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Check Out Our
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With the 2022 elections behind us, there are more than 50 new lawmakers serving in the General Assembly. Several of these freshmen are already familiar with the banking industry, currently serving as a director on a bank board or employed by a bank. Many veteran lawmakers are also affiliated with a community bank. With this group of well-respected new and returning lawmakers, the community banking community has advocates well-positioned within the House and Senate.
Lori Godfrey, EVP, Government & Regulatory Relations at CBA, visited with bankers serving in the Georgia legislature and compiled a quick snapshot to include their committees, previous experience, a quote, and of course, their banking experience.
Community bankers are as diversified as the communities they serve. Since legislators are a representation of their communities, it is not surprising that these bankers have had and will continue to have an impact on the overall well-being of Georgia. Read more about Georgia bankers serving in the legislature.
Lori Godfrey, EVP, Government & Regulatory Relations at CBA, visited with bankers serving in the Georgia legislature and compiled a quick snapshot to include their committees, previous experience, a quote, and of course, their banking experience.
Community bankers are as diversified as the communities they serve. Since legislators are a representation of their communities, it is not surprising that these bankers have had and will continue to have an impact on the overall well-being of Georgia. Read more about Georgia bankers serving in the legislature.

Derek Williams Takes Over as 2023-2024 ICBA Chair in March
Derek Williams, President & CEO, Century Bank & Trust, Milledgeville, will be the first Georgia banker to serve as Chairman of the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) since 1976. ICBA’s board will vote on the nominations during ICBA LIVE 2023 in March. ICBA promotes the interests of community banks across the nation through advocacy, education, and products.
John McNair, President & CEO, Community Bankers Association of Georgia, stated, "I am extremely proud, pleased, and excited for CBA Board Member Derek Williams to serve as the ICBA national chair. This is an incredible honor for Derek and his family, CBA, and Georgia’s community banking industry.”
“I am privileged to have been nominated and elected Chairman of the Board for ICBA,” Derek said. “I am committed to the principles of community banking, which we utilize at Century Bank & Trust, and will work diligently to ensure that community banks across America will continue to flourish and exceed the expectations of our customers.”
Derek Williams, President & CEO, Century Bank & Trust, Milledgeville, will be the first Georgia banker to serve as Chairman of the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) since 1976. ICBA’s board will vote on the nominations during ICBA LIVE 2023 in March. ICBA promotes the interests of community banks across the nation through advocacy, education, and products.
John McNair, President & CEO, Community Bankers Association of Georgia, stated, "I am extremely proud, pleased, and excited for CBA Board Member Derek Williams to serve as the ICBA national chair. This is an incredible honor for Derek and his family, CBA, and Georgia’s community banking industry.”
“I am privileged to have been nominated and elected Chairman of the Board for ICBA,” Derek said. “I am committed to the principles of community banking, which we utilize at Century Bank & Trust, and will work diligently to ensure that community banks across America will continue to flourish and exceed the expectations of our customers.”
Innovation Forum Ag Technology—Calling Ag Lenders!
March 8, 2023 | UGA Tifton As agriculture has grown and changed, affecting what happens on a farm and its financing, community banks have drawn on technology to complement the human touch while never losing sight of what matters most. Explore where technology can help and not create a hindrance when guided by the best interests of customers. Join your fellow community bankers to hear from Charles Potts, EVP and Chief Innovation Officer at ICBA. Charles and his team at ICBA have lined up a showcase of technologies to support our ongoing innovation and learning. Hear from Cropline Financial, AquaOso, and Vizaline. Plus, we will host a round table discussion after our networking lunch. The program is from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Learn more and register. |
55th Annual Convention & Mini-Trade Show—Have You Registered?
Visit the CONNECT Resource page for everything you need: agenda, registration, hotel info and more. During your free time, the options are endless—whether you're looking to immerse yourself in a rich coastal culture, hop on a tour, splash in the waves or find your bliss in a spa oasis, you'll find what you are looking for in Charleston.
Visit the CONNECT Resource page for everything you need: agenda, registration, hotel info and more. During your free time, the options are endless—whether you're looking to immerse yourself in a rich coastal culture, hop on a tour, splash in the waves or find your bliss in a spa oasis, you'll find what you are looking for in Charleston.

