November 18 - CBA Today eNewsletter - COMMUNITY BANKERS ASSOCIATION OF GEORGIA

In a little over a year, CBA’s signature legislation has now closed in on $200 million of deposits placed using reciprocal deposit services. Nearly half of Georgia’s community banks have either signed up with a third-party provider or are in the queue to do so with their core processor.

“This is truly an amazing milestone-especially considering the events of the past several months,” stated John McNair, President & CEO of CBA of GA. “The success of the legislation illustrates the demand. CBA was proud to champion this legislation through the general assembly and secure the signature of Governor Kemp at CBA’s headquarters.”

“For years, large banks have had an unfair advantage with respect to competing for municipal deposits. Community banks, with limited securities portfolios and record-keeping capabilities, were forced to pledge collateral in order to accept deposits from their local municipalities,” explained Mr. McNair. “SB157 allows banks to place deposits using reciprocal deposit services of approved third-party providers and insure the deposits with FDIC insurance. This has been a game changer for Georgia’s community banks and clearly illustrates the advocacy strength of CBA and Georgia’s community banking industry.”

According to Kelly Stone, President/CEO, Community Bank of Georgia in Baxley, “The biggest way that this legislature has helped our bank was to increase our liquidity. After that it allowed us to go after other local municipal deposits that we have not been able to go after in the past. Being the only locally owned and operated bank in town, we want to be the “go to” bank for our local funds.” Read full article here.

Kelly Stone

Danny Capitel

Cost Effective Health Insurance Options - A Reality for Georgia Community Banks
Several weeks ago, CBA launched CBA Wellness Solutions for the benefit of member banks and partner firms. The health insurance component is already having a positive impact for CBA member banks. Even with historically low premium increases, CBA’s captive model solution offered by CS&O Captives (www.csocaptives.com) is proving to be a cost effective option. Moreover, the ability to customize plan options is providing the additional flexibility needed to attract and retain employees. Should you have questions or wish to explore further, please contact John McNair, Pres/CEO of CBA of GA- john@cbaofga.com. Mid-year options to convert are available.

Welcome Barwick Banking Company!
CBA of Georgia is excited to welcome our newest member to the CBA family- Barwick Banking Company. "I am excited to see management's energy and enthusiasm for embracing technology and growing the bank. The team working hard to position the bank to serve the community for many years to come. On behalf of CBA of Georgia, I am honored the bank has chosen CBA as a partner in this process," stated John McNair, President & CEO of Community Bankers Association of Georgia. “It’s always a great day when we get the opportunity to bring a new member bank into the CBA family. We enthusiastically welcome Chad Bowling and his entire team at Barwick Banking Company and are excited about their future,” said Richy Everly, Bank of Wrightsville and Chair of CBA’s Membership Committee.

“We are excited to have Barwick Banking Company, a banking company that has provided banking services for many many years and Chad Bowling join the CBA," said David Lance, President & CEO of Greater Community Bank and 2020-2021 CBA Chair. "I know that they will benefit from the many services that our association provides as we watch Chad and his bank do great things!”

Elton Collins Receives Lifetime Service Award
Retired banker Elton Collins of Commerce, was recently recognized by the Community Bankers Association of Georgia (CBA) for 44 years of dedicated service to the community banking industry. Mr. Collins was recognized at a luncheon hosted by Ron Quinn, President & CEO, Peach State Bank & Trust and 2019-2020 CBA Chairman; Charles Blair, Executive Vice President and CFO, Peach State Bank & Trust, and guest John McNair, President & CEO, Community Bankers Association of Georgia.

"Georgia is fortunate to have such an impressive number of community bankers who have reached these milestones. It’s our pleasure to honor the men and women who have served the banking needs of their communities and lent their expertise to a new generation of community bankers throughout their careers,” stated Mr. McNair. "We are grateful to leaders like Elton Collins and appreciate his dedicated service to Georgia’s community banking industry.” Read more here.

