Apr 20 - CBA Today eNewsletter - COMMUNITY BANKERS ASSOCIATION OF GEORGIA

Kristi Greer, Senior Vice President of Professional Development at Community Bankers Association of Georgia, has been named Chair of the Education Directors for the Council of Community Banking Associations (CCBA).

The Council of Community Bankers Associations (CCBA) is an organization that represents independent state community banking associations across the country. The members of CCBA represent thousands of community banks nationwide. The education and member services professionals around the US have been meeting annually for more than 30 years to support each state’s efforts in providing valuable resources for the community banking industry.

Kristi Greer
Senior Vice President of Professional Development
CBA

“Being recognized by peers to lead is always a privilege; however, with less than four years at the helm of CBA’s Professional Development group, the selection of Kristi Greer to Chair this group of seasoned association professionals is a testament to her vision, leadership, and passion for adult education,” stated John McNair, President & CEO, Community Bankers Association of Georgia.

“Over the past four years, Kristi’s talents and strong work ethic have enhanced CBA’s reputation for having the best and most robust professional development curriculum in the Southeast. I am confident that in her role as Chair she will help other associations develop programs and best practices to better serve their respective members,” Mr. McNair continued. “All of us at the association are proud of Kristi and lucky she is on team CBA!” Read entire article.

Topgolf Showdown—Friendly Competition for a Great Cause!
Thanks to players and sponsors for CBA’s Topgolf Showdown held last week in Atlanta. Bankers and associate members enjoyed an afternoon of networking, prizes, and friendly competition while raising funds for CBA’s PAC. CBA’s Political Affairs Committee (CBA PAC) is the only Georgia State PAC exclusively committed to representing the interests of community banks.

Congratulations to the winners!
Winning Team (l-r): Lori Godfrey & John McNair, CBA; Josh Osborne, Colony Bank, Atlanta; John Gianacaci, BFS Group, Palm Beach Gardens, FL; Jordan Winick, BCC-USA, Philadelphia, PA; Randy Sower & Ryan Sower, Executive Insurance Agency, Stockbridge.

Individual Winners:
1st Place: Jordan Winick, BCC-USA, Philadelphia, PA; 2nd Place: Brian Mullett, Bankers Healthcare Group, Syracuse, NY; 3rd Place: Joe Schaefer, NFP Executive Benefits, Miami, FL.

Topgolf Augusta Registration Ends TODAY!
Registration includes 3 hours of golf, food, unlimited non-alcoholic drinks, and an afternoon of fun!
REGISTER TODAY!

Convention Speaker Feature: Five Critical Strategic Traps That Face U.S. Community Bank in 2022
While U.S. community bank earnings have been strong over the last couple of years, many of the positive earnings catalysts, like PPP and mortgage banking, should lessen going forward. Marty Mosby, Director of Bank Advisory & Strategic Services, Vining Sparks, will identify five strategic traps that community banks need to address in order to sustain profitability levels while not adding too much incremental interest rate or credit risks: inflated earnings expectations, FASB115 mark-to-market risk, transition to new CECL accounting methodology, highly competitive loan pricing, and higher inflation creating an acceleration in employee compensation expenses.

Marty Mosby
Director of Bank Advisory
& Strategic Services
Vining Sparks

The McNair Family Scholarship for Adult Learners – Deadline April 30, 2022
John and Lisa McNair, together with their family, announced the annual McNair Family Scholarship, honoring Nicholas Cimino, earlier this year. The scholarship is designed for adult learners working at a Georgia community bank.

The McNair Family Scholarship recognizes and honors the achievements of Nicholas (Nick) R. Cimino. The scholarship will be awarded once per year to an adult learner who is currently employed at a Georgia community bank and plans to work towards an associate, bachelor's, or trade degree.

An adult learner is defined as a student at least two years removed from high school. The student must be working at least 25 hours per week at a Georgia community bank. The $1,000.00 award will be paid directly to the institution of higher learning to offset student expenses. Click here to learn more about Nick Cimino and his dedication to earning his college degree while working and raising his family. All applications must be received at the CBA office by April 30, 2022. The winner will be announced by the end of May 2022.

Capital Summit Registration Deadline this Week
The deadline to register for next month’s ICBA Capital Summit is this Friday, April 22. The industry’s premier advocacy event is scheduled for May 1-4 in Washington, D.C.

CFPB’s Chopra Speaking: ICBA also added Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Rohit Chopra to the lineup of speakers. This year’s Capital Summit speakers also include:

Senate Banking Committee member Mike Rounds (R-S.D.).
Acting Comptroller of the Currency Michael Hsu.
FDIC Acting Chairman Martin Gruenberg.
Assistant Treasury Secretary for Financial Institutions Graham Steele.
CNN political analyst and USA Today columnist Kirsten Powers.

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 Metter branch of Pineland Bank celebrated Community Banking Month by wearing their CBA shirts and treating customers to refreshments last week.
It’s Vidalia onion season! The Bank of Soperton and Million Pines Community Bank were “Yumion’d" by Mount Vernon Bank. The friendly challenge raises money for TLC Casa.
April is Community Banking Month, and Flint Community Bank, Albany, celebrated last week by wearing their CBA t-shirts!
Planters First Bank, Cordele, enjoyed having our friends from the Easter Seals Adult Day Services of Vienna stop by to drop off handmade Easter cards for our staff. We wanted to make sure they didn't leave empty-handed, so they each got an Easter basket filled with goodies.
Employees at Peach State Bank & Trust, Gainesville, were decked out in the CBA t-shirts for the quarterly staff meeting last week.
Queensborough National Bank & Trust Co., Savannah, celebrated Financial Literacy Month by partnering with Bethesda Academy to serve their graduating seniors with an IQ University Money Management Seminar. We are proud to encourage these young men as they go on to greater achievements!
CBA Preferred Service Provider Mauldin & Jenkins has been awarded a Top Workplaces 2022 honor by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Read more.
William Mills Agency President, Scott Mills, was recently featured in Forbes discussing ways to communicate positive changes during a #PR crisis. View his full quote here.

Colony Bank, Fitzgerald, has expanded the bank’s Merchant Services Division with the addition of Randy Walkwitz and Christina Levay as Merchant Services Sales Representatives. Read more.

Randy Walkwitz

Christina Levay

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:

Branch Leadership: Leading, Developing,
and Engaging the Team
April 26, 2022 | Macon
We are proud to offer the updated and revised Branch Leadership series. More than ever before, today's retail banking leadership team is faced with a multitude of challenges and opportunities. Successful banks have branch leadership who are focused on motivating and engaging the team, building and increasing loyal customer relationships, mitigating risks through compliance and regulatory adherence, and accomplishing retail banking goals. In essence, the Branch Manager is the business manager. Ongoing education, training, and networking are essential in developing successful retail banking leadership in today's ever-changing environment. Register today .

Webinars: Buy 2 Get 1 FREE
April 1—30, 2022
Community Bankers Webinar Network celebrates and supports community banks and bankers all year long. During Community Banking Month we are giving you a free training of your choice when you purchase two webinars.

This year it is even easier to claim your free webinar. All you have to do is add any three live or on-demand webinars to your cart, and we will automatically give you one free! Find the full list of available webinars here.

STS Group understands customer service is top priority. With focus on service, STS Group has experienced tremendous growth, becoming the Southeast region's strongest provider of financial security, ATMs, and branch automation equipment. With their involvement in CBA, FBA, and ABA, their reputation of outstanding service continues to spread throughout the region.

Contact Chris Nelson at 205-567-3613 or visit their website.

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

April 20, 2022