October 23 - CBA Today eNewsletter - Community Bankers Association of Georgia

Special thanks to the Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC), community bankers from across the state and the William Mills Agency for a productive fintech committee meeting on Monday. Charles Potts, Fintech Catalyst, ATDC, hosted the meeting which included a tour of the ATDC headquarters. The meeting follows an earlier announcement about the ATDC and CBA of Georgia partnership.

The Advanced Technology Development Center, a program of the Georgia Institute of Technology, is the state of Georgia’s technology startup incubator. The purpose of the committee is to bring forward new ideas, issues, and concerns regarding the technology needs at community banks. CBA member banks will actively participate with ATDC in the piloting and testing of these new initiatives as well as provide financial support to entrepreneurs across the state. Committee members identified numerous areas where innovation can improve the customer experience. See CBA's standing committees.

Scenes from the Committee Meeting

Community Bankers Tour Ag Processing Facilities in Douglas, GA
On Friday, October 18th, community bankers met for CBA's Agriculure R.A.P. Session in Douglas, GA. Bankers got to learn more about two of Georgia’s top 10 commodities: cotton & peanuts. In the morning, attendees got to tour the Coffee County Cotton Gin, and in the afternoon, they toured the Premium Peanut facility. Learning more about local agriculture will help support the bankers' opportunities for business growth.

We would like to thank the Coffee County Cotton Gin and Premium Peanut for being generous with their time to teach us more about their industry. We would also like to thank Stephen Lewis, CBA's Agriculture Committee Chairman, for coordinating our tour, and Farmer Mac for sponsoring the networking lunch.

Thank You to Our Sponsor

Scene's from the Ag R.A.P. Session

CBA Displays Georgia State Flag Flown Over State Capitol
At CBA's 51st Annual Convention in September, the Governor's office donated a Georgia state flag to support CBA's Live Auction fundraiser. The Georgia flag was flown over the capitol building and comes with a letter signed by Governor Brian Kemp. Dan Speight, CEO of Planters First Bancorp, won the auction item and allowed CBA the opportunity to display the flag at CBA's headquarters.

CBA recently had the flag framed, along with the letter from the Governor Kemp. The letter honors Georgia's community banks and the role they serve in small business and local communities. Gov. Kemp encourages the owner of the flag to continue making a positive impact on Georgia's local communities. See the letter.

We would like to thank Dan for his willingness to allow CBA to display such a meaningful symbol of the impact Georgia's community banks have on their local economies and communities. CBA continues to fight for the community banks of Georgia and the communities they serve.

Let's Wake Washington Up to the Credit Union Threat
ICBA and the nation's community banks are calling on policymakers and the public to “Wake Up” to the risky practices, costly tax subsidies, and irresponsibly lax oversight of the nation’s credit unions. The “Wake Up” campaign encourages policymakers to open their eyes to the growing threats posed by credit unions' abandonment of their founding mission facilitated by their captive federal regulator, the National Credit Union Administration. It is long past time for policymakers to wake up to the new realities of the credit union industry and subject it to the same level of scrutiny for the sake of our nation’s consumers and economic well-being. This is not the time to press snooze. Contact Congress and learn more about the campaign.

Georgia’s community bankers do great things in their communities every day. Here is the latest on community outreach and news from CBA Members:

Community banks across Georgia celebrated Georgia Peanut Bank Week last week. South Georgia Banking Company, Tifton, held their Spread Hope peanut butter drive to aid local food pantries all throughout south Georgia. The drive donated more than 200 cases of peanut butter to local charities. Queensborough National Bank & Trust Company, Inc., Louisville, spread awareness of Georgia's peanut industry and gave out samples of Georgia peanuts at all branch locations. Georgia Community Bank, Baxley, also took part by celebrating with bank customers.
As part of the Rural Hospital Tax Credit Program, Queensborough National Bank & Trust Company, Inc., Louisville, recently contributed $50,000 to Jefferson Hospital. The contribution will help the hospital better serve Jefferson and surrounding counties. The tax credit program positively affects rural healthcare throughout the state of Georgia.

In addition, the bank has donated over $6,000 to the Children's Hospital of Georgia with funds raised from the bank's Queensborough's Pageant for a Cause event.

The bank also recently volunteered for the Miracle Mile walk in Augusta. The walk supports University Health Care's Center for Breast Health Services and the Women’s Wellness on Wheels mobile unit.

Lastly, employee's from the bank's Sandersville branch spent time at the Washington County Senior Center to educate seniors about protecting themselves from fraud and elder abuse.
As part of Ameris Bank's Helping Fight Hunger food drive, Chantaria Mack from STS Group recently donated over 200 non-perishable items to help fight hunger. Read more.
First National Bank of Coffee County, Douglas, recently donated $700 to the Big Red Club for the Atkinson County High School varsity football team. As a sponsor, the bank donated $100 for each touchdown scored in the Lanier County and Telfair County games this season.

In addition, the bank recently hosted the Exceptionalities Students of Coffee High School. The group enjoyed a tour of the bank with gifts and lessons on saving and banking.
Employees from Rabun County Bank, Dillard, recently donated $500 to the Dillard Police Department. Pictured are Claude Dillard, Fredda Beck and Sue Speed from the bank.
Citizens Bank and Trust Company recently held a community shred day at its Eastman and Cochran branches.
Tippins Bank, Claxton (a division of Glennville Bank), recently participated in Hispanic Heritage Day at Claxton Elementary School.
Signature Bank of Georgia, Sandy Springs, was recently ranked among the top 20 SBA 7(A) lenders by the Small Business Administration Georgia District Office. Read more.
United Community Bank, Atlanta, is pleased to welcome four new bankers to its rapidly growing Atlanta team. Led by Jill Edwards, Commercial Lending Division Manager, the team will focus on Greater Atlanta and Gwinnett County. Joining Edwards are Kelly Tumbleston and Kristy Hunter, both Commercial Relationship Managers, and Martine Noel, Senior Commercial LOA. Read more.

Eva Farag has joined Oconee State Bank, Lawrenceville, as a member of the Gwinnett Commercial Team.

Cheyenne Holton of Pineland Bank, Alma, has been promoted to HR Assistant.

Pam Deen of Pineland Bank, Alma, has been promoted to Lobby Manager.

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:

Scott and Carrie Couch Deliver Aid to the Bahamas

Scott Couch's Bahamas Relief Featured in CBA's Fall Magazine
When Scott Couch, President and CEO of STS Group, saw the coverage of the devastation in the Bahamas from Hurricane Dorian and pitched an idea to his family to take his truck and enclosed trailer, and drive it from Madison, AL to the CBA Annual Meeting in Amelia Island, FL, collecting supplies for hurricane victims along the way.

Scott connected with a couple of retired pilots that were flying relief missions to the Bahamas. He met up with the pilots, helped them load the plane with all the donated supplies, and took off to the Bahamas. Over the course of three weeks, Scott, his wife Carrie, and the pilots flew over 20 round trips to the Bahamas to deliver supplies. Overall, Scott and his team took about 12,000 pounds of supplies to the Bahamas.

“I could not have done this without everyone at STS Group and the help of CBA and its members," said Scott. "They all stepped up and did their part so that we could do our part down in the Bahamas and help create a culture that changes the world. Thank you all so much.”

You can read the full article in CBA's Fall 2019 issue of Georgia Communities First magazine. This is a digital-exclusive issue available on all devices. Click here to read the article.

Here are some of the latest national news stories relevant to community banking and the financial services industry:

OCTOBER 23, 2019