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

CBA would like to recognize all of the community banks that are leading the charge on Paycheck Protection Program lending for small businesses. We would like to highlight several national news stories that demonstrate how community banks are helping small business better than any other financial institutions:

Final numbers from PPP have been reported by the U.S Treasury. Georgia closed with 48,000 loans for $9.5 billion.
Community banks are shown to be the #1 lending group by far, according to the COVID Loan Tracker. In addition, the tracker shows that big banks are just unable to get PPP loan money flowing.
Community banks have been stepping up, giving coronavirus loans to those turned away by major banks.
Community bankers eagerly wait for the go-ahead to process PPP applications. "We are ready with our guns loaded and the trigger cocked," said George Andrews of Unity National Bank, Atlanta, on 11 Alive.
Jim Cramer on Squawk on the Street said he wishes he had gone with a community bank. "Community banks are obviously well ahead," said Cramer.
Yahoo Finance highlighted some small business success stories which have one thing in common: community banks.
Forbes highlighted how community banks are unique to how to help small business owners.

CBA would like to encourage all community bankers to show your communities how your bank is aiding affected businesses and local communities. Celebrating Community Banking Month right now is a great time to promote all that you do for your community. CBA is still providing promotional materials to help promote your public relations image.

In addition, we encourage all CBA members to promote our production-quality video promoting the vital role of Georgia’s community banking industry. We encourage you to share this video on your website and all of your social media channels. The video can be accessed on our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MD8Ltns_Kmo

CBA would like to thank all community banks for the great things you are doing to help your local communities and economies during this challenging time. We know better than anyone that community banks will always rise to the challenge and be there for their communities. CBA is thankful for all that you do!

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

Personal Bankers from Oconee State Bank, Watkinsville, are writing letters to residents of nursing homes, calling their senior customers to check on them and see how they can help, and writing letters to accompany Meals on Wheels deliveries. In addition, the bank recently shared a heartfelt message online to encourage for their customers and community.

In conjunction with their 60th anniversary, the bank is celebrating Community Banking Month to promote the personal relationships they build with their customers and community.
First Bank, Dalton, recently donated to the Whitfield Healthcare Foundation’s “Frontline Fund”, to aid in COVID-19 needs. Pictured is Scott Sellers, EVP of First Bank, Gwen Harden, Whitfield Healthcare Foundation and Mitch Sanford, President of First Bank.
The team from Queensborough National Bank & Trust, Co., Louisville, has recently been working to sew masks for other employees and to donate to local hospitals and nursing homes. In addition, the bank was recently featured in the latest edition of Faces of the South by South Magazine as the Face of Banking.

Sympathies
CBA extends our sympathies to Lucie Beeley, President of Georgia Community Bancorp, Inc., and Scott Beeley, President & CEO of Georgia Community Bank, Dawson, on the passing of Lucie's mother, Mary Tuck, who has served as the Chairperson of the holding company for 25 years. Read more.

Amy Michael, Oconee State Bank, Watkinsville, has recently been promoted to Assistant Financial Center Manager at OSB’s Butler’s Crossing location.

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:

Register for CBA's Supervisory Essentials
Session I: Thursday–Friday, April 23-24, 2020 | Session II: Thursday–Friday, July 23-24, 2020

Now is a great time to enhance your coaching skills to encourage and lead teams during COVID-19. Join us for an interactive, live-virtual workshop on April 22 & 23. The comprehensive two-part agenda covers the essential building blocks to supervisory excellence, how to build morale and increase productivity, strategies for handling conflicts and minimizing absenteeism, “real-world” time management tips, and how to become a supervisor for the organization. Click here to check out the learning goals and register.

Solutions for Success: Q&A on Multi-Channel Marketing
The March/April issue of Georgia Communities First magazine features the Solutions for Success series, which highlights timely issues and best practices from CBA Associate Members. CBA recently met with Keith Brannan, Chief Marketing Officer, Kasasa, to ask a couple questions pertaining to multi-channel marketing.

Read the full article in CBA's latest issue of Georgia Communities First magazine, now exclusively digital and issued bi-monthly. Check out the March/April 2020 issue.

Webinar: Successful Marketing Tactics in a Crisis
Wednesday, April 29, 2020 | 11:00 am - Noon
From Silver-Level Preferred Service Provider Kasasa

The ongoing global health crisis has introduced new challenges for bankers, particularly community bankers. Whether we are in this pandemic crisis for two, three, or six months, no one wants to shut down their marketing only to restart it later. Nobody wants to waste a dollar that could be better spent elsewhere. Everyone is in uncharted waters seeking the right tone with consumers. Join Keith Brannan, Kasasa's Chief Marketing Officer, and your CBA peers in an open discussion about what the “shoulds” and “musts” are of this environment. Register Here.

Webinar: The CARES Act - What It Means For Your Bank's Retirement Plan
Wednesday, April 22, 2020 | 2:00-2:45 PM ET

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act is the third round of federal government support in the wake of the coronavirus crisis and associated economic fallout. The CARES Act provides further support to both individuals and businesses, including changes to retirement plan distribution and tax policy for individuals impacted by or who experience financial consequences as a result of COVID-19. Learn more and register.

Succession in a COVID-19 World
The global pandemic has struck terror into the hearts of nearly everyone. Business leaders and board members are reeling from the rapid impact on their organizations, across public companies, small businesses, non-profit organizations and more. One of the less discussed impacts, which is shaking boardrooms and executive suites, is the issue of leadership succession. While proactive succession planning has long been a best practice, too many institutions still do not emphasize leadership succession seriously enough or review their plans often enough. And now, with the scourge of COVID-19 upon us, organizations and boards are quickly taking a long, hard look at the quality and quantity of their succession plans. Read the full article. Guest article from CBA Associate Member Kaplan Partners.

Is This Déjà Vu All Over Again? Financial Literacy and Coronavirus Impact Survey
Remember not that long ago, in 2008 and 2009, when America found itself in the throes of the Great Recession? We heard and read about Americans who were in financially difficulty… little or nothing was saved to pay bills… credit card debt was high… retirement accounts disappeared as the stock market tanked. Eventually, many people cleaned up their personal balance sheets by paying down debt and stashing money into savings accounts to prepare for the next rainy day. But, did anything really change? Here we are in the grips of another calamity and the financial health of many Americans remains suspect. Read the full article. Guest article from CBA Associate Member Vision.

Navigating Uncertainty: Creating a Path Forward
In times of uncertainty, organizations have a tendency to put the brakes on, losing sight of long-term strategic initiatives and established growth goals. However, history has taught us the decisions your bank makes today will have lasting implications for tomorrow. Business as usual will return and our strategic initiatives and growth goals will still be there. The key is to stay focused on growing core customers, regardless of the economic environment. Read the full article. Guest article from CBA Associate Member Haberfeld.

With increased regulatory enforcement, cyber threats and board of director litigation, the banking industry faces significant exposures. Managing risk through best practices and insurance are key factors to safeguard you and your customer’s assets. CBIZ risk consultants leverage their financial institution knowledge to provide comprehensive risk solutions designed to safeguard your institution. CBIZ is a leader in bank services including insurance, insurance reviews, payroll, payroll, outsourced credit analysis, accounting, tax, audit, cyber risk consulting, , retirement plans, employee benefits and valuation.

To learn more, contact Kris St. Martin at 763-549-2267 or visit their website.

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

APRIL 22, 2020