
You may remember when CBA announced the planned retirement of long-time CBA employee and Professional Development Associate Donna Coutant, at the 50th Anniversary Convention in June 2018. The road to retirement took a detour when CBA’s new President & CEO John McNair arrived on the scene. Donna was so excited about the new energy and exciting initiatives being implemented, she decided to postpone her retirement which was scheduled for December 2018.
Now after an amazing 21-year career at CBA, Donna has decided it’s time to enjoy her numerous hobbies and plans to retire February 14, 2020. Donna joined CBA in 1998 and has been a key part in overseeing and directing the planning, organization, and implementation of CBA’s educational programs and events.
“Donna has helped educate thousands of community bankers across Georgia,” said John McNair. “Her cheerful disposition and service-oriented attitude make her the bright light in our office. She is truly a favorite among bankers and co-workers.”
Donna won’t be far away. She and her husband Ron live off the Marietta Square and after retirement, you will most likely find her gardening, antiquing for treasures, volunteering or spending time with her beloved fur babies. Congratulations Donna!!
Now after an amazing 21-year career at CBA, Donna has decided it’s time to enjoy her numerous hobbies and plans to retire February 14, 2020. Donna joined CBA in 1998 and has been a key part in overseeing and directing the planning, organization, and implementation of CBA’s educational programs and events.
“Donna has helped educate thousands of community bankers across Georgia,” said John McNair. “Her cheerful disposition and service-oriented attitude make her the bright light in our office. She is truly a favorite among bankers and co-workers.”
Donna won’t be far away. She and her husband Ron live off the Marietta Square and after retirement, you will most likely find her gardening, antiquing for treasures, volunteering or spending time with her beloved fur babies. Congratulations Donna!!
Get to Know Your Legislators: 2020 Small Business Day at the Dome
CBA has partnered with NFIB to present the Small Business Day at the Dome. This important event is a chance for you to hear from key government leaders as well as network with other small business owners to get a first-hand account to what is happening in the Peach State. CBA's Lori Godfrey recently sat down with Sen. William Ligon to share the importance of building relationships with your legislators:
CBA has partnered with NFIB to present the Small Business Day at the Dome. This important event is a chance for you to hear from key government leaders as well as network with other small business owners to get a first-hand account to what is happening in the Peach State. CBA's Lori Godfrey recently sat down with Sen. William Ligon to share the importance of building relationships with your legislators:
Click here to learn more and register for Small Business Day at the Dome. In addition, be on the lookout for the upcoming issue of Georgia Communities First magazine which includes an interview featuring more of Sen. Ligon and his legislative priorities.
Click here to learn more and register for Small Business Day at the Dome. In addition, be on the lookout for the upcoming issue of Georgia Communities First magazine which includes an interview featuring more of Sen. Ligon and his legislative priorities.
Georgia’s community bankers do great things in their communities every day. Here is the latest on community outreach and news from CBA Members:
- Altamaha Bank & Trust, Vidalia, recently donated $7,000 to support Family Connection’s two after school programs, Toombs County After School and the Vidalia Learning Center.
- Citizens Community Bank, Hahira, was recently a sponsor for the Adel Cook County Chamber of Commerce Awards. Pictured right to left are: Kayla Bailey, Branch Manager/BSA Compliance Officer, Mindy Green, IT Vice President, and Bobby Jo Bickers, Loan Office Assistant.

Sympathies
CBA extends our sympathies to the family and friends of Jeffrey A. Powell, who recently passed away. Jeffrey was a former Georgia banker, serving as CFO of Hamilton State Bancshares Inc. in Hoschton from 2011 to 2017. Read more.
CBA extends our sympathies to the family and friends of Jeffrey A. Powell, who recently passed away. Jeffrey was a former Georgia banker, serving as CFO of Hamilton State Bancshares Inc. in Hoschton from 2011 to 2017. Read more.
2020 Campaign for the CBA PAC/PR Fund Underway!
CBA's 2020 campaign for the Political Action Committee and Public Relations (PAC/PR) Fund is underway, and we are pleased to announce recent contributions to the PAC/PR Fund.
CBA's 2020 campaign for the Political Action Committee and Public Relations (PAC/PR) Fund is underway, and we are pleased to announce recent contributions to the PAC/PR Fund.
In order to achieve our goals, we will need the help of your institution, Board members, officers, and employees. Your contributions are greatly appreciated and will go towards the only Georgia State PAC exclusively committed to representing the interests in community banks. Click here for contribution forms. For more information, contact Lori Godfrey.

