GBA NEWS

Get In on Leadership Conference Set for July 13

ADVOCACY

Georgia Voters Set November Ballot in Low-Turnout Runoff

Georgia Republicans and Democrats settled their statewide nominations in Tuesday’s primary runoff, locking in matchups for what are expected to be contentious November elections. As is typical for runoffs, turnout was far below levels from the May primary, with about 1.1 million Georgians casting ballots. That figure represents roughly 15.1% of active voters, down from about 28% or more than two million Georgians who voted in the May primaries. The bulk of runoff voting came early, with about 460,000 ballots cast during the June 8–12 early-voting window.

In the U.S. Senate race, U.S. Rep. Mike Collins defeated Derek Dooley to win the Republican nomination, taking roughly 56% of the vote with nearly all ballots counted. Rep. Collins will challenge Democratic incumbent Sen. Jon Ossoff in a contest both parties view as pivotal for control of the Senate.

In the Republican runoff for governor, healthcare executive Rick Jackson edged Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, 53% to 47%. With Gov. Brian Kemp term-limited, Jackson advances to face Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms, the former Atlanta mayor, in November.

The two top-of-ticket outcomes reflected a split among Republican voters over the party’s most prominent endorsements. President Donald Trump had backed Collins in the Senate race and Jones in the governor’s race, while Gov. Kemp had endorsed Dooley for Senate and added a late nod to Lt. Gov. Jones for governor. Voters sided with Trump’s pick in the Senate contest but went the other way in the governor’s race, choosing Jackson over the candidate both Trump and Kemp had supported.

The race to succeed Jones as lieutenant governor also came into focus, with state Sen. Greg Dolezal prevailing over former state Sen. John Kennedy, a longtime fixture in the chamber’s leadership whose bid drew significant support across Georgia’s business community. Dolezal will face Democrat state Sen. Josh McLaurin, who defeated former state Sen. Nabilah Parkes, in a November matchup for one of the state’s highest-ranking offices.

Voters also chose state Rep. Tim Fleming as the Republican nominee for Secretary of State. He will face Democrat Penny Brown Reynolds in November. Georgia banker and current state Rep. Will Wade prevailed in a primary runoff in state Senate District 51, a seat vacated by state Sen. Steve Gooch who failed to advance in the Mary primary for Lt. Gov. Rep. Wade has served as a floor leader for Gov. Kemp and vice chair of the House Banks & Banking Committee.

You can find more information and results from the runoff elections on the Georgia Secretary of State’s website. 

GBA Backs OCC Action to Preempt State Interchange Laws

On May 29, GBA filed a comment letter with OCC supporting two recent actions that would shield national banks from state limits on interchange fees. The first is an interim final rule confirming national banks may charge interchange fees even when those fees are set by a third party such as a payment card network. The second is an interim final order declaring that federal law preempts the Illinois Interchange Fee Prohibition Act. GBA’s letter urges OCC to finalize a rule and order issued in April, arguing that interchange is a national system, and a patchwork of state-specific rules would be unworkable and ultimately raise costs for consumers. Read the letter here.

The Illinois interchange law remains the subject of ongoing litigation, though a federal court permanently barred its enforcement against national banks and card networks on June 1. The Illinois legislature recently delayed the law's effective date to July 2027, and a similar measure approved by the Colorado General Assembly was recently vetoed by Colorado Gov. Jared Polis.  

INDUSTRY NEWS

Banking Department Finalizes Rules for Virtual Currency Kiosk Operators

The Georgia Department of Banking & Finance (DBF) this week finalized rules that include new regulations for virtual currency (VC) kiosk operators, aiming to strengthen consumer protections. The department adopted the rules without substantive changes from the version it proposed earlier this spring. The rulemaking follows the passage of the department's annual housekeeping bill in the 2026 legislative session, HB 945, by Rep. Bruce Williamson (R-Monroe). 

Under Rule 80-3-1-.07, VC kiosk operators must submit quarterly reports listing each kiosk's location, business name and ownership details. Operators must offer refunds in certain cases, with consumers able to choose how they are reimbursed. Additionally, operators must contract with a third-party blockchain analysis firm to proactively block high-risk or sanctioned crypto wallets and implement risk-based monitoring policies for customer transactions. The rules also outline stiffer penalties for operators found to be in violation of the new regulations.

In addition to the VC kiosk rules, the rulemaking addresses:

• Updates to rules on acquiring control of large state-chartered banks.
• When and how service charges can be assessed on dormant accounts.
• Changes to executive approval, compliance and recordkeeping requirements for Merchant Acquirer Limited Purpose Banks.
• Rules for registration, renewal and reporting for litigation financiers.

