Annual Meeting Starts Sunday
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To borrow a sports metaphor, GBA’s Annual Meeting is a home game this year and the fans are loving it. We’ve got a door-buster crowd of more than 530 members, family and guests descending on Sea Island beginning Sunday for our annual celebration of Georgia’s banking industry. In addition to the association’s annual business meeting to elect officers and install board members, members of the GBA Insurance Trust will elect directors, and GBA Retirement Services will share important updates. The agenda is full of timely content and discussions, but there will also be plenty of time for peer connection and networking. Check out this video of our closing speaker, Bryan Stern, of Grey Bull Rescue. Coverage and photos from the weekend will be featured in next week’s GBA Bulletin.
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Vote in Georgia Primary Runoff Elections
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Following last month’s primary elections in Georgia, there are several runoffs happening soon. Early voting for these elections is June 8-12 and election day is June 16. Please encourage your team members to vote. The Georgia Secretary of State’s My Voter Page is a good resource for viewing a sample ballot and polling locations. With runoffs in the races for U.S. Senate, Governor and Lt. Governor, among others, this is a critical year to be heard on behalf of your community and the banking industry as a whole. With questions, please call Tripp Cofield at 617.909.9530, Bo Brannen at 404.731.9886 or Elizabeth Chandler at 404.372.7893.
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Survey Shows Consumer Support for Stablecoin Safeguards
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As GBA and banking industry partners continue advocating for guardrails that prevent stablecoin issuers from offering interest-like rewards that could pull deposits from community banks, a new American Bankers Association survey suggests consumers share those concerns. The Morning Consult survey found broad support for protecting local lending and ensuring digital asset regulations do not undermine the banking system.
Survey highlights:
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3-to-1 support for prohibiting stablecoin interest or rewards programs that could reduce community bank lending.
- 7 in 10 consumers worry about policies that could limit banks' capacity to lend in their communities.
- 6-to-1 support for stablecoin policies that do not weaken community banks or the broader financial system.
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90% of Americans do not own stablecoins, and only 17% expect to use them in the next year.
- Read more here.
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Interchange Restriction Efforts Hit Roadblocks in Illinois and Colorado
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The banking industry received two encouraging updates this week as two state-level interchange-restriction bills encountered significant setbacks. In Illinois, a federal judge issued a permanent injunction blocking key provisions of the state's Interchange Fee Prohibition Act after the OCC concluded that federal law preempts the act with respect to national banks and federal savings associations. The ruling came as Illinois lawmakers also voted to delay the law's implementation until 2027, further clouding its future. Meanwhile, in Colorado, Gov. Jared Polis vetoed legislation that would have prohibited interchange fees on the sales tax portion of card transactions. The measure, modeled in part on the Illinois law, drew strong opposition from bank and payments stakeholders, who warned it would create operational challenges and disrupt the payments system. These developments are noteworthy because interchange legislation has also been introduced in Georgia in recent years. While the issue remains concerning, recent events highlight the substantial legal, operational and implementation hurdles facing state-level interchange mandates, which GBA will continue to oppose.
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Regional Economic Growth Mirrors National Trends
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The Federal Reserve’s May 2026 Beige Book reports that the Southeast saw modest economic growth, closely tracking national trends. For bankers, key takeaways include moderate loan growth, driven by specialized lending, while consumer lending and credit card demand declined. Delinquencies on consumer loans ticked up, echoing a national pattern of rising financial strain among middle- and lower-income households.
Deposit levels and liquidity improved, but bankers should note that price and nonlabor cost pressures are rising, especially from oil and shipping. Commercial real estate activity was flat, with some stress in residential markets due to higher rates and buyer hesitancy. Like other regions, the Southeast faces cautious consumer spending and increased demand for social services, signaling potential credit risks. Overall, the region’s banking environment remains steady but warrants close monitoring for emerging risks.
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Regulators Continue Shift Toward Objective Risk Measures
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Federal banking agencies this week announced additional steps to remove "reputational risk" from interagency documents as part of a broader push to prevent alleged "debanking." It also reinforces a broader trend toward evaluating banks based on measurable safety and soundness risks rather than subjective concerns. The announcement echoes themes GBA leaders heard directly from federal regulators during May meetings in Washington, D.C., where agency officials emphasized a renewed focus on objective, risk-based supervision. The OCC and FDIC have now finalized actions eliminating reputational risk as a standalone supervisory factor and instead emphasizing traditional risks such as credit, liquidity and operational risk. Read details here.
