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With Gratitude and Heart: Reflecting This ThanksgivingAs Thanksgiving draws near, we’re pausing to appreciate the gifts that make our work so rewarding.
- A Community of Professionals that Inspires: Whether you’re a member banker, Associate Member, or part of our Bank Counsel or Accountant Sections, your commitment to serving others and advancing the industry motivates everything we do.
- A Team with Heart: Our GBA team is more than co-workers – we’re a family united by a shared drive to support you. It’s a joy and an honor to do this work.
- A Place to Call Home: From Georgia’s scenic beauty to its thriving communities, we’re thankful to live and work in such a remarkable state, grounded in the freedoms we cherish.
We’re grateful for you and your continued support. From all of us at GBA, have a warm, joyful Thanksgiving filled with all the things you love most. Keep an eye out for our next Bulletin Dec. 6!
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GBA Joins Amicus Brief Opposing Colorado Law on Bank RegulationThe GBA Executive Committee this week approved the association joining a friend-of-the-court brief opposing a new Colorado law. The issue being litigated is whether a state should be permitted to use an “opt out” provision in a federal banking statute (DIDMCA) to impose its own banking rules on out-of-state banks. The state of Colorado—and a few other states—would like that authority. If Colorado wins this lawsuit, they may be able to impose interest rate and certain fee limitations on consumer loans Georgia banks make in that state, and other states would likely follow suit. Most other state bankers associations also signed on to this brief, as well. The amicus brief will be filed this week, and GBA will share the final version soon. With questions, email Tripp Cofield.
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U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Holds Hearing on Credit Card Competition ActThe U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing Tuesday about credit card interchange and the retailer-backed Credit Card Competition Act. The proposed bill, co-sponsored by Committee Chair Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), would require financial institutions that issue credit cards to ensure merchants have access to payment networks other than Visa and Mastercard. Though we do not expect the bill to advance between now and the end of the 118th Congress, the GBA GR team has continued sharing our concerns with Senators Ossoff (D-Ga.) and Warnock (D-Ga.).
Also this week, the Wall Street Journal published a strong argument against the Credit Card Competition Act. The editorial points out many of the reasons we’ve been opposed to the bill, including the potential for loss of rewards programs and the need for banks to increase fees on certain accounts. Read the editorial here.
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Advocacy in ActionDublin Rotary and Exchange Clubs Catch up on BankingWe appreciated being the guest of Bank of Dudley’s Sam Beall, Patrick Thames and Matthew Weigel at a joint meeting of the Rotary Club of Dublin and the Dublin Exchange Club Tuesday. Thames is the president-elect for the Rotary Club, and Weigel is president of the Exchange Club. GBA President and CEO Tripp Cofield presented an overview of Georgia’s banking industry, a detailed snapshot of banking in Laurens County and some perspective on how the recent elections may affect banking. GBA often speaks to banker and business groups to share the story about banking beyond the headlines. Contact David Oliver, 404.420.2036, with questions.
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Banking Department Rules Proposed – Comment Period Open through Dec. 18Comments are due by Dec. 18 on rules proposed this week by the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance. Most of the rules are related to legislation passed by the Georgia General Assembly this past session, including provisions from the GBA-supported Department of Banking Housekeeping Bill, HB 55, introduced by Rep. Bruce Williamson (R-Monroe). Of interest to bankers are provisions related to laws and regulations for foreign bank offices in Georgia and updates to the Merchant Acquirer Limited Purpose Bank charter. There’s a synopsis of each rule change and the full text of changes in the notice. With questions, please contact Elizabeth Chandler.
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Member Banks Make Top Performers ListCongratulations to several member banks and their teams for being among the top performing community banks nationally in terms of return on equity (ROE). American Banker recently released its top 20 community banks for ROE over a 12-month period ending June 30, 2024. Standouts are: Bank of Dade, Trenton (#5); The Commercial Bank, Crawford (#13); and Douglas National Bank, Douglas (#19).
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“We’re People They Rely On”: Bert Durand’s Approach to BankingIn the latest GBA Member Profile, Bert Durand,vice president at Citizens Bank of Georgia, Cumming, shares a story that reflects the importance of relationships in banking. After helping a customer and her late husband with a construction loan, he became a trusted confidant for her during difficult times. “For some customers, we’re not just bankers; we’re people they rely on,” Durand said. He also credits a key piece of advice from his first boss for shaping his approach to his work. “I remember constantly going to my first boss with questions. Finally, he told me, ‘You don’t need to ask so many questions. You’re going to make a mistake, and that’s okay, just don’t make the same one twice.’ That advice has stuck with me ever since,” he said. With 25 years in banking, Durand continues to value the lessons and relationships that define his career. “Banking isn’t just about numbers—it’s about being someone people trust and can turn to when they need help,” he said. Read his profile here.
