March 17- CBA Today eNewsletter

21 Human Resource Professionals got together on Friday morning to swing into the year! Our first RAP session covered several hot topics including: guidance standards for a pandemic, the importance of ongoing communication strategies, timely & immediate feedback for remote workers, success stories, lessons learned, and vaccine policy do’s and do not’s.

During our first RAP, the league participants also communicated what topics they wanted for the 2021 year and we are using their advice to finalize the May HR conference plans.

CBA’s brand new HR & Talent Development League provides multiple learning opportunities, networking, resource sharing and a legal hotline. League participants will continue their engagement throughout 2021 participating in RAP sessions and a HR Conference on the beautiful Jekyll Island (May 13-14). We are extremely thankful for the established partnerships to make this league valuable for our community banks. “As an adult education practitioner, it is exciting to see the engagement of this group and how they will build a network for their own personal and professional development. I am overjoyed to see this group interact and pour in to one another.” said Kristi Greer, SVP Professional Development, CBA.

Thank you Grant Greenwood, Partner, James-Bates-Brannon-Groover, for sharing your expert knowledge and having a team of professionals to support our community bank’s HR strategies. We look forward to having all our HR/TD league partners joining us at the conference in May - James-Bates-Brannon-Groover, Shazam, WIPFLI, CBIZ, FHLB Atlanta, & Newcleus.

It’s not too late - You can join us! Click here to learn more about the League. Conference topics will include: HR Function Essentials, Legal updates, performance, compensation, talent pipelines, leading as a Chief People Officer and more!

March is Women’s History Month – Insights from a Few Amazing Women
Our nation wouldn’t be where it is today if it weren’t for the contributions from amazing women. Women’s History Month recognizes women both past and present for their impact on our society and inspires other women to make a difference.

We asked several CBA members, legislators, and vendor partners who are making a difference here in Georgia to share about mentoring, favorite podcasts, and what advice they would offer to the next generation of young women. Enjoy their insights!

John McNair is Executive Guest for Georgia Fintech Academy Podcast
John McNair, President of the Community Bankers Association of Georgia joined Anindya Majumdar of the MS-Information Systems, Georgia State for the Georgia Fintech Academy podcast recently. The conversation explores the important role of community banks in the financial services industry and the role community banks play in fintech innovation. Click below to listen.

ICBA Capital Summit
April 27, 2021 | 11 am - 1 pm ET | Virtual Event
While the last year was unexpected and unprecedented to say the least, community banks continued to show up and support their communities as they have before. This year is the start of a new Congress, and new and incumbent members of Congress need to hear about the importance of our industry directly from community bankers like you.

Community banks invest in and support their communities in good times and bad. Community banks build more resilient communities, and the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated this positive economic impact firsthand as community banks once again rose to the challenge—saving tens of thousands of local small businesses and jobs across the nation. Register here.

CBA Welcomes New Member
CBA is pleased to welcome Greg Lee, CEO of The Peoples Bank of Eatonton.

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

Congratulations to Oconee State Bank, Watkinsville, for being named “Best of Gwinnett” in the banking category for the second year in a row. Read more here.

Josh Dasher has joined Colony Bank, Fitzgerald as Vice President, Information Security Officer and Vendor Management.

Read more here.

Colony Bank, Valdosta, announced that Jordan Robison has been promoted to Business Banker, AVP for its Quitman market.

Colony Bank announced the promotion of Joe Little to LaGrange Market President. Little will be replacing Mike Speight, who is leaving to pursue other professional opportunities.

Read more here.

James E. (Butch) Kirkley II has been named President, CEO/ Director Bank of Hazlehurst. He is replacing Leonard H. Bateman Sr., who is retiring.

Read more here.

Bennett Bowers and Jason Thornton have joined Ameris Bank, Augusta as commercial bankers.

Read more here.

Brandon Sherman has been promoted to Regional Vice President Community Development Manager at Ameris Bank, Fayetteville.

Read more here.

Kim Golden was promoted to Loan Operations Specialist Manager at Oconee State Bank, Watkinsville.

Read more here.

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:

2021 Leadership Academy
The popular Community Bank Leadership Academy starts March 22. Register today to participate in four interactive, action-oriented learning sessions.
Hilton Garden Inn - Mercer | 1220 Stadium Dr., Macon, GA 31204

Join 20 community bankers to develop personal and professional leadership skills through CBA's Community Bank Leadership Academy. Our Leadership Academy is engaging, interactive & effective. Participants will set learning goals, assess and increase their leadership skills including, communicating effectively in teams, with clients, and with various personality styles, they will make presentations with confidence, build project action plans, improve performance and continue their ongoing learning. The leadership academy will enhance individual skills that will bring positive influence to your organizations and communities.

IRA Fundamentals
Thursday, March 18, 2021 | In-Person or STREAM | 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
This basic Fundamentals of IRAs workshop provides attendees with a solid foundation of IRA knowledge. Exercises are included throughout the session to help participants apply information to job-related situations. Attendees will leave this session able to work with IRA owners and process basic IRA transactions with confidence.
Register here.

CBA Wellness Solutions - Health Insurance - FREE
Thursday, March 18, 2021 | 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
CBA is hosting a complimentary webinar for member banks and partner firms to learn about the benefits of CBA’s Health Insurance solution. CBA has partnered with CS&O Captives and CBIZ to offer a comprehensive health insurance program for its members. Register here.

18th Annual Bankers as Buyers Report
CBA Associate Member, William Mills Agency, announces the 18th Annual Bankers as Buyers report is now available for download. The report is a compilation of research, interviews and contributed articles spotlighting the evolving relationship between financial institutions, financial technology providers and fintechs as the industry continues to change at a rapid pace. Download it here.

ICBA Securities provides a full suite of investment products and services for community banks through its exclusive broker, Vining Sparks. Included are traditional fixed-income securities, interest rate products, whole loans, M&A and valuation services, and investment advisory services. Vining Sparks also has state-of-the-art asset/liability and bond accounting products.

ICBA Securities, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the ICBA, provides a full calendar of educational events for community bankers and investment professionals. ICBA Securities is endorsed by 32 affiliated state banking associations and is the only broker/dealer owned by the community banking industry.

Contact Jim Reber at 901-762-5880, by email or visit their website.

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

March 17, 2021