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Status of Important Cases for June 2026
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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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Congrats to Nine GSBLSU Graduates from Georgia
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Join us in celebrating the success of nine Georgia bankers who graduated from the Graduate School of Banking at LSU last week. Congratulations to:
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- Miguel Alandete, First Horizon Bank, Atlanta
- David Berdugo, Huntington Bank, Atlanta
- Deon Coombs, Tandem Bank, a division of Georgia Banking Company, Tucker
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Cody Elder, First Horizon Bank, Atlanta
- Thomas Hamlin, MCBANK, Atlanta
- Miller Heath, First American Bank & Trust, Athens
- Cole Pitts, First National Bank, Moultrie
- Bradley Sackett, Anchor Bank, LaGrange
- Derek Smith, First Southern Bank, Waycross
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Mark Your Calendars for 2026 Georgia Peanut Bank Week, Oct. 19-23
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GBA members in communities all over the state will celebrate Georgia peanuts later this Fall during the annual Georgia Peanut Bank Week, co-sponsored by GBA and the Georgia Peanut Commission. This year's theme is, “Peanuts…Georgia’s Golden Investment.” Our friends at the Peanut Commission have already designed a great-looking promotional flyer that you are welcome to download here. Get the word out early in preparation for what is sure to be a fun and festive time for all. Please contact Maddie Frost at bankweek@gapeanuts.com or 229.326.0141 if you have any questions.
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Compensation Survey Due Date Extended to June 19
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Are you ready to elevate your HR strategy and stay ahead in managing your employee compensation programs? The GBA Compensation Survey is here to provide you with the support you need. We are pleased to announce that the submission deadline has been extended to June 19, giving you more time to participate. To receive access to the survey materials, contact Rhonda Snyder at rhonda.snyder@pearlmeyer.com. Also, if bandwidth is an issue, email Rhonda, as Pearl Meyer can help your bank with data entry.
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Dates to Remember:
- Survey Effective Date: April 1, 2026
- Extended Submission Due Date: June 19, 2026
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Results Published: Week of Aug. 10, 2026
Pricing:
- Participants: $650
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Non-Participants: $1,495
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Peer Panel, Industry Wellness Checkup and Lots of Practical Tips in Store at Leadership Conference
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We’ve got a great crowd building for our Leadership Conference July 13-15 at the Omni Amelia Island. Check out some of these agenda highlights.
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Georgia Banking Environment: 2026 Mid-Year Wellness Check — Cal Evans, Synovus
- How Your Bank Can Get in the AI Game — Philip Williams, The Claxton Bank; Jaye Eubanks, United Bank; Ben Nichols, Upstate AI; Ajay John, CSI
- Tokenized Money: What’s Real, What’s Next — Kaye Lynch-Sparks, American Bankers Association
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The Leadership Imperative: Best Practices in Professional Development for Current and Future Bank Leaders — Mike Fitzgerald, Fitzgerald MIS Peak Performance Consulting; Lori Tucker, United Bank; Brannen Smith, Morris Bank, a division of Vallant Bank
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Leading Through Pressure: Building Trust, Accountability, and Results — Mike Oster, professional speaker, trainer and bestselling author
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Step Into the ISO Spotlight - June 23, Macon
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Stay ahead of today’s fast-changing cybersecurity and regulatory landscape with this practical seminar for Information Security Officers and bank leaders. Learn how the ISO role is evolving, what regulators expect, and how to strengthen your institution’s security and risk management strategy. Led by Navanta's Paige Hembree, this seminar delivers practical, real-world insight drawn from more than 15 years in financial services and hands-on experience as a virtual ISO lead. Learning will include:
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- FFIEC expectations and the evolving ISO role
- Cybersecurity, incident response and crisis management
- Business continuity and third-party risk guidance
- Defining responsibilities between ISO and IT management
- Communicating effectively with boards, auditors and regulators.
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Registration Now Open for Fan-Favorite Lending Seminars in Macon
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Personal Cash Flow - Oct. 7, MGSU, Macon
Join Shannon Fortson, executive vice president and chief credit officer at Vallant Bank, for an in-depth, comprehensive understanding on how to analyze personal cash flow and personal tax returns. Learn how to calculate sources and uses of personal cash flow to support a borrower’s loan request to ensure a strong and healthy loan portfolio. Get all the details and register here.
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Loan Structuring and Documentation for Loss Prevention Seminar - Oct. 8, MGSU, Macon
Fortson returns for this loan structuring and documentation seminar. Prevention of loan losses is crucial and begins with proper loan structuring and documentation techniques. Connect with peers and walk away with all the best tips and tools. Commercial loan officers, commercial loan personnel, loan assistants and closing specialists will benefit from this program. Get all the details and register here.
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Save the Dates for These Conferences
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2026 Financial Risk Management Conference
- Where: Courtyard Atlanta Decatur Downtown/Emory
- Date: Thursday, Nov. 5, through Friday, Nov. 6
Shout out to these early sponsors:
Sponsorships are still available! Contact Alison Moreau with questions about this or the conference.
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2026 Credit Conference
- Where: The DeSoto, Savannah
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Date: Thursday, Dec. 3, through Friday, Dec. 4
Grateful for the Associate Members who are already registered to sponsor or exhibit.
