
CBA, ICBA and State Associations Continue to Push for EIDL Fix
CBA, ICBA and 43 state community banking associations called on Congress to fully forgive Economic Injury Disaster Loan Advances for recipients who also have a Paycheck Protection Program loan.
In a joint letter, the organizations said EIDL advances are converting to unexpected debt during the PPP forgiveness process. ICBA has continuously pushed for an EIDL fix, as detailed in an op-ed on Medium.
With Congress running out of time to pass a stimulus package by year-end, ICBA is calling on community bankers to reach out to their lawmakers and enlist small-business customers on this and other remaining priorities:
CBA, ICBA and 43 state community banking associations called on Congress to fully forgive Economic Injury Disaster Loan Advances for recipients who also have a Paycheck Protection Program loan.
In a joint letter, the organizations said EIDL advances are converting to unexpected debt during the PPP forgiveness process. ICBA has continuously pushed for an EIDL fix, as detailed in an op-ed on Medium.
With Congress running out of time to pass a stimulus package by year-end, ICBA is calling on community bankers to reach out to their lawmakers and enlist small-business customers on this and other remaining priorities:
- Tell Congress to pass top stimulus priorities, including PPP reforms.
- Urge lawmakers to address the EIDL advance debt trap.
- Immediately enlist affected small-business customers to push for an EIDL fix.

John McNair to Serve on Small Business Panel for University of Delaware
John McNair, CBA President & CEO, has been invited to serve on a panel for the University of Delaware Lerner College of Business & Economics on Thursday, December 17, 2020. The program is titled “Weathering the COVID Storm – Keeping Small Businesses Afloat,” and will discuss the challenges and opportunities for small business owners who are facing unique challenges of staying afloat during the pandemic. The discussion will include gaining access to financial support through the PPP program and the strategies that can help small businesses to be nimble and prepared for financial challenges. We will also discuss how consumers can support small business ventures. Mr. McNair is a graduate of the University of Delaware with a B.A. in Economics. Click here for more info.
John McNair, CBA President & CEO, has been invited to serve on a panel for the University of Delaware Lerner College of Business & Economics on Thursday, December 17, 2020. The program is titled “Weathering the COVID Storm – Keeping Small Businesses Afloat,” and will discuss the challenges and opportunities for small business owners who are facing unique challenges of staying afloat during the pandemic. The discussion will include gaining access to financial support through the PPP program and the strategies that can help small businesses to be nimble and prepared for financial challenges. We will also discuss how consumers can support small business ventures. Mr. McNair is a graduate of the University of Delaware with a B.A. in Economics. Click here for more info.

2020 DBF Proposed Rulemaking
Pursuant to the provisions of the Georgia Administrative Procedure Act, O.C.G.A. § 50-13-1 et seq., and by the authority of O.C.G.A. §§ 7-1-61, 7-1-690, 7-1-706.1, 7-1-1012, and other cited statutes, the Department of Banking and Finance hereby gives notice of its intent to adopt new rules.
A synopsis and purpose precedes the proposed rules. Click here to read.
Comments to the Department of Banking and Finance must be received by the close of business on Wednesday, January 6, 2021.
Pursuant to the provisions of the Georgia Administrative Procedure Act, O.C.G.A. § 50-13-1 et seq., and by the authority of O.C.G.A. §§ 7-1-61, 7-1-690, 7-1-706.1, 7-1-1012, and other cited statutes, the Department of Banking and Finance hereby gives notice of its intent to adopt new rules.
A synopsis and purpose precedes the proposed rules. Click here to read.
Comments to the Department of Banking and Finance must be received by the close of business on Wednesday, January 6, 2021.

