
WELCOME TO 2021!
While we all want to turn the page on 2020 and leap into the New Year, I urge all to reflect on the lessons of 2020 and apply appropriately moving forward. As a community banking industry, the extreme circumstances forced us to adapt to and overcome the obstacles to serve our customers and communities. Collectively, Georgia’s community banking industry not only survived, but it excelled. With improved therapeutics and vaccine distribution underway, 2021 promises stability; however, do NOT forget what was learned and achieved during one of the most significant crises of our generation. Community bankers CAN and WILL overcome any challenges that come our way! In summary, incorporate into your professional and personal lives time to consider new ways to innovate and serve. While some resemblance of stability will hopefully return in 2021, remember, the only constant in life is CHANGE!
Please know that your CBA team will be with you every step of the way. We look forward to serving you in 2021 and beyond!
Respectfully,
John McNair
President & CEO
While we all want to turn the page on 2020 and leap into the New Year, I urge all to reflect on the lessons of 2020 and apply appropriately moving forward. As a community banking industry, the extreme circumstances forced us to adapt to and overcome the obstacles to serve our customers and communities. Collectively, Georgia’s community banking industry not only survived, but it excelled. With improved therapeutics and vaccine distribution underway, 2021 promises stability; however, do NOT forget what was learned and achieved during one of the most significant crises of our generation. Community bankers CAN and WILL overcome any challenges that come our way! In summary, incorporate into your professional and personal lives time to consider new ways to innovate and serve. While some resemblance of stability will hopefully return in 2021, remember, the only constant in life is CHANGE!
Please know that your CBA team will be with you every step of the way. We look forward to serving you in 2021 and beyond!
Respectfully,
John McNair
President & CEO

Community Bank Provisions of Bipartisan Bicameral Stimulus Package
President Trump signed into law the year-end stimulus package designed to provide economic relief for communities, small businesses, families, and individuals affected by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as public health measures.
A victory for community banks, the law contains a number of ICBA priority requests, including the EIDL Advance fix, simplified forgiveness, relief from TDR classifications, CECL delay, and a second draw PPP. A description of the provisions that affect community banks can be found here.
President Trump signed into law the year-end stimulus package designed to provide economic relief for communities, small businesses, families, and individuals affected by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as public health measures.
A victory for community banks, the law contains a number of ICBA priority requests, including the EIDL Advance fix, simplified forgiveness, relief from TDR classifications, CECL delay, and a second draw PPP. A description of the provisions that affect community banks can be found here.

Business owners hope to buy time with new COVID relief loans
With the passing of the new PPP legislation, the Atlanta Journal- Constitution reached out to CBA’s John McNair and Tyler Eck for their perspective on what kind of effect the new round of pandemic relief loans would have on community banks and small businesses across the state. Click here to read the article.
With the passing of the new PPP legislation, the Atlanta Journal- Constitution reached out to CBA’s John McNair and Tyler Eck for their perspective on what kind of effect the new round of pandemic relief loans would have on community banks and small businesses across the state. Click here to read the article.

CBA PAC Fund: Thank you!
Members of the State Legislature are always changing. 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:
Click here to learn more about CBA’s PAC Fund.
Members of the State Legislature are always changing. 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:
- Colony Bank, Fitzgerald – Mr. Heath Fountain
- F&M Bank, Washington – Mr. Ed Pope
- Newton Federal Bank, Covington – Mr. Ed Cooney
- Peach State Bank & Trust, Gainesville – Mr. Ron Quinn
Click here to learn more about CBA’s PAC Fund.

