Transaction Hold Guidance Now Available from DBF
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HB 945 by Rep. Bruce Williamson (R-Monroe), passed during the 2026 legislative session and now in effect, authorizes financial institutions to place temporary "transaction holds" on certain transactions involving eligible adults when the institution reasonably suspects the transaction may be the result of financial exploitation. Guidance on these transaction holds from the Georgia Department of Banking & Finance is now available. Key things for banks to know are:
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- Prior to placing such holds, financial institutions must have policies and procedures in place and must have trained employees on such policies and procedures.
- Financial institutions can allow individuals to designate a “trusted contact” – an individual who the financial institution can reach out to in cases of suspected financial exploitation.
- Financial institutions must reach out to account holders and trusted contacts and initiate an investigation once a hold is placed.
- Subject to the requirements of the bill, an initial transaction hold may be placed for up to 15 days.
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We encourage members to review the DBF guidance carefully before implementing transaction holds. The guidance addresses several important details, including customer eligibility, the definition of a "trusted contact," employee training requirements, and the development of written internal procedures. With questions, please contact the GBA Advocacy Team; Elizabeth Chandler, echandler@gabankers.com, 404.372.7893; Bo Brannen, bbrannen@gabankers.com, 404.731.9886 or Tripp Cofield, tcofield@gabankers.com, 617.909.9530.
See the linked fact sheet here for additional information.
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Urge Congress to Support SAFE Banking Act
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As we shared in last week's Bulletin, a bipartisan group of lawmakers has reintroduced the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act of 2026.
We urge you to contact your U.S. representative and senators and ask them to support the bill. The SAFE Banking Act would protect financial institutions that choose to serve legitimate state-licensed cannabis businesses from federal regulatory penalties, helping close the gap between state and federal law and reducing compliance uncertainty.
With Georgia's expanded medical cannabis law now in effect, your voice is important. Please contact your members of Congress and encourage them to support the SAFE Banking Act.
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Leadership Conference on Deck
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We’re all set to host a huge delegation of members, their families and guests for the GBA Leadership Conference that starts Monday, July 12, at the Omni Ameilia Island. This year’s program includes a solid mix of technical skill building, industry advocacy, economic trends and leadership lessons. Attendees will elect new group representatives to the Leadership GBA Board, and we’ll install new officers for the board. Of course, there will also be plenty of time for family networking and fun in the sun at this signature event for our state’s emerging banking leaders. Look for a meeting recap next week.
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Leadership GBA Chair-Elect Zach Giddens, SunMark Community Bank (left), and CSRA Business Lending's Cody Shepherd
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| | Group members meet for elections and discussion at last year's Leadership Conference.
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Important New EIN Verification Document from the IRS
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We’ve been asked by the IRS to share information with members about a new IRS document that your customers might use to validate their Employer Identification Number (EIN). Customers can use the IRS Business Tax Account website to generate IRS Notice CP575. It’s important that employees know that this can be accepted and is functionally the same as other IRS CP575 notices, which are followed by a letter (A through J) or IRS Letter 147C. The IRS is hosting a virtual roundtable for banks to learn more and ask questions:
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- Date: Tuesday, July 21
- Time: 2-3 p.m. ET
- Link to Meeting
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Meeting ID: 276 122 632 256 981
- Passcode: Ne2eU3Sv
- Dial in by phone
- +1 323-792-6149,,920189502#
- Phone conference ID: 920 189 502#
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SBA Expands Lending Capacity With New $10 Million Loan Limit
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Our friends at the Small Business Administration (SBA) passed on some big news to us this week. Effective July 4, qualified borrowers could access up to $10 million through the SBA's 7(a) and 504 loan programs — the highest lending capacity in the agency's history. The increased limits are part of the SBA's broader effort to strengthen
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2026 Georgia BankPAC Campaign Making Good Progress
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The 2026 BankPAC campaign is in full swing. Contribution forms along with all BankPAC information may be accessed on the advocacy page of gabankers.com with easy-to-follow options for making these contributions.
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As a reminder, state-chartered banks or national bank holding companies may contribute to the StatePAC, while eligible individuals may do so to the FedPAC. If you have questions, contact Elizabeth Chandler at 404.372.7893 or Bo Brannen at 404.731.9886.
Contributing to the GBA StatePAC recently are the following banks:
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Citizens Community Bank, Hahira, Jeff Hanson, president & CEO
- Legacy State Bank, Loganville, Bill Walker, president & CEO
- Planters First Bank, Cordele, Eli Tinsley, president & CEO
- West Central Georgia Bank, Thomaston, Eddie Rogers, chairman & CEO
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GBA FedPAC have come from eligible employees, officers and directors of:
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- Altamaha Bank & Trust, Vidalia, Brent Sammons, president & CEO
- Citizens Community Bank, Hahira, Jeff Hanson, president & CEO
- South Georgia Banking Company, Tifton, Glenn Willis, CEO
- Planters and Citizens Bank, Camilla, Susan Moss, president & CEO
- Planters First Bank, Cordele, Eli Tinsley, president & CEO
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PARTNERS, PRODUCTS & ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
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Spotlight on New GBA Associate Member CoinProof
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Over the next few weeks, we want to give a warm welcome to several new GBA Associate Members that we onboarded last quarter. They all offer diverse solutions for your bank and provide invaluable support to GBA programs through sponsorships, exhibits and shared expertise. Be sure to get to know these folks and thank them for supporting GBA. You can get information about any of GBA's Associate Members by using the Associate Member search function on our website. This week, we want to highlight CoinProof Technologies.