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GBA Retirement Services 401(k) Seminars This WeekGBA Retirement Services held its annual training seminars in Duluth and Macon this week. Presenters from American Trust and GBA discussed administration, the year-end testing process, participant education, plan design overview, SECURE 2.0 Act updates and fiduciary responsibilities of 401(k) plan sponsors. For Trust members who were unable to attend, there will be a live webinar on Thursday, Dec. 12, at 2 p.m. More information will be sent to everyone with a plan in the Trust this week. With more than $300 million in assets under management, being a part of the GBA Master Trust allows smaller plans, including plans of banks, associate members and bank clients, to gain buying power for an effective 401(k) solution for participants. If you would like more information or a proposal for 401(k) services, please contact Mandy Richards at 404.420.2025 or 678.549.4167.
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GBAIT Wellness Provider Gets a New NameGBAIT’s wellness partner Sentry Health will become First Stop Health next year. First Stop Health should be a familiar name to many members as they have been providing GBAIT’s telemedicine services since 2017. With the acquisition of Sentry Health, First Stop Health will be offering enhanced virtual care solutions for GBAIT members and providing case management services for members with more complex healthcare needs. GBAIT members will continue to have access to 24/7 telemedicine services and wellness coaching sessions, including weight management, mental health, diabetes coaching, and more. We are also excited to share that these sessions will include mental health coaching for ages 13-17 and couples therapy. Read more about it here.
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Internal Auditors Share Best PracticesMember internal auditors met in Macon Tuesday for their second peer group meeting. Internal Audit, Fraud Prevention Consultant Mike Thomas shared 10 tips on how to effectively communicate audit results to management and the board. Bradley Carroll, chief audit executive, The Firm Group, then shared insights on the modernization of internal auditing including how to leverage data analytics and the importance of agile auditing. Doug Mims, partner, Carr, Riggs & Ingram, moderated the afternoon’s round table discussion and provided attendees with resources they can use in their role of internal auditor. If you’re interested in getting involved in future Internal Audit Peer Group meetings, email Aimee Corcoran.
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Kick Off Your 2025 at Annual Legislative and Economic Forum & Reception
Make sure to ring in your professional new year in 2025 by attending GBA’s annual Legislative and Economic Forum & Reception January 29 at the Ritz-Carlton Downtown Atlanta. Hosted by the GBA Board of Directors, Public Affairs Committee and BankPAC Board, these events are held in honor of members of the Georgia General Assembly as GBA's way of showing the industry's appreciation for these elected official's commitment to our state. The forum will be from 3-6 p.m. and will feature up-to-the-minute information about Georgia legislative priorities, as well as special legislative guests and experts. The reception will be from 6-7:30 p.m. and honors members of the General Assembly, Constitutional Officers, statewide Judiciary and other dignitaries. It’s GBA’s largest one-day event of the year – don’t miss it!
Who Should Attend: Member bankers, Associate Members or Bank Counsel Section members with management, finance, business development or government relations-related responsibilities or interests.
Sponsorships Available! Your company or firm may choose to support this event through sponsorship; click here for more information. Thanks to these event sponsors: Platinum Sponsor BDS Yarmouth & Choate and Silver Sponsors Elliott Davis, Point to Point Environmental and ServisFirst Bank!
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More Events and Training Opportunities Coming up
Save the date for the following conferences, which will open for registration soon:
- Marketing Conference, March 19-21 at the Westin Jekyll Island
- Security Conference, April 7-9 at the Westin Jekyll Island.
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| Calendar of Training and Events by subject/topic:
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Webinars - Great for Fundamentals TrainingCreating Exceptional Client Experiences, Eight Keys to Teller Excellence, Managing a Successful Call Center and MoreHere’s a sampling of upcoming webinars.
Want to see the full webinar schedule? Check out our webinar calendar for a full list of upcoming webinars.
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Partners & Associate Members
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GBA Partner ADVANTAGE, powered by JMFARethinking Overdraft with a Balanced ApproachOverdrafts continue to be a hot topic, capturing the attention of regulators, consumers and banks alike. With the CFPB’s latest overdraft proposal and other competitive pressures, many executives are reassessing their consumer cost structures. Recent shifts, such as guidance on Regulation E opt-in practices and increased scrutiny for how re-presentments and APSN transactions are handled, underscore the need to stay agile and informed. Adjusting overdraft charges might seem straightforward, but it’s a complex decision requiring a careful look at both consumer needs and institutional goals. Get more insight from GBA Partner ADVANTAGE, powered by JMFA. Visit www.advantage-fi.com to learn about their solution, which offers a written 100% compliance guarantee.
