
What would CBA members do differently in 2021? Find out in the latest issue of CBA’s bi-monthly magazine Georgia Communities First. The word of the year for 2020 was “pivot” and Georgia’s community bankers certainly did just that showcasing flexibility, technology, and personal touch, all while safely serving their customers.
This issue also includes articles from CBA Chair David Lance, Greater Community Bank, CBA’s CEO John McNair and various partner firms. Don’t miss the latest information on CBA’s advocacy efforts, upcoming professional development programs, Hester and Walraven Scholarship plans and much more! Click here for the latest issue.
This issue also includes articles from CBA Chair David Lance, Greater Community Bank, CBA’s CEO John McNair and various partner firms. Don’t miss the latest information on CBA’s advocacy efforts, upcoming professional development programs, Hester and Walraven Scholarship plans and much more! Click here for the latest issue.

Community Banks Were Ready for PPP Round Two
When the second round of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) opened to all lenders last week, community banks were ready. In a recent interview with the Atlanta Business Chronicle, Doug Williams, President and CEO, Atlantic Capital Bank, Atlanta and John McNair, President & CEO, Community Bankers Association of Georgia, shared how community banks prepared.
“We had systems in place and we also knew where we needed to rely on outside resources, whereas in the first round those were decisions on the fly,” said Mr. Williams.
“I’ve called them the financial industry’s first responders for this program,” said Mr. McNair. “With respect to Georgia, because we have a robust number of community banks, we were able to get the funding out faster in really all corners of the state. I think you’re seeing the benefit of that here in our state versus other states that don’t have the community bank network.”
“I think what businesses learned is it’s good to have a relationship with your banker,” he said. “When the economy is going great, no one thinks about this stuff, but when the economy goes bad and community banks have to work with those local small businesses to restructure loans and do what they need to do to help the businesses survive, that’s just what their model is.” Read the entire article here.
When the second round of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) opened to all lenders last week, community banks were ready. In a recent interview with the Atlanta Business Chronicle, Doug Williams, President and CEO, Atlantic Capital Bank, Atlanta and John McNair, President & CEO, Community Bankers Association of Georgia, shared how community banks prepared.
“We had systems in place and we also knew where we needed to rely on outside resources, whereas in the first round those were decisions on the fly,” said Mr. Williams.
“I’ve called them the financial industry’s first responders for this program,” said Mr. McNair. “With respect to Georgia, because we have a robust number of community banks, we were able to get the funding out faster in really all corners of the state. I think you’re seeing the benefit of that here in our state versus other states that don’t have the community bank network.”
“I think what businesses learned is it’s good to have a relationship with your banker,” he said. “When the economy is going great, no one thinks about this stuff, but when the economy goes bad and community banks have to work with those local small businesses to restructure loans and do what they need to do to help the businesses survive, that’s just what their model is.” Read the entire article here.

CBA PAC Fund: Thank you!
At CBA, we must constantly build and renew relationships with legislators that understand and support community banking.
Thank you to the following banks for their generous contributions to CBA’s PAC Fund:
At CBA, we must constantly build and renew relationships with legislators that understand and support community banking.
Thank you to the following banks for their generous contributions to CBA’s PAC Fund:
- American Commerce Bank, Bremen – Mr. David Tate
- Altamaha Bank & Trust, Vidalia – Mr. Brent Sammons
- Bank of Eastman – Ms. Jolene Carroll
- Bank of Wrightsville – Mr. Richy Everly
- Community Bank of Dublin-Laurens County, Dublin – Mr. Brian Bazemore
- Community Banking Co. of Fitzgerald – Mr. Corey Gibbs
- Community Banking Co. of Fitzgerald – Ms. Debra Weil
- First State Bank, Wrens – Mr. Lee Clark
- Georgia Community Bank, Dawson – Mr. Scott Beeley
- OneSouth Bank, Blakely – Ms. Kim Davis Wilson
- The Commercial Bank, Crawford – Mr. Mike Sale
- The Piedmont Bank, Norcross – Mr. Monty Watson
- Vinings Bank, Smyrna – Mr. Dan Oliver

Health Insurance Solution – Find out more at our Complimentary Webinar
CBA is hosting a complimentary webinar, Thursday, February 11, for member banks and partner firms to learn about the benefits of CBA’s Health Insurance solution. CBA has partnered with CS&O Captives and CBIZ to offer a comprehensive health insurance program for its members. Register today.
CBA is hosting a complimentary webinar, Thursday, February 11, for member banks and partner firms to learn about the benefits of CBA’s Health Insurance solution. CBA has partnered with CS&O Captives and CBIZ to offer a comprehensive health insurance program for its members. Register today.

