Challenging times call for deeper commitments and, in my opinion, no industry is as committed to its employees, customers and communities like the community banking industry. While many businesses can shut down or provide work from home options for employees, this is not entirely possible for community banks due to the vital role they play in their respective communities. The creativity I have seen from Georgia’s community bankers to find the right balance of safety and services availability is yet another example of how committed community bankers are to their employees and customers. From expanding hours of operation, increasing drive through options to hiring day care professionals to support employees with children, community bankers are getting it done to maintain business as usual as best as possible.
CBA’s role in all of this has not changed: to help our members succeed! Our special action alert sent out last Friday was full of resources and information to assist, click here to access. Additionally, CBA will be offering several complimentary webinars as well as live streaming of many of our traditional classroom programs. We believe it is vitally important to conduct business as normally as possible while implementing recommended safety measures and precautions. Please continue to visit our web site for updates or call our office directly. Like you, we are evaluating the situation almost hourly and changing as needed to best serve Georgia’s community banking industry.
The virus has created both a health and economic burden that must be dealt with head on. Community bankers have dealt with far worse before and, as history shows, will again be at the center of the recovery for their communities, the state and the country. True character is revealed during times of adversity and this is yet another opportunity for all of us in the community banking industry to again prove that we are the standard bearers for commitment and excellence in the financial services industry! We will overcome, we will succeed and all will grow stronger together!
CBA’s role in all of this has not changed: to help our members succeed! Our special action alert sent out last Friday was full of resources and information to assist, click here to access. Additionally, CBA will be offering several complimentary webinars as well as live streaming of many of our traditional classroom programs. We believe it is vitally important to conduct business as normally as possible while implementing recommended safety measures and precautions. Please continue to visit our web site for updates or call our office directly. Like you, we are evaluating the situation almost hourly and changing as needed to best serve Georgia’s community banking industry.
The virus has created both a health and economic burden that must be dealt with head on. Community bankers have dealt with far worse before and, as history shows, will again be at the center of the recovery for their communities, the state and the country. True character is revealed during times of adversity and this is yet another opportunity for all of us in the community banking industry to again prove that we are the standard bearers for commitment and excellence in the financial services industry! We will overcome, we will succeed and all will grow stronger together!
CBA Introduces New S.T.R.E.A.M. Tool for Remote Training
Today a group of community bankers will be using CBA’s new S.T.R.E.A.M. (Stream Training Remotely = Enhanced Access for Members) virtual online tool to network, share ideas, ask question and encourage one another in putting the best strategies in place to support the bank’s business continuity plans. This free for members, virtual forum will be lead by Dianne Barton of Performance Solutions Inc. (PSI). Melissa Sneed, Deputy Commissioner for Supervision from the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance, will join the forum at 11 am.
We are supporting our banks by incorporating live streaming into our curriculum. To see which programs are being rescheduling, click here.
Today a group of community bankers will be using CBA’s new S.T.R.E.A.M. (Stream Training Remotely = Enhanced Access for Members) virtual online tool to network, share ideas, ask question and encourage one another in putting the best strategies in place to support the bank’s business continuity plans. This free for members, virtual forum will be lead by Dianne Barton of Performance Solutions Inc. (PSI). Melissa Sneed, Deputy Commissioner for Supervision from the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance, will join the forum at 11 am.
We are supporting our banks by incorporating live streaming into our curriculum. To see which programs are being rescheduling, click here.
Disaster Loan Assistance for Small Businesses
The federal government, working closely with the SBA, has activated the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program for small businesses that have been adversely affected by COVID-19. The EIDL program will provide eligible small businesses with working-capital loans of up to $2 million to assist them in meeting financial obligations and operating expenses until normal operations resume. EIDL loan applications are accessible here. This website will allow the user to register, complete the EIDL application and track its progress online. Read more from Holtmeyer and Monson.
The federal government, working closely with the SBA, has activated the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program for small businesses that have been adversely affected by COVID-19. The EIDL program will provide eligible small businesses with working-capital loans of up to $2 million to assist them in meeting financial obligations and operating expenses until normal operations resume. EIDL loan applications are accessible here. This website will allow the user to register, complete the EIDL application and track its progress online. Read more from Holtmeyer and Monson.
FREE CBA Webinar: Pandemic Preparedness - Managing Coronavirus & Other Epidemics
Recording Available Friday, March 20, 2020
Because of the seriousness of the coronavirus outbreak, and the potential for major disruptions to the financial industry, we are now offering a Pandemic Preparedness webinar for free. It will be offered only as a recording and will be available Friday, March 20, 2020. CBA members will be able to access the latest information about strengthening pandemic preparedness policies. Register here.
Recording Available Friday, March 20, 2020
Because of the seriousness of the coronavirus outbreak, and the potential for major disruptions to the financial industry, we are now offering a Pandemic Preparedness webinar for free. It will be offered only as a recording and will be available Friday, March 20, 2020. CBA members will be able to access the latest information about strengthening pandemic preparedness policies. Register here.
Georgia’s community bankers do great things in their communities every day. Here is the latest on community outreach and news from CBA Members:
- Queensborough National Bank & Trust Co., Sylvania, was recently awarded the Outstanding Medium Business of the Year Award for Screven County. In addition, Michelle Piper, Vice President of the bank, was featured in Augusta CEO to talk about the importance of being involved in the Augusta community, and what initiatives the bank is involved in around the area. Watch the video.
- Citizens Community Bank, Hahira, recently showed their community support during a ribbon cutting for Chancy Drugs in Adel. Employees pictured include: Star Waldon, CFO/Chairman; Glenn Copeland, CEO; Mindy Green, IT Vice President; and Bobby Jo Heath, Loan Officer Assistant. In addition, the bank recently participated in Career Day at Pine Grove Middle School. Pictured are Kari Sangster, Operations, and Amanda Darling, Loan Officer.