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Offered by Over 130 Community BanksGBA Endorses ServisFirst Bank’s Agent Credit Card ProgramGBA is proud to endorse the agent credit card program provided by ServisFirst Bank. ServisFirst currently issues cards for more than 130 community banks in the country and 27 in Georgia. Through the program, banks can offer custom-branded credit cards to its customers featuring its own logo. GBA members benefit from ongoing non-interest income and unmatched service and support from ServisFirst. Two programs are available for both consumer and commercial cards. Commercial purchase cards (P-Cards) are also available. ServisFirst’s program is simple and includes card marketing and portfolio management services at no cost. To get more details about the ServisFirst Bank agent card program, contact ServisFirst’s Tim Finney, tfinney@servisfirstbank.com, 478.952.6497.
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GBA Partner Compliance AllianceAccount Agreements and Compliance Considerations for BanksBanks use account agreements to establish the terms and conditions governing their customer relationships. These agreements enhance transparency, define rights and responsibilities, and ensure compliance with state and federal regulations. Take a look at this article from GBA Partner Compliance Alliance to learn more about the key elements in account agreements, prohibited terms stemming from recent CFPB guidance and best practices to ensure compliance.
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Compliance Alliance – Question of The Week
Question: We have a prospective employee who was charged with possession of marijuana years ago. Does Section 19 of the FDI Act prevent them from being assigned an NMLS number?
Answer: As far as Section 19 of the FDI Act (as revised by the Fair Hiring in Banking Act), the recent final rule that went into effect as of Oct. 1, 2024 made a specific exemption from its "covered offenses" for offenses involving the possession of controlled substances, going on to say that "(t)his exclusion may also apply to other drug-related offenses depending on the statutory elements of the offenses or from court determinations that the statutory provisions of the offenses do not involve dishonesty, breach of trust, or money laundering, as noted in paragraph (b) of this section."
Other offenses not included within the final rule include a misdemeanor criminal offense committed more than one year before the date on which an individual files a consent application (excluding any period of incarceration) and certain older offenses, meaning either it has been seven years or more since the offense occurred, or the individual was incarcerated with respect to the offense and it has been five years or more since the individual was released from incarceration.
However, remember that there may be many additional considerations regarding whether an individual can be assigned an NMLS, including state-specific law and even the specific license sought. For example, the NMLS Federal Registry explains that new registrants must meet the same felony standards as state-licensed MLOs, with those standards being the following: no felony within the past seven years; no felony at any time that involves fraud, dishonesty, a breach of trust, or money laundering. Similarly, the NMLS Policy Guidebook informs us that an applicant would be disqualified if they had been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony that would preclude licensure in the application state; as such, this would depend - respectively - on the state-specific definitions of those offenses, which may require additional considerations for the time of conviction, etc.
Live Demo Signups for Compliance Alliance:
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Georgia's Banking Community
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Community Connections
We like to share all the good work GBA member banks, bankers, Associate Members and Bank Counsel Section members do to support their communities. Here's our latest installment:
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|  | Bainbridge - First National Bank
The bank sponsored the Memorial Hospital and Manor Foundation Gala supporting the hospital. EVP, Chief Lending Officer Lee Northcutt is a member of the hospital foundation board.
| |  | Bainbridge - First Port City Bank
The bank recently concluded its 2024 food drive with participation and support from local organizations.
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|  | Dublin - Bank of Dudley
The bank partnered with East Laurens High School for its Feeding Families for Thanksgiving initiative, dropping off donations on Nov. 20.
| |  | Griffin - First National Bank of Griffin
The bank recently completed a canned food drive in partnership with Blackshear Photography and the Five Loaves & Two Fishes food pantry.
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|  | Lawrenceville - Embassy National Bank
The bank partnered with the Salvation Army to serve more than 150 lunches to those in need ahead of Thanksgiving.
| |  | Perry - SunMark Community Bank
Retail Branch Coordinator Andrea Melton recently conducted a financial literacy class at the Georgia Veterans Education Career Transition Resource Center.
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|  | Savannah - TC Federal Bank
The bank sponsored Military Appreciation Weekend with the Savannah Ghost Pirates at Enmarket Arena. As a Silver Level sponsor, the bank donated 50 tickets to veterans in appreciation for their service.
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Newsmakers
Check out these Georgia bankers making news this week:
Atlanta - Banksouth Mortgage
Jay Glover has joined the BankSouth Mortgage team as a senior loan officer.
Douglas - Pineland Bank
The bank recently opened a Douglas branch at 1350 Bowens Mill Road.
Dublin - Bank of Dudley
Katie Garman has been promoted to branch manager at its downtown Dublin location.
Leesburg - First National Bank
The bank hosted a grand opening event for its Leesburg location Nov. 15.
Washington, D.C. - FDIC
Martin Gruenberg will retire as chairman and a member of the board of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. on Jan. 19, 2025.
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| Read All About It: Send Us Your News
Please remember to include the Georgia Bankers Association on the list of recipients for announcements about promotions, new employees and special recognition your bank has received. 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 Job BankHere's a reminder of a longstanding member benefit. 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. To make the process easy and answer any questions, we've developed this Q&A. Please contact Katina Weiss, 404.420.2021, with questions or needs.
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