Dec 22 - CBA Today eNewsletter - Community Bankers Association of Georgia

Whether it is sponsoring local high school teams, fundraising for charity, or volunteering for any number of worthy organizations or causes, Georgia’s community bankers are well known for their commitment to service. As pillars of their respective communities, community bankers view service as their solemn responsibility and duty. They don’t seek accolades and do not want special recognition—they just roll up their sleeves and do what is needed.

This “service from the heart” is so meaningful for millions of our fellow Georgian’s each year—especially now. With the holiday season in full swing, it is a great time to reflect on all the good you have done for your communities, and be thankful to be in a position to serve. It is a special privilege to be able to help others and serve communities and state the way that you do.

From all of us at CBA, THANK YOU for giving us the opportunity to serve you. We are humbled by all that you do and endeavor every day to be worthy of the trust you put in us.

Have a Joyous Holiday Season!
John McNair & CBA Team

Thank You to Our Fintech Forum Sponsors
The inaugural Fintech Forum, held last week at Georgia Tech Hotel & Conference Center, was an incredible success. The energy and excitement for upcoming programs and networking events is contagious.

Without the amazing support of our sponsors and friends, the program would not have been possible… Thank you! Click here for more info on speakers and photos from the event.

Stay tuned for the launch of CBA’s 2022 innovation-focused professional development programs.

Announcing: Georgia Fintech Quarterly Magazine
One of Georgia's most important and fastest-growing industries is financial technology or FinTech. Georgia’s community banks are embracing financial technology faster than ever before. In addition to engaging with the four major fintech organizations, CBA’s Innovation Committee members are constantly researching solutions for efficiency, improving the customer experience and generating revenue.

Distributed to CEOs, LEAD Reps, Fintech professionals, IT, Operations and CFOs, the new Georgia Fintech Quarterly Magazine offers the opportunity to showcase your business to this targeted audience.

Space is limited; secure your ad space today. Deadline for the inaugural issue, published in mid-February, is January 15, 2021. Contact Lindsay Greene or (770) 541-0376 for more information.

Update on the Federal Vaccination Mandate for Private Employers of 100 Employees or More
This past Friday, December 17, 2021, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals issued an opinion that dissolved the stay of the OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard (“ETS”) (i.e., the private employer vaccine mandate) previously entered by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. This means that the ETS is now in full force and effect for private employers of 100 or more employees. As a reminder, the ETS originally required all employees to be fully vaccinated by January 4, 2022, or provide proof of exception (i.e., religion, vaccine is “medically contraindicated” or medical necessity requires a delay in vaccination). Further, the ETS required employees who are not fully vaccinated to subject to weekly COVID-19 testing and, in most circumstances, wear a face covering indoors or when occupying a vehicle with another person for work purposes.

After the Sixth Circuit’s opinion was rendered on Friday, the Department of Labor pushed the compliance deadline back from January 4, 2022 to January 10, 2022, for the policy and February 9, 2022, for the testing requirements of the ETS so long as the employer is exercising reasonable, good faith efforts to comply with the ETS. This good faith standard likely means that private employers of 100 or more employees must have a mandatory vaccination policy in place, have polled their workforce regarding vaccination status (along with obtaining proof), and (at least by February 9) start testing and mandating face coverings for those employees who are not vaccinated. If an employee has received the first shot but not the second, they are subject to the testing/facemask requirement until they receive both shots of Pfizer/Moderna. The ETS does not define “fully vaccinated” to include booster shots.

This matter is now before the Supreme Court, so stay tuned for continuing updates. If James-Bates-Brannan-Groover-LLP can assist you with developing your mandatory vaccination policy or procedures or answer questions related to the ETS, please contact Grant Greenwood.

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

April Brackin, Branch Manager at the Rincon Office of First Chatham Bank, Savannah, recently received the Beacon Award as Ambassador of the Year from the Effingham Chamber of Commerce.
Planters First Bank, Cordele: Pictured is the bank’s Enterprise Support Center donating non-perishable food items for the Holiday Food Drive hosted by the Cordele Banking Center. All items collected will be donated to local food banks to help families in our community enjoy Christmas.

Planters First Bank, Cordele is pleased to announce the recent promotion of Eli Tinsley to Bank CEO, Dan Duchnowski to Chief Banking Officer, and Pamela Wheeler to EVP, Director of Enterprise Risk Management. Read press release.

Eli Tinsley

Dan Duchnowski

Pamela Wheeler

Susan Wilson, Director of Human Resources, Planters First Bank, Cordele, will retire on December 31, 2021. Congratulations!

Gail Curl, City President, Durden Banking Co., Inc., Metter, recently celebrated 50 years as a Georgia banker.

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:

ALLL and CECL: The New Accounting Standard Required to Calculate and Maintain the Allowance for Loans and Lease Losses
After completing this course, the participant will have an enhanced understanding of the importance of creating and maintaining an adequate allowance that is legally defensible and insures the bank is operating in a safe and sound environment under the CECL Methodology. Learn more and register.

Credit Analyst
Training the Credit Analyst Level 1 is a course designed to address the needs of credit analysts with little or no experience in this position. It is also designed for credit analysts and/or commercial lenders (including branch managers) with no formal training in accounting and credit analysis. Learn more here.

2022 Leadership Academy
Inspired by CBA’s LEAD Committee, the Community Bank Leadership Academy is designed specifically for the future community bank leader. This series of four sessions will benefit the attendees through individual self-discovery, personal and professional growth and career development. Each participant will walk away with their own personal development plan. The workshops are designed to bring continuity and sustainable accomplishments, which will allow each participant to build positive influence, team connections and ongoing learning resources. The Academy aims to support Georgia’s community banks in the development of its people so that these bankers will become impactful leaders of influence—for the bank, themselves and their communities. Learn more here.

Travelers knows financial institutions. With dedicated policies for financial institutions, Travelers offers a range of insurance protection, including D&O, cyber, professional liability, financial institution bonds, ID fraud expense reimbursement and a full portfolio of property/casualty coverages. Choose either standalone coverage or a suite of coverages. Travelers has the flexibility to adapt to you and your business.

To learn more, contact Diana Baker at 404-386-7145 or visit their website.

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

December 22, 2021