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CoinProof is focused on digital asset incident response. As financial fraud and digital asset theft continue to impact consumers and businesses, banks are often one of the first places customers turn for help. Yet these situations can be difficult to assess, document, and route through the appropriate channels. CoinProof closes that gap.
The company provides a structured response process for digital asset incidents, helping customers and institutions collect the right information, organize incident details, prepare clear documentation, and quickly report the right information to law enforcement. The goal is to make these incidents easier to intake, manage, escalate, and support without placing additional burden on bank teams.
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GBA Strategic Partner EBS
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Strengthen Your BOLI Strategy
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GBA Strategic Partner EBS specializes in the placement of Bank Owned Life Insurance (BOLI) programs. These programs utilize BOLI to finance existing employee benefits, as well as to informally fund new or existing executive non-qualified benefit plans. EBS delivers comprehensive implementation services and related consultation required to support a BOLI program.
Why GBA Members Choose EBS:
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Top-Rated Carriers: Through EBS Partners, member banks gain access to the industry's highest-rated life insurance providers.
- Credentialed Experts: Work with an experienced team with professional credentials including MBA, CPA, CFP, CLU, and ChFC.
- Exclusive GBA Benefits: Receive a complimentary BOLI Assessment and Carrier Due Diligence Report to evaluate your current program.
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ASSOCIATE MEMBER DOLPHIN DEBIT ACCESS
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ATMs and the Windows 11 Software Upgrade
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As Microsoft phases out Windows 10 support, banks should begin planning for ATM upgrades, but not every machine requires immediate action. According to GBA Associate Member Dolphin Debit Access, the best approach depends on each ATM's age, model, manufacturer sunset date and remaining service life. Before investing in a Windows 11 upgrade, review your ATM fleet to determine whether upgrading or replacing equipment makes the most financial sense. Banks should also discuss cybersecurity protections, software support timelines and long-term replacement strategies with their ATM provider to avoid unnecessary costs. Thoughtful planning today can help reduce expenses while maintaining secure, reliable ATM operations. Read the full article here for additional insights and visit www.dolphindebit.com to learn more about ATM lifecycle planning and managed services.
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Don't miss this year's Women in Banking Conference, where you'll find a dynamic mix of educational sessions that deepen professional knowledge and encourage personal growth. It’s this unique blend of learning and connection that creates the high-energy, collaborative atmosphere our attendees value year after year.
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BSA Peer Group Meeting is July 22, Macon
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BankPAC Pickleball Aug. 27, Macon
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Get involved beyond the court!
Sponsorship Opportunities are available, with prices ranging from $250 - $650. Click here for details or contact GBA’s Kathy Friestad with questions.
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HR Professionals Peer Group Meeting
Sept. 3 in Macon
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South Georgia Community Bank Symposium Sept. 17, Valdosta
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Ops/Tech Peer Group Meeting Sept. 22
Registration Open
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Jim Stewart of Vallant 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. Sponsorships are available. Click here for sponsorship information.
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President/CEO, Bank Counsel, Bank Accountant Conferences Oct. 4-6
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Compliance Conference – Oct. 21 – 23,
Sea Palms Resort, St. Simons Island
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New Training Suite Focuses on Human Factors in Fraud Prevention
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Help your team strengthen its approach to fraud prevention with a new online training suite from the American Bankers Association. The Human Factors in Fraud Prevention Suite explores how human behavior, decision-making and workplace culture influence fraud risk — and the important role bankers play in identifying and preventing fraud. Designed for bankers at all levels, the suite includes four learning modules covering accountability, fraud and AML case studies, and decision-making in real-world scenarios. The self-paced curriculum takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes to complete and is available to all GBA members for $95.
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ONLINE LEARNING – GREAT FOR FUNDAMENTALS TRAINING
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Credit Skills, Fraud Response, ChatGPT for Accountants and More Great Basics
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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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Atlanta – Georgia Banking Company
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Charles DeWitt has been named chief financial officer. Most recently, he served as founder, chairman, and chief executive officer of Tandem Bank. Read more here.
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Abby Silver has joined the bank as a client services associate
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Hinesville – Southeastern Bank
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The bank’s newest full-service banking office is now open at 146 East M. L. King Jr. Drive in Hinesville. Team members celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 6. Read more here.
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| Greenville – First Peoples Bank
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A team from the bank recently spent the day at the Greenville Senior Center presenting a scam prevention class.
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Hinesville – Southeastern Bank
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To coincide with the grand opening of its new Hinesville branch this week, the bank made a $50,000 contribution to Liberty Regional Medical Center through the Georgia HEART Program.
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| Perry – SunMark Community Bank
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The bank is proud to support the Houston County School District as a district sponsor.
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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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