FDIC Recognizes Community Banks for Filling Critical Need
The FDIC has issued a report noting the importance of community banks in the Paycheck Protection Program during the pandemic. Banks hold the vast majority of the $525 billion in PPP loans made by banks and nonbanks. Community banks’ participation in the PPP outpaced noncommunity banks. As of June 30, 2020, banks held $482 billion, or 92 percent of total PPP loans. Community banks held $148 billion—28 percent of total PPP loans and 31 percent of PPP loans held by banks.

This share is significant, as community banks held 12 percent of total industry assets and 15 percent of total industry loans as of June 30, 2020. Community banks of all sizes participated in the PPP and each size group participated at approximately the same rate as their share of total community bank C&I loans. The PPP program filled a need for credit at a critical time in our nation’s financial history, and community banks’ participation in this lending was instrumental. Click here for report.

Training Need Survey – Would you participate in a PPP Loan Forgiveness Professional Development Class?
Please take a moment to complete the short survey – your input helps CBA develop programs to fit your needs. Thank you!

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

The Baxley Branch of Pineland Bank, Alma, announced its Annual Christmas for Kids Fundraising Event with more than $5,000 in Cash and Prizes to be given away from Dec. 1 through Dec. 25.

Sympathies:
CBA offers our sincere sympathy to the family, friends and former co-worker of Charlotte Hawkins Roberts. A longtime community banker, she worked at First State Bank, Donalsonville, for 27 years. Read more here.

Jenny Farias has been promoted to Assistant Financial Center Manager at the Main Office of Oconee State Bank, Watkinsville.

Hal Jackson has been promoted to Senior Vice President and Oconee Market Executive at Oconee State Bank, Watkinsville.

Congratulations to Cynthia Ledford, Director of Compliance, Planters First Bank, Cordele, on her retirement on November 20, 2020 after 40 years in banking. She was with Planters First for over 23 years.

Karen Allen has joined Heritage Southeast Bank, Atlanta, as Senior Vice President, Director of Marketing.

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:

Quarter IV – Flood, Appraisals and Applications
In-Person or STREAM - Live Virtual Training: 12/1 - Duluth • 12/8 - Statesboro
In-Person: 12/9 - Tifton • 12/10 - Macon
Join us as we highlight the key issues in flood and hazard insurance compliance, including examiner hot buttons, private flood insurance and force placement. The appraisal final rules are coming – what it means to your policy, process and more, including best practices. Then, we will round out the day with the Uniform Residential Loan Application (URLA or 1003) – what it means for you and are you ready for it? Join us as we review the new requirements, the potential challenges and ways to address them.

This seminar is designed to provide insight into the who, what, where, when, how and why in complying with TRID, including any recent changes and clarifications. The comprehensive seminar manual serves as a detailed analysis of the TRID rules, including the amendments, and serves as a valuable reference tool. Register here.

HR & Talent Development RAP Session
Friday, December 11, 2020 | 10 am - 2 pm | Live Virtual STREAM

Sign ups Open for 2021 HR/TD League

Please join us for an interactive session for Information Security Officers and IT leaders on lessons learned from the Pandemic and its aftermath (fingers crossed!). We’ll explore the ISO’s role in helping your organization stay productive, secure and flexible regardless of circumstances. The session will include
presentation from industry experts in technology, policy and compliance and valuable takeaways from the pier discussion.
Register here.

The 2021 Georgia Economic Outlook will be held Thursday, December 3, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. This year’s free, virtual event provides a timely look at the nation’s economic trajectory, the trends shaping our state’s fiscal outlook and what to expect in your local area from highly reliable forecasts based on data and analysis from the Selig Center for Economic Growth. Keynote speaker Dr. David E. Altig, Vice President and Director of Research at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, will deliver the national forecast, and Terry College of Business Dean Benjamin C. Ayers will deliver the state forecast. Register here.

FITECH is a merchant services provider that was founded to serve community banks exclusively. With their relationship first approach, FITECH has been able to assist community banks in being more competitive with merchant services resulting in growth for the bank and adding many benefits for their business customers.

To learn more, contact Matt Mingenback at 662-801-7578 or visit their website.

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

Additional Resources:

November 18, 2020