Bipartisan SAFE Banking Act Reintroduced
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GBA was pleased to see a bipartisan group of lawmakers reintroduce the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act of 2026 in the House and Senate last week. The legislation would bar federal regulators from penalizing banks that serve legitimate state-licensed cannabis businesses and create a safe harbor from criminal liability and asset forfeiture for institutions that choose to do so. GBA has supported previous versions of the bill, and while those versions were approved by the House seven times, none of them ever cleared the Senate. The Georgia General Assembly further expanded medical cannabis eligibility last session with approval of SB 220, the Putting Georgia's Patients First Act, which took effect July 1. GBA will continue to advocate for bills such as the SAFE Banking Act that close the gap between state and federal law, reducing compliance risk for banks that choose to serve state-licensed customers.
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Home Ownership Month, Housing Bill and Branch Expansions Draw Coverage
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One of GBA’s roles is to serve as a resource for media covering Georgia’s banking industry. We welcome the opportunity to provide important context, perspective about how policies and trends affect members, and accurate industry data for news stories. This week we had the opportunity to help with three significant stories. Our friends at FHLBank Atlanta spotlighted June as National Home Ownership Month on its podcast, and invited GBA's Tripp Cofield to speak on behalf of the industry about the role banks and bankers play in expanding home-ownership opportunities. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution focused on community bank provisions in the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act passed by Congress last week, and we shared some key data about banks and branches in Georgia with the Atlanta Business Chronicle for a story about PNC’s plan to open 25 new branches in Atlanta. (Subscription may be required for articles.)
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2026 Georgia BankPAC Campaign UPDATE
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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:
- Bank of Dawson, Barry Lyle, president & CEO
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Craft Bank, Atlanta, Ross Mynatt, president & CEO
Recent contributions to the GBA FedPAC have come from eligible employees, officers and directors of Georgia First Bank, Soperton, Maury Beasley, president & CEO.
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FDIC Proposes Resolution Planning and Assessment Relief
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The FDIC Board approved two proposals on June 25 that would reduce costs for Georgia's community banks. The large-institution assessment threshold would rise from $10 billion to $30 billion, and the change would result in an assessment rate drop of 2 basis points for small institutions. The FDIC pointed to continued growth in the Deposit Insurance Fund's reserve ratio, which is above the statutory minimum, as a basis for the change. Institutions still classified as large or highly complex would see a smaller 1 basis point reduction and could qualify for up to 1 additional basis point in relief by demonstrating resolution readiness. A companion proposal would also ease resolution planning requirements for the nation's largest banks. Comments on both proposals are due August 31. More information about the proposals can be found here: FDIC Board Approves Proposal to Revise Deposit Insurance Assessment Thresholds, Rate Schedules, and Adjustments.
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PARTNERS, PRODUCTS & ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
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STRATEGIC PARTNER ODP BUSINESS SOLUTIONS
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Enhanced Savings Now Available for All GBA Members
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GBA is pleased to announce significant enhancements to our endorsed ODP Business Solutions purchasing program, effective July 1. With an improved pricing structure, participating banks can now achieve average savings of approximately 14% compared to standard ODP web pricing for Core List products, with many items discounted by 20% or 30% or more. These enhancements strengthen an already valuable purchasing program by delivering greater savings while maintaining the convenience, dedicated support and purchasing power banks have come to expect.
Key program benefits include:
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- Access preferred pricing on a 2,300-item Core List of frequently purchased office, banking and workplace products.
- Further reduce costs with customized pricing on up to 75 frequently purchased products outside the Core List, tailored to your bank’s purchasing volume.
- Non-Core products receive a 5% discount on many catalog items.
- Convenient fulfillment with free next-day delivery on qualifying orders of $50 or more within local delivery areas, or one-hour pickup at Office Depot and OfficeMax retail stores.
- Dedicated account support with convenient reporting, cost-savings analysis, bill management tools and quarterly business reviews.
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Provide employees and board members with access to preferred program pricing through the Employee Purchase Program.
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If your bank is not currently participating, we encourage you to request a complimentary savings analysis to compare your current pricing against the program's enhanced rates. For additional information or to schedule a review, please contact Katherine Booth at katherine.booth@odpbusiness.com.
Ready to start saving? You can enroll in the ODP Business Solutions program today and take advantage of preferred pricing, enhanced savings and exclusive benefits available through the GBA.
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GBA Announces Professional Development Team Promotions and Expanded Roles
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We're happy to share several promotions and expanded roles within GBA's Professional Development team.
Alison Moreau has been promoted to director of professional development and will lead the team while continuing to oversee GBA's finance, lending and operations programming, the Georgia Banking School and the new Commercial Lending School launching in January.