Download Your Application for the Walraven Memorial Scholarship!
CBA is proud to offer the 2021 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. 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 9, 2021. Only complete applications will be eligible. Winners will be announced in late April 2021. Click here for more details and to download the application. Contact Lindsay Greene for more information.
CBA is proud to offer the 2021 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. 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 9, 2021. Only complete applications will be eligible. Winners will be announced in late April 2021. Click here for more details and to download the application. Contact Lindsay Greene for more information.

Bankers and Associate Members Come Together: Learn about Kaleb’s Wish
I would like to introduce you to Kaleb Howington. Kaleb is a wonderful young man who lives in Winterville, Georgia. He loves dogs, trucks and the outdoors! Kaleb is a tough and courageous kid that has been battling brain cancer for a very long time. He has been raised by his grandmother since birth and when Santa asked him for his Christmas wish he did not ask for anything for himself, he simply asked Santa to help his grandmother.
The local community has come together to help make Santa’s promise and Kaleb’s wish ring true by providing Kaleb and his grandmother a new home. Kaleb has a long way to go on his battle with cancer and we hope that his new home will give him the home field advantage. For more details about Kaleb and how to support him please visit the website. A benefit account for Kaleb has been established at The Commercial Bank at 100 Moores Grove Road, Winterville GA 30683. Special thanks to Corrie Hall and Michael White of James Bates-Brannan-Groover-LLP for their legal assistance with the formation of Kaleb’s Trust. Thank you in advance for your support.
I would like to introduce you to Kaleb Howington. Kaleb is a wonderful young man who lives in Winterville, Georgia. He loves dogs, trucks and the outdoors! Kaleb is a tough and courageous kid that has been battling brain cancer for a very long time. He has been raised by his grandmother since birth and when Santa asked him for his Christmas wish he did not ask for anything for himself, he simply asked Santa to help his grandmother.
The local community has come together to help make Santa’s promise and Kaleb’s wish ring true by providing Kaleb and his grandmother a new home. Kaleb has a long way to go on his battle with cancer and we hope that his new home will give him the home field advantage. For more details about Kaleb and how to support him please visit the website. A benefit account for Kaleb has been established at The Commercial Bank at 100 Moores Grove Road, Winterville GA 30683. Special thanks to Corrie Hall and Michael White of James Bates-Brannan-Groover-LLP for their legal assistance with the formation of Kaleb’s Trust. Thank you in advance for your support.
![]() Sympathies: CBA extends our sympathies to family, friends and co-workers of Joel “Joey” Ashcraft, Bank of Wrightsville, who passed away last week. Click here to read obituary.
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The Bank of Edison recently recognized two directors on their retirement and honored another director at the bank’s annual shareholders meeting.
- Board Chairman Conner Collins recognized Dan Hammack for 54 years of dedicated service to the board of directors.
- Board Chairman Conner Collins recognized Richard West for 19 years of dedicated service to the board of directors.
- Chairman Collins also presented a plaque in memory to Carla Toal, wife of Rob Toal, commemorating his 22 years of dedicated service to the board of directors. Mr. Toal passed away in 2020.

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:
Credit Analyst - Level I - Macon
February 2-3, 2021 | STREAM The Training the Credit Analyst course begins by teaching the principles of Accounting and Assumptions utilized to prepare financial statements and tax returns. Put these analytical skills to immediate use with tools that assess the degree of risk prior to recommending approval. |
Consumer Lending School - Marietta
February 8-12, 2021 | In-Person or STREAM This school is designed to take the student through the process of consumer lending to develop and advance the skills necessary to administer quality consumer loans. Numerous in-class case studies and exercises will be utilized to assist with comprehension and retention of these skills. |