Can a community bank still be small?
A recent study conducted by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, published in Report No. 2020-06 Economies of Scale in Community Banks, surveyed 20 years of community bank (<= $10 B in assets) economic data, pre and post-crisis, with the goal of determining the sweet spot for community bank economies of scale or, put differently, determining whether or not a small community bank can remain competitive despite increased costs associated with the current regulatory and technological landscape.
The FDIC’s study finds that community banks obtain the most economies of scale with total loans between $300 million and $3.3 billion. While there is still room in these numbers for recognizing efficiencies through consolidation among smaller institutions, these findings suggest that healthy efficiency benchmarks are attainable for many relatively small institutions, despite increasing compliance obligations and demands for expensive technological products. The FDIC’s analysis suggests that community banks recognize 90% of their efficiency gains by the time they reach $300 million in total loans, 95% by the time they reach $600 Million in total loans, and maximum efficiencies are reached by the time the loan portfolio grows to $3.3 billion. While each specific community bank is different and the FDIC’s study does not endeavor to demonstrate a causal relationship between the size of a bank’s loan portfolio and that same bank’s efficiency, the findings in the FDIC’s report should be welcome news to many smaller community banks. Bigger is not always better, particularly when it comes to recognizing economies of scale in your bank’s operations. Thank you to CBA Associate Member John W. Sillay, Adams, Hemingway, Wilson & Rutledge, LLC, for summarizing the study.
A recent study conducted by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, published in Report No. 2020-06 Economies of Scale in Community Banks, surveyed 20 years of community bank (<= $10 B in assets) economic data, pre and post-crisis, with the goal of determining the sweet spot for community bank economies of scale or, put differently, determining whether or not a small community bank can remain competitive despite increased costs associated with the current regulatory and technological landscape.
The FDIC’s study finds that community banks obtain the most economies of scale with total loans between $300 million and $3.3 billion. While there is still room in these numbers for recognizing efficiencies through consolidation among smaller institutions, these findings suggest that healthy efficiency benchmarks are attainable for many relatively small institutions, despite increasing compliance obligations and demands for expensive technological products. The FDIC’s analysis suggests that community banks recognize 90% of their efficiency gains by the time they reach $300 million in total loans, 95% by the time they reach $600 Million in total loans, and maximum efficiencies are reached by the time the loan portfolio grows to $3.3 billion. While each specific community bank is different and the FDIC’s study does not endeavor to demonstrate a causal relationship between the size of a bank’s loan portfolio and that same bank’s efficiency, the findings in the FDIC’s report should be welcome news to many smaller community banks. Bigger is not always better, particularly when it comes to recognizing economies of scale in your bank’s operations. Thank you to CBA Associate Member John W. Sillay, Adams, Hemingway, Wilson & Rutledge, LLC, for summarizing the study.
Georgia’s community bankers do great things in their communities every day. Here is the latest on community outreach and news from CBA Members:
- First Chatham Bank, Savannah, was proud to support their friends at Union Mission by providing Christmas gifts for homeless families this holiday season. FCB’s employees collected gifts during their recent Thoughtful Thursday event, part of the bank’s Christmas Treat Week.
- First Chatham Bank, Savannah, was proud to recently help sponsor Thanksgiving “Boxes of Hope,” a project of local food pantry, Manna House Ministries. FCB’s employees raised funds to sponsor the event and through donations they were able to provide a Thanksgiving meal box to 1,500 deserving families!
- Planters Bank of Cordele donated bikes, helmets, toys, and a monetary gift to the The Gateway Center, Inc. and Georgia State Patrol Post 30's Adopt an Angel Toy Drive. A huge shout out to our wonderful customers and banking team for their donations and support.
- Peach State Bank, Gainesville, recently held Festive Day at the bank. Check out some of their cute and ugly Christmas sweaters!
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The Board of Directors of Family Bank, Pelham, announce the retirement of Charles D. Rooks, CEO and Beth L. Barfield, Executive Vice President effective the end of this year. Rooks has been President & CEO of Family Bank since 1998. Mrs. Barfield has been Vice President and most recently Executive Vice President since 1998. Read press release.

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:
AgoraEversole offers community banks across Georgia comprehensive marketing and advertising solutions. The traditional program serves needs for newspaper, radio, collateral pieces, etc. Digital marketing services offered include the GetSocial social media program, Website Design, SEO (Search Engine Optimization), Digital Advertising, and other related marketing services. A total marketing solution under one roof!
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Here are some of the latest news stories relevant to community banking and the financial services industry:
Additional Resources:
- Atlanta Business Chronicle Names Georgia’s Top 10 Community Banks
- CFPB finalizes QM reforms
- FDIC amends branch application requirements
- Our Credit Lives on Main Street - Guest Article from PSP QwickRate/IntelliCredit
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