October 9 - CBA Today eNewsletter - Community Bankers Association of Georgia

CBA of Georgia is supporting the Enhancing Credit Opportunities in Rural America Act of 2019 (the ECORA Act, H.R. 1872/S. 1641), which will promote access to credit and reduce borrowing costs for rural borrowers. This legislation would allow community banks to help farmers remain viable in a sometimes-challenging environment. It exempts interest on loans--secured by agricultural real estate--from taxable income, giving lenders more flexibility to work with farmers, ranchers and rural homeowners and providing lenders with a strong incentive to continue to make these loans.

Please ask your members of Congress to support rural America and the community banks who serve them by cosponsoring the ECORA Act. Visit ICBA's website to review talking points and sample letters that you can send to your representatives. Contact your congressman.

Ron Quinn (l) and outgoing Chairman Tim Jones with his wife Bobbie (r)

CBA Elects 2019-2020 Board of Directors Chaired by Ron Quinn
Ron Quinn, President & CEO, Peach State Bank & Trust, Gainesville, has been elected Chairman of the Board of Directors of Community Bankers Association of Georgia. Nominations for the 2019-20 CBA Board of Directors were announced and approved at CBA’s Annual Meeting & Trade Show, held in September at The Ritz Carlton in Amelia Island, FL. Ron's term began on October 1, 2019. See the 2019-2020 Board of Directors.

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

Commercial Banking Company, Hahira, was an active part in the recent Hahira Honey Bee Festival. Team members from the bank helped spread awareness of elder abuse and financial fraud at the Hahira Honeybee Senior Walk. The bank also participated in the 5K run and the the Honeybee Parade. In addition, team members from Valdosta recently competed in the Valdosta Rotary Club Corporate Charity Challenge to benefit Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
Altamaha Bank, Vidalia, recently hosted a yard sale fundraiser to benefit the Vidalia Learning Center and Toombs County After School.
For Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, PrimeSouth Bank, Waycross, hosted a Go Gold photo backdrop at multiple branches for visitors to their photos on social media. For each photo posted, the bank donated one dollar towards the cure for childhood cancer.
South Georgia Banking Company, Cordele, recently provided board games, card games, and lunch bags to Crisp County Elementary School for their “Good Behavior” program rewarding students showing exemplary behavior.
Team members from TC Federal Bank, Thomasville, recently visited a Pre-K class at Jerger Elementary School to explain the importance of saving money. Pictured are Sara Blankenship and Cindy Weier from the bank.
MetroCity Bankshares, Inc., the bank holding company for Metro City Bank, Doraville, recently announced the pricing of its initial public offering of 1,939,000 shares of common stock at a price to the public of $13.50 per share. Read more.

CBA PAC/PR Fund Update
We are pleased to announce a recent contribution to the CBA Political Affairs Committee and Public Relations (PAC/PR) Fund.

Special thanks to our recent contributor:

Bank of Dawson

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.

Ben Hulbert has joined Morris Bank, Warner Robins, as Market President in Houston County.

Pete Stuart has joined Morris Bank, Dublin, as Bank Security Officer.

Penny Byrd has joined Morris Bank, Warner Robins, as a Commercial Banker.

Paul Hoerig has joined Heritage Southeast Bank, Jonesboro, as Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer.

Sandy Arrington of South Georgia Banking Company, Tifton, has been promoted to Senior Vice President.

Helen Willis of South Georgia Banking Company, Tifton, has been promoted to Senior Vice President.

Donna Watson of South Georgia Banking Company, Tifton, has been promoted to Senior Vice President.

Jane Justice of South Georgia Banking Company, Omega, has been promoted to Vice President and Branch Manager.

Lynne Irvin of South Georgia Banking Company, Tifton, has been promoted to Vice President.

Mika Cauthen of South Georgia Banking Company, Tifton, has been promoted to Assistant Vice President.

Campbell Brantley has joined James-Bates-Brannan-Groover-LLP, Macon, as a part of the firm's Financial Institution and Real Estate practice group.

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:

(t-b; l-r) Instructors for Compliance Conference: Leah Hamilton, Mark Burnside, David Luken; instructor for supervisory training: Dianne Barton

Register for CBA's Compliance Conference & Supervisory Training Program
Join us for our Compliance Conference at the beautiful Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa to get the latest Enterprise Wide, Deposit and/or Lending compliance emerging risks. You choose: full conference, deposit and/or Loan sessions. Call us to learn more. See the flyer.

We are bringing back our Supervisory Training. Talent Development is important for community bank cultures. Being an influential leader, coach and supervisor for your team members supports talent retention. Sign up today for this one and half day workshop to grow your professional supervisory role. See the flyer.

Don't Forget to Order Your Copy of the 2019 CBA Salary Survey
CBA's 2019 Georgia Community Bank Salary Survey is a compilation of current salaries and general benefits for common positions within Georgia's community banks and can be a vital tool when determining competitive pay and benefits for employee recruitment and retention. Non-participating member banks are able to purchase the survey for $275 and the non-member cost is $475. Click here to order your copy.

FREE Webinar: Bank Investment Strategies for 4th Quarter 2019
TOMORROW: Thursday, October 10, 2019 | 11:30 AM ET

The Baker Group, a CBA Endorsed Member Company, is hosting a complimentary webinar on investment strategies for the 4th quarter. General topics will include: Fed policy outlook, market conditions, and the threat of negative rates; regulatory update; balance sheet strategies for the next cycle; modified reperforming MBS; impact of potential peak in cost of funds. Click here to register.

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

OCTOBER 9, 2019