Webinar: Breaking Down 2020 Results - And Looking Ahead at 2021
Thursday, February 18, 2020 | 11:00 - 11:45 a.m.
Speakers: Shawn O’Brien, President, QwickRate and David Ruffin, Principal, IntelliCredit
More than likely, Q4 numbers will have many Georgia bankers pondering questions like, “What will the availability of COVID vaccines mean for the economic outlook? Given the injection of PPP loans and COVID modifications, how do we assess overall credit quality? Will the net interest margin continue to decline in 2021? When examiners return to banks in 2021, will ours be ready? Is our loan review scheduled yet? Have we run a stress test?” Should you be asking the same things? In this webinar, we’ll provide the answers to these questions by looking at the metrics still flashing green and the metrics turning yellow — focusing in on Georgia banks. Join us as we use QwickAnalytics to break down the numbers that show where the industry is now and where it is headed in 2021. Click here for more info and to register.
Thursday, February 18, 2020 | 11:00 - 11:45 a.m.
Speakers: Shawn O’Brien, President, QwickRate and David Ruffin, Principal, IntelliCredit
More than likely, Q4 numbers will have many Georgia bankers pondering questions like, “What will the availability of COVID vaccines mean for the economic outlook? Given the injection of PPP loans and COVID modifications, how do we assess overall credit quality? Will the net interest margin continue to decline in 2021? When examiners return to banks in 2021, will ours be ready? Is our loan review scheduled yet? Have we run a stress test?” Should you be asking the same things? In this webinar, we’ll provide the answers to these questions by looking at the metrics still flashing green and the metrics turning yellow — focusing in on Georgia banks. Join us as we use QwickAnalytics to break down the numbers that show where the industry is now and where it is headed in 2021. Click here for more info and to register.

Webinar: Consumer Credit and Digital Lending
Thursday, February 25, 2021 | 10 a.m.
Upgrade Inc, an online lending platform will present on their approach to consumer credit. Chief Credit Officer, Myles Reaz (previously with Bank of the West) will cover the intricacies of underwriting digitally and the newest practices being utilized to enhance credit performance in a digital environment. Upgrade will also cover ways to enhance credit performance with borrower features and discuss underwriting in a COVID19 environment. Click here to register.
Thursday, February 25, 2021 | 10 a.m.
Upgrade Inc, an online lending platform will present on their approach to consumer credit. Chief Credit Officer, Myles Reaz (previously with Bank of the West) will cover the intricacies of underwriting digitally and the newest practices being utilized to enhance credit performance in a digital environment. Upgrade will also cover ways to enhance credit performance with borrower features and discuss underwriting in a COVID19 environment. Click here to register.
- Brief Overview on Upgrade | Credit Risk Highlights | Underwriting Model Evolutions
- Borrower Features that lead to better performance
- Verification / Fraud Strategies | Positive Selection and New Products

Trainer/Facilitator Opportunities at Performance Solutions, Inc.
Performance Solutions, Inc. is looking for a BSA/AML Trainer/Facilitator. Seeking experienced bankers who are interested in facilitating training part-time. CRCM and/or ACAMS certification is a plus. Most assignments will be virtual but will require some travel for on-sight training later in the year.
Performance Solutions, Inc. is also looking for an experienced Retail Banking Manager or Trainer/Facilitator to join our training team part-time. Training and coaching experience is a plus. Most training will be virtual for now, but will require some travel for on-sight training later in the year.
Interested parties should contact Dianne Barton 404-518-9328 or email to psiperformancesolutions@gmail.com.
Performance Solutions, Inc. is looking for a BSA/AML Trainer/Facilitator. Seeking experienced bankers who are interested in facilitating training part-time. CRCM and/or ACAMS certification is a plus. Most assignments will be virtual but will require some travel for on-sight training later in the year.
Performance Solutions, Inc. is also looking for an experienced Retail Banking Manager or Trainer/Facilitator to join our training team part-time. Training and coaching experience is a plus. Most training will be virtual for now, but will require some travel for on-sight training later in the year.
Interested parties should contact Dianne Barton 404-518-9328 or email to psiperformancesolutions@gmail.com.
Bahr Consultants, Inc. is a "fee only” risk management and insurance consulting firm that specializes in analysis of financial institutions insurance exposures. The focus is on the Financial Institution Bond, Directors & Officers Liability, Cyber Liability, Bankers Professional Liability and Property/Casualty insurance exposures for banks. Founded by W.H. (Hank) Bahr in 1988, Bahr Consultants conducts research and completes the documentation needed to obtain competitive pricing and ensure proper insurance coverage.
To learn more, contact Hank Bahr, at 865-694-6098 or by visiting their website. |
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