The department accepted public comments through the close of business on Friday, June 12, and adopted the final rules this week. We expect some additional information from the DBF about the temporary bank transaction hold provisions in the coming weeks.

Fed Holds Rates Steady in Warsh's First Meeting

In the first meeting chaired by Kevin Warsh, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) voted unanimously to hold the federal funds rate at 3.50%–3.75% Wednesday, the fourth consecutive hold. 

The committee's updated "dot plot" erased the rate cut it had penciled in for 2026 and now points to a possible hike, with nine of 18 officials projecting at least one increase by year-end. Officials also marked their 2026 inflation outlook up sharply, raising headline PCE to 3.6% from 2.7% in March and core PCE to 3.3%, citing energy-price pressure tied to the Middle East conflict alongside broader inflation persistence. The growth forecast was trimmed to 2.2%.

Chair Warsh used his debut to signal a leaner communication approach, issuing a noticeably shorter statement, dropping forward guidance and announcing five internal task forces to review Fed operations, communications, data, productivity, and the causes of inflation.

Trump Nominates Brian Johnson to Lead CFPB

He also spent more than a decade with the House Financial Services Committee as policy director and chief financial institutions counsel. The American Bankers Association, Consumer Bankers Association, and Mortgage Bankers Association all voiced support for Johnson’s nomination.

FHLBank Atlanta 2026 Director Election 

Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta has begun the election to fill four directorships on the Bank’s board of directors, including the member directorships in Florida, Georgia, and Maryland and one independent director.

The Bank’s vendor, Survey & Ballot Systems, has emailed eligible member institutions information about nominating candidates from Georgia for the board of directors, including the nominating certificate and the nomination deadline, which is 5 p.m. EDT on July 13, 2026. The term of the directorships to be filled in this election begins on Jan. 1, 2027, and ends on Dec. 31, 2030.

If you are an FHLBank Atlanta member, your participation in this election process is important and you may nominate an eligible candidate before the July 13 deadline. Individuals interested in being considered for the independent directorship who meet the requirements must complete and return to the Bank, by 5 p.m. EDT on July 13, 2026, the application and related forms that are available on the bank’s website. If you have questions, please contact Courtney Tobin, Associate General Counsel and Deputy Director of Compliance, at 404.888.5343 or ctobin@fhlbatl.com.

TRAINING & EVENTS

Register Now for the BankPAC Pickleball Paddle Battle Aug. 27

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.

* The GBA StatePAC contributes only to candidates running for state-level offices such as the Georgia General Assembly, the Governor’s office and the Lieutenant Governor’s office. Contributions may be made by an individual, from bank funds if you are a state-chartered bank, or from a national bank holding company using funds not derived from national bank operations.

Kristen Stogniew

BSA Peer Group Meeting is July 22 in Macon

Join your peers for a full day of in-person learning and collaboration at the upcoming BSA Peer Group Meeting July 22 at Middle Georgia State University’s Macon campus. Led by Kristen Stogniew, shareholder and leader of Saltmarsh’s Financial Institution Consulting practice, this interactive session will explore current industry hot topics and best practices to strengthen your bank’s BSA/AML/CFT and OFAC programs.

Understanding Bank Performance Program Teaches Fundamentals

Join peers from more than 30 state bankers associations around the country in a unique Understanding Bank Performance program, a virtual five-session course designed to enhance your ability to interpret bank financials and key performance metrics. GBA partners with the Washington Bankers Association to make the program available to our members.

Who Should Attend?
This program is perfect for new bankers looking to build a solid foundation, as well as experienced bankers seeking to deepen their financial analysis skills.

Flexible & Convenient:
Attend virtually, with sessions running Thursdays and Fridays in July and October.

Learn more and sign up using the following links:

• Details & Registration - July 2026
• Details & Registration - October 2026

Registration Now Open!

GBA President/CEO, Bank Accountant, and Bank Counsel Conferences
Oct. 4-6
The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds at Lake Oconee

Leadership Conference
July 13-15, The Omni Amelia Island, FL

More Events and Training Opportunities Coming up

Information Security Officer 101 Seminar

June 23

Middle Georgia State University, Macon

Women in Banking Conference

Aug. 13-14

Chateau Elan Winery & Resort, Braselton

Personal Cash Flow Analysis Seminar

Oct. 7

Middle Georgia State University, Macon

Loan Structuring and Documentation for Loss Prevention Seminar

Oct. 8

Middle Georgia State University, Macon

ONLINE LEARNING – GREAT FOR FUNDAMENTALS TRAINING

Using AI as Your Writing Assistant, Opening Business Accounts, Stablecoin 101 and More

Take a look at online training opportunities available to GBA members from OnCourse Learning and the American Bankers Association.

