities for the remainder of the year. Join GBA Strategic Partner Ncontracts’ experts for a breakdown of what’s happened so far, what’s still in play and how it all impacts your bank’s exam readiness.
From executive orders and Section 1071 delays to shifting CFPB enforcement focus, they’ll help you connect the dots and plan with confidence. Highlights will include:
- Which regulatory priorities have gained momentum, and which have stalled
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How CFPB and other enforcement changes could affect your compliance strategy
- Key developments around fee caps, digital payments, and fair lending
- What to expect in upcoming exams and how to stay a step ahead
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Lawrenceville - Embassy National Bank
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Theresa Merkley has joined the bank as a branch manager.
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Milledgeville - Exchange Bank
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Jessica Elliott has been promoted to vice president of accounting operations. Read more.
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Savannah - Coastal States Bank
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Jeremy Summerell has joined the bank as market president in Savannah.
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| Savannah - Great Oaks Bank
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Phillip Anderson has been appointed executive vice president and Savannah market executive. Read more.
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Thomasville - TC Federal Bank
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Kayanna Sherrod has been promoted to call center/deposit operations specialist, and Angie Odom has been promoted to call center representative.
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Watkinsville - Oconee State Bank
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Cade Burke has joined the bank as a credit administration specialist.
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Claxton - The Claxton Bank
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Bank team members Scott Verlander, Kimberly Sole and Mary-Mac Chown hosted a financial literacy workshop at Sanctuary on 8th Street with a group of middle schoolers at summer camp.
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| The bank hosted students from the Putnam County Charter School System Summer Inspiration camp at its Lake Oconee branch. The students got a behind-the-scenes look at the bank and practical tips on financial literacy.
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Perry - SunMark Community Bank
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The bank donated $1,000 to the Houston County Board of Education for the REACH scholarship program.
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Thomasville - TC Federal Bank
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The bank hosted students from the Imagine Thomasville iLEAD program. Kevin Vick, Cindy Weier and CEO Greg Eiford shared insights on community banking and the impact local institutions can have.
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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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