Aimee Corcoran has been promoted to senior professional development manager and will take on leadership of GBA's executive-level conferences, including the Annual Meeting, Leadership Conference, President/CEO Conference, Bank Counsel Conference, Bank Accountants Conference and Women in Banking Conference. She will also continue managing the HR Conference.
Mary Frances Miller has been promoted to professional development manager and will oversee GBA's advocacy-related event programming, including the Legislative Forum and Reception, BankPAC fundraising events, compliance programs and the Bank Security Conference.
In addition, Katina Weiss will expand her responsibilities to lead GBA's marketing programming, and Cameron Sapp has been named member solutions and operations administrator, reflecting his growing role supporting professional development, member services and association operations.
"These promotions and changes in responsibilities reflect the amazing talent we've built within our Professional Development team," said GBA president and CEO Tripp Cofield. "We have a deep, experienced and creative team that's fully invested in serving our members. I'm excited to see Alison, Aimee, Mary Frances, Katina and Cam step into these expanded roles as we continue delivering the exceptional programs and service our members count on."
The changes are effective immediately and will be phased in over the coming months to ensure a smooth transition. Additionally, we also extend our appreciation to Kathy Friestad, whose leadership has helped shape the association's education programs for many years as she prepares for her year-end retirement.
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BSA Peer Group Meeting is July 22 in Macon
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BankPAC Pickleball Paddle Battle 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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Compliance Conference – Oct. 21 – 23, Sea Palms Resort, St. Simons Island
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More Events and Training Opportunities Coming up
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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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PARTNERS, PRODUCTS & ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
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STRATEGIC PARTNER ADVANTAGE, POWERED BY JMFA
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Why Overdraft Should Be Managed as a Service Line
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Overdraft remains an important part of the consumer liquidity conversation, but how it is managed matters. The programs that perform well are not necessarily the most aggressive. They are the ones built with structure, oversight, communication, and customer experience in mind. Take a closer look at why banks should manage overdraft as a transparent, well-structured service line that supports customers, staff and responsible long-term performance. Click here for a full analysis in an article provided by GBA Strategic Partner ADVANTAGE, powered by JMFA.
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Agentic LOS: The Next Evolution of Loan Origination, Aug. 4 at 12 p.m.
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Loan origination has evolved significantly, providing banks with greater structure, consistency and visibility into complex lending processes. As borrower expectations, data requirements, and operational demands continue to grow, lending teams need more proactive, connected and intelligent workflows. Join GBA Strategic Partner Abrigo on Aug. 4 to explore what agentic LOS means, what problems it can help solve and how it fits into the future of lending technology.
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Atlanta – Southern First Bank
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Congratulations to Senior Vice President June Carlson Platz on her recent retirement.
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Atlanta – SouthState Bank
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Ray Shrader has joined the bank as a Commercial Relationship Manager.
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Blairsville – River City Bank
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Reid Schoeffler has joined the bank as a Universal Banker.
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Buford – Peoples Bank & Trust
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Selina Melendez and Casey Roebuck have both been promoted to Banking Officer..
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Cornelia and Dillard – Rabun County Bank
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Chazz Hopper, has been promoted to AVP Branch Manager of the bank's Traditions Bank branch in Cornelia, and Ashley Wilson, has been promoted to AVP Branch Manager of the bank's Dillard branch.
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Louisville – Queensborough National Bank & Trust Co.
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Chief Information Officer Travis Collins has been promoted to the bank's executive management team.
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Fort Valley – SunMark Community Bank
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Nathan Rivers has joined the bank as a teller at its Fort Valley branch.
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Macon – American Pride Bank
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Michael Sharpton has joined the bank as Executive Vice President and Chief Growth & Revenue Officer. Read More here. Sharpton will lead the Bank’s sales and lending functions, including American Pride Bank’s expanding presence across Georgia, the Carolinas and Florida.
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Waycross – Waycross Bank & Trust
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Taylor Hines has been appointed to the bank’s board of directors.
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Charlotte, NC – Performance Trust Capital Partners
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Nathan Stovall has joined the firm as a Managing Director.
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The bank is proud to have Michelle Tome participate in sponsoring kids at the Friendship House, where she was once a participant herself. Thank you Friendship House for helping shape these kids into outstanding adults!
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| Milledgeville – Exchange Bank
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The bank recently made a generous contribution to Overview, Inc., an organization that helps individuals and families across the region through senior services, housing assistance, energy assistance and other programs that promote self-sufficiency and a better quality of life.
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The bank recently launched Camp Money Matters at the Boys & Girls Club, a five-week program teaching financial literacy to more than 70 children.
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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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