Promote in Your Community!
2023 Julian & Jan Hester Scholarship
Again this year, CBA is offering the Julian & Jan Hester Memorial Scholarship for high school seniors. The goal of the scholarship is to assist deserving high school seniors in their first year of college and to promote community banking. To compete, students must be sponsored by a local community bank, complete an activity record expressing their leadership activity in school, write a short essay on community banking, provide teacher recommendations and an official high school transcript. Awards are based on academic merit and not financial need. CBA will award four $1,000 scholarships.
Visit the Hester Scholarship page for bank information, a press release, student application and Frequently Asked Questions. Applications are due to the bank on April 7, 2023, and to CBA by April 14, 2023.
2023 Julian & Jan Hester Scholarship
Again this year, CBA is offering the Julian & Jan Hester Memorial Scholarship for high school seniors. The goal of the scholarship is to assist deserving high school seniors in their first year of college and to promote community banking. To compete, students must be sponsored by a local community bank, complete an activity record expressing their leadership activity in school, write a short essay on community banking, provide teacher recommendations and an official high school transcript. Awards are based on academic merit and not financial need. CBA will award four $1,000 scholarships.
Visit the Hester Scholarship page for bank information, a press release, student application and Frequently Asked Questions. Applications are due to the bank on April 7, 2023, and to CBA by April 14, 2023.
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 Brad Thompson Family was awarded The Seminole County Farm Family of the Year. Brad is a 4th generation farmer and is a member of the First Port City Bank, Bainbridge, Board of Directors.
- Employees of First Port City Bank, Bainbridge, proudly contribute to the United Way annually through payroll deductions in every paycheck.
- Manish Nathwani, Senior Vice President, Enterprise Product and Marketing, SHAZAM, Johnston, IA, has been elected Chair of the U.S. Payments Forum 2023 Steering Committee.
![]() Sympathy
CBA extends our heartfelt condolences to family, friends and former associates of Samuel Albert Way, III, Bank Director/Emeritus at Planters First Bank, Hawkinsville, who passed away on February 12, 2023. Mr. Way was an exceptional bank board leader for 60+ years and made an indelible mark on the bank. Read obituary and service information. |
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Think CBA First for Your Professional Development Needs!
Here are some upcoming CBA events:
Here are some upcoming CBA events:

BSA Forum
February 21, 2023 | Macon
Join your BSA peers at CBA’s refreshed roundtable programming. On February 21, your favorite BSA facilitator, Dianne Barton, will bring updates to continue supporting your bank’s Bank Secrecy Act policies and procedures. Together, we will collaborate to ensure your BSA examination success. Get your discussion topics and questions ready. Submit those to Kristi Greer by Friday, February 17. We will also break up into small groups for continued knowledge development and action.
February 21, 2023 | Macon
Join your BSA peers at CBA’s refreshed roundtable programming. On February 21, your favorite BSA facilitator, Dianne Barton, will bring updates to continue supporting your bank’s Bank Secrecy Act policies and procedures. Together, we will collaborate to ensure your BSA examination success. Get your discussion topics and questions ready. Submit those to Kristi Greer by Friday, February 17. We will also break up into small groups for continued knowledge development and action.
Compliance Officer Bootcamp
February 28–March 3, 2023 | St. Simons During Compliance Officer Bootcamp, we will cover:
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Interested in Reaching HR Directors at Community Banks Across Georgia?
Make sure you participate in CBA’s Annual Human Resources & Talent Development Conference! The conference will be held May 15 – 17, 2023, at the Courtyard Residence Inn by Marriott on beautiful Jekyll Island, Georgia. CBA offers a variety of ways for you to get involved, including a special exhibitor offer with limited availability--only five exhibitors! For more information, contact Lindsay Greene. |

Quarterly Strategy Webcast for Banks
February 23, 2023 | 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. ET
Stifel’s Financial Institutions Strategy Group’s quarterly webcast provides insight on emerging balance sheet, investment, economic and regulatory developments. Discussion topics include:
February 23, 2023 | 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. ET
Stifel’s Financial Institutions Strategy Group’s quarterly webcast provides insight on emerging balance sheet, investment, economic and regulatory developments. Discussion topics include:
- Economic Overview with Chief Economist Lindsey Piegza, Ph.D.
- Liquidity Levers—What to Pull and Why?
- CRA, Tax Credits and SBICs

Business meeting with BHG Financial Executives in Atlanta is taking place March 1-2 at the Moxy Hotel Atlanta Midtown.
Learn more and register for this complimentary program.
Learn more and register for this complimentary program.
P2P Environmental is an environmental and geotechnical firm that provides full-service environmental due diligence assistance for commercial and industrial property transactions, including Records Search with Risk Assessments (RSRA), Transaction Screening Reports, Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESA) and Phase II ESAs. Point to Point Environmental will fast-track your project so that there are no delays in closing.
Contact Mark Faas at 404-640-9674 or visit their website. |
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