Decreased Branch Traffic Raises Questions for Banks
According to the latest Bank Executive Business Outlook Survey report of more than 500 top bank executives nationwide, nearly 98 percent indicated that monthly foot traffic at their branches had dropped compared to pre-COVID-19 levels. Ninety-seven percent of bankers saw visits to their bank's mobile app rise, mirroring the percent of those that reported a decline in in foot traffic at branches. Despite the almost universal decline in branch traffic, only 7% indicated their institutions plan to reduce the number of branches following the pandemic. Four percent of banks less than $1 billion in assets indicated they plan to close branches after the pandemic, while 25% of banks $1-10 billion indicated they plan to close branches. More details, including banker projections for the economy, loan demand, and deposit competition, are available in this third-quarter report from IntraFi Network (formerly Promontory Interfinancial Network). Read More
According to the latest Bank Executive Business Outlook Survey report of more than 500 top bank executives nationwide, nearly 98 percent indicated that monthly foot traffic at their branches had dropped compared to pre-COVID-19 levels. Ninety-seven percent of bankers saw visits to their bank's mobile app rise, mirroring the percent of those that reported a decline in in foot traffic at branches. Despite the almost universal decline in branch traffic, only 7% indicated their institutions plan to reduce the number of branches following the pandemic. Four percent of banks less than $1 billion in assets indicated they plan to close branches after the pandemic, while 25% of banks $1-10 billion indicated they plan to close branches. More details, including banker projections for the economy, loan demand, and deposit competition, are available in this third-quarter report from IntraFi Network (formerly Promontory Interfinancial Network). Read More
Georgia’s community bankers do great things in their communities every day. Here is the latest on community outreach and news from CBA Members:
- Georgia Primary Bank, Atlanta was excited to participate in their 10th Annual Toy Drive for Toys For Tots. Even through the pandemic, customers and employees alike donated toys to help brighten a child’s holiday! Celebrating their 10th year of donating toys for Toys For Tots!
- The Claxton Bank, Tippins Bank and South Georgia Bank came together for the first annual Battle of the Banks Food Drive. All three banks promoted the event to raise awareness and to collect money and non-perishable food items for The Evans County Christian Food Bank. Each item or dollar donated counted as one point, and the bank with the most points at the end of the event would win bragging rights for the next year. The banks collected a total of 5,403 units of food and $1,260 dollars cash to help fill the shelves and provide food to families in need throughout the holidays and well into the next year.
- United Community Bank is proud to announce gifts totaling $20,000 to five United Way chapters throughout the bank’s southeastern footprint. The donations were made on behalf of an interactive online campaign the bank hosted in collaboration with its customers. Receiving organizations included Trident United Way (SC), United Way of Central Carolinas (NC), United Way of White County (GA), Habersham County United Way (GA) and United Way of Greater Atlanta.
- Oconee State Bank, Watkinsville, establishes foundation to commemorate 60th Anniversary. Read press release here.
- PeoplesSouth Bank, Donalsonville, has donated $17,000 to Donalsonville Hospital through the Georgia HEART Rural Tax credit program for 2020. This is the second year in a row that the bank has invested in rural healthcare at Donalsonville Hospital and comes in the midst of their ninth month battling locally with the COVID-19 global pandemic.
- Congratulations to South Georgia Banking Company, Tifton on the bank’s 50th Anniversary. Read about the bank’s history and comments from bank President & CEO Glenn Willis.

Sympathies
CBA offers our sincere sympathy to family, friends and associates of Doug Anderton, who passed away recently. Mr. Anderton served on the Board of Directors of Citizens Bank & Trust in Trenton and was one of the founders of the bank. Please find the obituary here.
CBA offers our sincere sympathy to family, friends and associates of Doug Anderton, who passed away recently. Mr. Anderton served on the Board of Directors of Citizens Bank & Trust in Trenton and was one of the founders of the bank. Please find the obituary here.
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Freeman, Mathis & Gary, LLP announces the following attorneys have recently joined the firm:

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:
![]() TRID Basics - Macon
January 26-27, 2021 | In-Person or STREAM Whether you are new to the TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosures (TRID) for consumer mortgages or just want a deep dive refresher into the basics, this two-day TRID Workshop has it all. |
HMDA - The Essentials - Macon
January 28, 2021 | In-Person A real-world approach to the regulation and explanations of common errors and violations. Whether you are new to HMDA or have been reporting for years you won't want to miss HMDA The Essentials. |

Save the Date for ICBA Securities 2021 Webinars
ICBA Securities has released their calendar of 2021 webinar topics and dates. Different series include the Community Bank series, Economic Update series and Bank Advisory and Strategic Services series. There is no cost for Vining Sparks customers and community bank members and prospects. CPE credit is available for all webinar. Click here to learn more.
ICBA Securities has released their calendar of 2021 webinar topics and dates. Different series include the Community Bank series, Economic Update series and Bank Advisory and Strategic Services series. There is no cost for Vining Sparks customers and community bank members and prospects. CPE credit is available for all webinar. Click here to learn more.

Webinar: Seven Ways to Prepare for Your 2021 Bank Insurance Renewal
January 21, 2021 | 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
As we look forward to a new year with hopes of saying goodbye to 2020’s explosion of COVID-19, civil unrest, cyber-crime, PPP loans and economic disruption, your financial institution cannot afford to ignore the impacts that these elements will have on your 2021 insurance renewal. Join us where we will discuss how your financial institution can be thoroughly prepared for your renewal. Topics will include: Market conditions and the acceptable range of premium increases; Impact of COVID-19 claims on your renewal; Preparing for new “Exclusions of Coverage”; What is negotiable with your carrier and what is set in stone? 5 essential cyber-crime coverages; Renewal submission and more. Click here to register.
January 21, 2021 | 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
As we look forward to a new year with hopes of saying goodbye to 2020’s explosion of COVID-19, civil unrest, cyber-crime, PPP loans and economic disruption, your financial institution cannot afford to ignore the impacts that these elements will have on your 2021 insurance renewal. Join us where we will discuss how your financial institution can be thoroughly prepared for your renewal. Topics will include: Market conditions and the acceptable range of premium increases; Impact of COVID-19 claims on your renewal; Preparing for new “Exclusions of Coverage”; What is negotiable with your carrier and what is set in stone? 5 essential cyber-crime coverages; Renewal submission and more. Click here to register.
ACG has proudly served the interest of Georgia Community Banks for over 30 years. ACG stands for quality, expertise, and unparalleled service. For the past 30 years ACG has been a trusted industry leader in providing comprehensive ATM products & services to Financial Institutions, ATM Deployment Companies, Service and Maintenance Companies, and ATM Parts Brokers across the globe.
To learn more, contact Phil Winn at 678-458-9899 or visit their website. |
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