Upcoming hot topic webinars: 

• Five Vital Steps for Proper Commercial Loan Documentation – June 24

• Using AI as Your Writing Assistant – July 1

• Developing Effective Fraud Response Procedures – July 7

• Opening Business Accounts - July 9

• CRA for Community Banks Workshop – July 14

• Stablecoin 101 – July 29

Self-paced courses, certificates and reference guides:

• Teller Basics: Upskill for a Digital World
• Reference Guide to Regulatory Compliance
• Succession Planning for Banks
• ABA Bank Teller Certificate
• ABA Residential Mortgage Lender Certificate
• Building Customer Relationships

PARTNERS, PRODUCTS & ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

Compensation Survey Due Date is Here

The GBA Compensation Survey is here to provide you with the support you need. 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.

Dates to Remember:

• Results Published: Week of Aug. 10, 2026

Pricing:

• Participants: $650
• Non-Participants: $1,495

Financial institutions face growing expectations for third-party risk management, making effective vendor oversight more important than ever. Join Ncontracts’ 2026 Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM) Bootcamp for three days of practical, expert-led training designed for bankers, compliance professionals, risk managers, and executive leadership. Participants will explore key topics including risk appetite and vendor strategy, vendor tiering and profiling, continuous monitoring, business continuity planning, contract management, and maximizing the strategic value of TPRM programs. Attendees will gain actionable insights to strengthen their institution’s vendor management framework while learning from experienced industry practitioners. As an added benefit, all registrants will receive a complimentary digital copy of The Upside of Third-Party Risk Management. This free six-session program is ideal for institutions seeking to build a stronger, more resilient, and strategically focused TPRM program. (Ncontracts)

Banks face mounting pressure to balance innovation with risk, regulation and trust. A new paper out from GBA Associate Member Verapath offers a comprehensive roadmap for bankers ready to harness artificial intelligence safely and strategically. It details a four-phase model, from establishing governance and readiness, to integrating AI across business lines and ultimately achieving enterprise intelligence. Bankers seeking to strengthen compliance, reduce operational strain and future-proof their institutions should explore this essential guide. Link to the full paper here.

NEWSMAKERS

Albany – AB&T

Main Office Branch Manager Alexis Williams has been named an Officer by the bank’s Board of Directors.

Atlanta – Georgia Banking Company

The bank announced the completion of a $77.7 million private placement of primary and secondary shares to support continued growth and future strategic expansion opportunities. Read more here.

Athens – First American
Bank & Trust

Deborah Herron, CPA, has joined the bank as senior vice president, Commercial Banking. Elizabeth Wright has joined the bank as a Commercial Associate.

Clayton – Rabun County Bank

Necole Adams has been promoted to assistant vice president, lead loan processor.

Cochran – State Bank of Cochran, a division of BankSouth

The bank recently recognized and thanked Ginger Johnson for 50 years of service to the bank and its customers.

Macon – American Pride Bank

Dominik Mjartan, president and CEO, recently received the Catalyst for Growth Award at the Citi Ascent Summit. The summit brings together leaders from the banking, finance and investment sectors to foster collaboration, strengthen partnerships and promote innovation and forward-looking financial strategies. Pictured (from left) are Harold E. Butler Jr., Dominik Mjartan and Blair Washington.

Metter – Pineland Bank

The bank was recently featured in both Forbes and Fortune magazines, highlighting the bank’s growth, community-focused values and nearly 90-year history of serving Southeast Georgia and Northeast Florida. Paul Bennett, Lawrence Bennett, Thomas Bennett, Al Ross and Lorie Hyers were featured in the story, sharing insights on customer care, family leadership and the bank’s commitment to the communities it serves. Read more here.

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

Watkinsville – Oconee State Bank 

In recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the bank’s Fraud Squad partnered with the Oconee County Sheriff's Office to host a "Protecting Seniors from Financial Scams" lunch & learn. The program provided seniors and their families with practical tips, information on common scam warning signs and resources to help protect against financial exploitation and fraud.

Read All About It: Send Us Your News

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.

Recruit, Retain and Develop the Best Bankers with GBA's Job Bank

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.