Think CBA First for Your Professional Development Needs!
Be sure to think of CBA first when it comes to your training and Professional Development needs. Here are some upcoming CBA events:
Be sure to think of CBA first when it comes to your training and Professional Development needs. Here are some upcoming CBA events:
Save the Date: WINSPIRE – Women Inspiring Women
Formerly Women in Banking, WINSPIRE is a positive and upbeat session with instructional and motivational presentations for all women. WINSPIRE promotes personal and professional growth and development. Be sure to save the date for Tuesday, May 19, 2020. To see this year's sponsors and to learn more, click here.
Formerly Women in Banking, WINSPIRE is a positive and upbeat session with instructional and motivational presentations for all women. WINSPIRE promotes personal and professional growth and development. Be sure to save the date for Tuesday, May 19, 2020. To see this year's sponsors and to learn more, click here.

Register Now for CBA's Consumer Lending School
Monday-Friday, February 10-14, 2020 | The Hilton Atlanta/Marietta Conference Center
The Consumer Lending School will be held at The Hilton Atlanta/Marietta Conference Center February 10-14. Do you have rising bankers that want to learn to be a consumer lender? Make plans to learn the full consumer lending process, while completing case studies and building a network of bankers. Click here to register.
Monday-Friday, February 10-14, 2020 | The Hilton Atlanta/Marietta Conference Center
The Consumer Lending School will be held at The Hilton Atlanta/Marietta Conference Center February 10-14. Do you have rising bankers that want to learn to be a consumer lender? Make plans to learn the full consumer lending process, while completing case studies and building a network of bankers. Click here to register.
Applications Are Available for 2020 Walraven Memorial Scholarship!
CBA is proud to offer the 2020 Walraven Scholarship, named for the late J. Steven Walraven, a former community bank president who dedicated much of his life to his community and community banking. His wife Rebecca and their sons have developed the scholarship in his memory. This $500 scholarship is awarded to a Georgia community bank employee attending a college or university within the state of Georgia. The goal of the scholarship is to assist those employees interested in furthering their education to enhance their career in community banking.
All completed applications should be submitted to CBA no later than Friday, April 10, 2020. Only complete applications will be eligible. Winners will be announced in late April 2020. Click here for more details and to download the application. Contact Jeremy Thomens for more information.
CBA is proud to offer the 2020 Walraven Scholarship, named for the late J. Steven Walraven, a former community bank president who dedicated much of his life to his community and community banking. His wife Rebecca and their sons have developed the scholarship in his memory. This $500 scholarship is awarded to a Georgia community bank employee attending a college or university within the state of Georgia. The goal of the scholarship is to assist those employees interested in furthering their education to enhance their career in community banking.
All completed applications should be submitted to CBA no later than Friday, April 10, 2020. Only complete applications will be eligible. Winners will be announced in late April 2020. Click here for more details and to download the application. Contact Jeremy Thomens for more information.

What Is Your Stress Testing Trying To Tell You?
FREE Workshop | Tuesday, February 4, 2020 | 11:30 am to 3:30 pm | FHLB Atlanta
Are you prepared for periods of economic stress and how your organization can effectively identify and mitigate its liquidity risk exposure? FHLBank Atlanta can help you optimize your stress testing and make it the centerpiece of your liquidity risk management strategy. Join FHLBank Atlanta for a liquidity stress testing workshop to gain valuable insights into best practices for balance sheet stress testing and how this important process can enhance your institution's approach to liquidity and contingent liquidity management. Click here to RSVP.
FREE Workshop | Tuesday, February 4, 2020 | 11:30 am to 3:30 pm | FHLB Atlanta
Are you prepared for periods of economic stress and how your organization can effectively identify and mitigate its liquidity risk exposure? FHLBank Atlanta can help you optimize your stress testing and make it the centerpiece of your liquidity risk management strategy. Join FHLBank Atlanta for a liquidity stress testing workshop to gain valuable insights into best practices for balance sheet stress testing and how this important process can enhance your institution's approach to liquidity and contingent liquidity management. Click here to RSVP.
Here are some of the latest national news stories relevant to community banking and the financial services industry:
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