Sponsorships and exhibitor space are still available! Contact Alison Moreau.
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| More Events and Training Opportunities Coming up
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- 2026 Annual Meeting - June 7-9, The Cloister, Sea Island
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Information Security Officer 101 Seminar - June 23, Middle Georgia State University, Macon
- Understanding Bank Performance Webinar Series - July 9-31, Zoom
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Leadership Conference - July 13-15, The Omni Amelia Island, FL
- BSA Peer Group Meeting - July 22, Middle Georgia State University, Macon
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Fraud Academy - Aug. 18-20, Hyatt Regency, Lexington, KY, or Virtual
- Understanding Bank Performance Webinar Series - Oct. 1-23, Zoom
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President/CEO, Bank Accountant & Bank Counsel Conferences - Oct. 4-6, The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee
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ONLINE LEARNING – GREAT FOR FUNDAMENTALS TRAINING
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Loan Doc Mistakes, Opening Business Accounts 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.
Upcoming hot topic webinars:
Self-paced courses, certificates and reference guides:
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PARTNERS, PRODUCTS & ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
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GBA Strategic Partner Banc Card of America Offers the Best Local Support for Any Type of Merchant
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GBA-endorsed Banc Card of America offers valuable services to retailers, restaurants, hotels, B2B and online merchants, allowing them to accept all major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover and Diners Club), and online and offline debit cards. Best of all, one of their seven in-state, local representatives is never more than a short drive away from your bank or your merchant customers. Contact Jim Staples with Banc Card to find out how they can help, 770.314.3505, jstaples@banccard.com.
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Free Webinar June 16 at 2 p.m. - AI’s Expanding Role In AML & Fraud
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AI is rapidly transforming how banks detect, investigate and respond to financial crime. It’s also giving fraudsters new tools to exploit. Join the team from GBA Strategic Partner Abrigo on June 16 at 2 p.m. to explore how AI is accelerating fraud detection and AML monitoring, while also fueling emerging threats like deepfakes, synthetic identities and sophisticated payment scams. You’ll gain practical insight into:
- How leading institutions are using AI to enhance detection and investigations
- Strategies to break down silos between fraud and AML teams
- Governance and risk considerations for deploying AI responsibly
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What’s next in the rapidly evolving, AI-driven financial crime landscape.
Whether you’re just beginning your AI journey or looking to refine your strategy, this webinar will provide a forward-looking, practical roadmap for staying ahead.
Register here.
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My ALCO Meeting Is Broken: Four Steps to Rebuild
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ALCO meetings remain critical, but many have become overly routine—heavy on data and light on decision-making. In today’s environment of margin pressure and deposit competition, a more focused, strategic approach is needed. A recently submitted article by GBA Associate Member Darling Consulting Group offers the following four steps to strengthen ALCO effectiveness:
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Lead with the story - start with the bank’s top balance sheet challenges to frame the discussion and drive decisions.
- Turn data into insight - focus on actionable takeaways—not just reports—around funding costs, pricing, and liquidity.
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Simplify the materials - reduce volume and scenarios to keep attention on what matters most.
- Broaden engagement - include key business lines beyond finance to better align strategy with market conditions.
A more streamlined, forward-looking ALCO can better position banks to navigate ongoing uncertainty. Read the full article here.
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Alpharetta – Touchmark National Bank
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Christian Maldonado recently joined the bank as a commercial banker.
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Braselton - Exchange Bank
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Congratulations to the Directors, Officers and Staff at Exchange Bank for the opening of its new branch in Braselton this week. Read more here.
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Cleveland – Apex Banking Company of Georgia
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Hannah Adams recently joined the bank as Banking Officer/Operations Specialist..
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| Donalsonville – First Port City Bank
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Ryan Giddens recently joined the bank as Vice President/Lender at its Donalsonville branch.
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Rome – First National Community Bank
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Kayla McEntire was recently promoted to Banking Officer/Branch Manager in the downtown office. Read more here.
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Atlanta – Georgia Bankers Association
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Congratulations to GBA Communications Manager Katina Weiss and her husband, Nathan, on the birth of their son, Simon.
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| Bainbridge - First National Bank
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Bank team members recently taught a budgeting class for students in the GROW (Getting Ready for Opportunities at Work) program, sponsored by the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency. They shared financial literacy and budgeting skills to help participants build confidence and prepare for the future.
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| Swainsboro - Citizens Bank of Swainsboro
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The bank is pleased to support the health and well-being of our community through a recent $250,000 contribution to Emanuel Medical Center through the Georgia HEART Program.
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The bank is proud to sponsor FOX54’s A+ Athlete Scholarship Program and congratulate this year’s winner, Jason Howard Brittain. Jason is taking home a $2,000 scholarship in recognition of his hard work, dedication and achievements.
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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 Bo Brannen.
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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 Cam Sapp, 404.420.2020, with questions or needs.
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