- BankSouth’s downtown Greensboro and Lake Oconee branches recently celebrated International Women’s Day by supporting their local Girl Scouts Troop #20158.
- Garrett Smith, Ludowici Bank (a division of Glennville Bank), recently read with a local elementary school for Read Across America Week.
- Greater Community Bank, Rome, recently partnered with the Cartersville-Bartow Chamber to present Chris Coltran's 5-Star Rated customer service seminar, The Grandmother Philosophy.
- Heath Fountain, President and CEO of Colony Bank, bank team members and members of the Colony Bank Albany Market Community Board recently joined together with honored guests from the community and the Albany Chamber of Commerce to break ground for the bank's new branch in Albany.
- United Community Bank, Atlanta, was recently awarded a 2020 Top Workplaces honor by The Atlanta Journal Constitution. Read more.
- In response to COVID-19, Cadence Bank, Macon, announced temporary changes to its bank operations, effective immediately until further notice. Read more.
Sympathies
CBA extends our sympathies to the friends, family and colleagues of Sue Hurley, Southeast First National Bank, Summerville, who recently passed away. Sue was a prominent business woman as well as owner, Chairperson and President of the only female-owned, national bank in Georgia. Read more.
Dwayne Jenkins has joined First Chatham Bank, Savannah, as Information Technology Officer.
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Lynne Holle, Colony Bank, LaGrange, recently won the 2020 Reader's Choice Award for Bank Teller.
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Ricky Sherrod has joined BankSouth, Savannah, as a Universal Banker.
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Shawn Dillon, President of FITECH, has also been named Senior Vice President of ISV Sales.
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Matt Mingenback, FITECH, has been promoted to Vice President of Sales.
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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:
Georgia Hemp Regulation Updates
Update on USDA Approval of Georgia Hemp Plan: The United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) approved the Georgia Hemp Plan, and the Georgia Department of Agriculture (“GDA”) will begin accepting online applications for hemp grower licenses on Monday, March 23, 2020. The application can be completed and submitted online only. More information about the application requirements can be found here. The hemp grower license will be issued by the GDA. The initial license fee is $50 per acre (up to a maximum fee of $5,000) and is payable once the application is approved.
Update on Georgia Hemp Processor Permit: Applications for Georgia hemp processor permits are now available on the GDA website. Parties interested in getting a hemp processor license in Georgia can locate the application as well as a number of other helpful resources regarding the application process by clicking here. The initial hemp processor permit fee is $25,000 and is payable once the application has been approved. The applicant is required, among other things, to disclose whether it will be processing its own hemp (after obtaining a grower permit), hemp obtained from an out-of-state grower pursuant to an approved plan or under the USDA plan, or hemp obtained from a Georgia grower (other than the processor). Guest article from James-Bates-Brannan-Groover-LLP, a Diamond-Level Preferred Service Provider.
Update on USDA Approval of Georgia Hemp Plan: The United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) approved the Georgia Hemp Plan, and the Georgia Department of Agriculture (“GDA”) will begin accepting online applications for hemp grower licenses on Monday, March 23, 2020. The application can be completed and submitted online only. More information about the application requirements can be found here. The hemp grower license will be issued by the GDA. The initial license fee is $50 per acre (up to a maximum fee of $5,000) and is payable once the application is approved.
Update on Georgia Hemp Processor Permit: Applications for Georgia hemp processor permits are now available on the GDA website. Parties interested in getting a hemp processor license in Georgia can locate the application as well as a number of other helpful resources regarding the application process by clicking here. The initial hemp processor permit fee is $25,000 and is payable once the application has been approved. The applicant is required, among other things, to disclose whether it will be processing its own hemp (after obtaining a grower permit), hemp obtained from an out-of-state grower pursuant to an approved plan or under the USDA plan, or hemp obtained from a Georgia grower (other than the processor). Guest article from James-Bates-Brannan-Groover-LLP, a Diamond-Level Preferred Service Provider.
Deadline Approaching for Walraven Scholarship
All Completed Applications are Due by Friday, April 10th
CBA is proud to offer the 2020 Walraven Scholarship. This $500 scholarship is awarded to a Georgia community bank employee attending a college or university within the state of Georgia. All completed applications should be submitted to CBA no later than Friday, April 10, 2020. Only complete applications will be eligible. Winners will be announced in late April 2020. Click here for more details and to download the application. Contact Jeremy Thomens for more information.
All Completed Applications are Due by Friday, April 10th
CBA is proud to offer the 2020 Walraven Scholarship. This $500 scholarship is awarded to a Georgia community bank employee attending a college or university within the state of Georgia. All completed applications should be submitted to CBA no later than Friday, April 10, 2020. Only complete applications will be eligible. Winners will be announced in late April 2020. Click here for more details and to download the application. Contact Jeremy Thomens for more information.
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Here are some of the latest national news stories relevant to community banking and the financial services industry:
- Georgia Department of Public Health COVID-19 Status Report
- Fed slashes rates in coordinated response
- Federal Banking Agencies Encourage Banks to Use Federal Reserve Discount Window
- House committee delays hearings due to coronavirus
- ICBA Offers Free Online Course for Coronavirus Preparedness
- FDIC Financial Institution Letter: Working with Customers Affected by the Coronavirus
- Romero Rainey: ICBA standing strong for community banks
- Romero Rainey meets with President Trump on coronavirus
- NACHA raising Same Day ACH dollar limit this week
- FHFA strengthens Duty to Serve criteria
- Agencies announce relief following Tennessee tornadoes
- Producer prices have steepest drop in five years
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