Advocacy
CBA's PAC/PR Funds
Advocacy Update
Preferred Service Providers
Events Calendar
HR & Talent Development League
Conventions
Webinars
Compliance Professional Package
Banker Regulatory Forums
Community Bank Leadership Academy
Check Out Our
Preferred
Service
Providers!
CBA's PAC/PR Funds
Advocacy Update
Preferred Service Providers
Events Calendar
HR & Talent Development League
Conventions
Webinars
Compliance Professional Package
Banker Regulatory Forums
Community Bank Leadership Academy
Check Out Our
Preferred
Service
Providers!

BSA Fundamentals • Executive Channel • Innovation Exploration
Last week, we hosted 70 participants over three educational programs. Our highly effective BSA Fundamentals continues to prove beneficial to community bank BSA specialists, managers, and officers. Dianne Barton, our BSA instructor, is a leader in the industry, staying up to speed on changes and updates to keep your banks in compliance. CBA’s Director of Professional Development, Kristi Greer, swung by the program on her way to Pooler to check in on the bankers. Kristi commented, “another great group engaged in exercises to support their skill development. I enjoy seeing the room full of conversations while interacting with the virtual participants as we continue to offer hybrid programming to support ongoing learning even when employees are shorthanded in their banks. It’s amazing to see community bankers working overtime because they value and believe in their communities and their team.”
C-Suite bankers joined Corrie Hall, Executive Channel program facilitator, Partner with James, Bates, Brannan, Groover, LLP for our quarterly forum, where they heard from Scott Autry, Warren Averett LLC, on Cybercrime and Risk. Arthur Fleming, SVP & Director, Community Investment Services, CRA Center of Excellence & ShaDonte Butler, Community Investment Business Development Manager, both of The Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta led a conversation on CRA. Lessons gained from this conversation relate to PPP, bank marketing strategies, exam trends and more. The participants leave with a list of action items to go back and consider with their management teams.
We also kicked off our innovation bundle in Pooler. Kimberly Kirk, EVP, Chief Operations Officer & Janice Tillman, SVP, Director of Retail Operations, hosted our program at their new, very cool branch of Queensborough National Bank & Trust Co.
“Innovation is not just technology.” The innovation that Queensborough effectively added has brought increased opportunities for engaged customer experiences. Kim quoted one of her favorite authors, Brene Brown, from her book, Dare to Lead, “I define a leader as anyone who takes responsibility for finding the potential in people and processes.” And Queensborough exhibits these leadership traits through their talent, processes and the experiences customers get when they walk into the branch. As your bank is looking at strategies, processes, customer needs and more, you want to value innovation. It’s not too late to join CBA’s Innovation Bundle and begin learning methods for increased internal efficiencies while supporting all your stakeholders.
Last week, we hosted 70 participants over three educational programs. Our highly effective BSA Fundamentals continues to prove beneficial to community bank BSA specialists, managers, and officers. Dianne Barton, our BSA instructor, is a leader in the industry, staying up to speed on changes and updates to keep your banks in compliance. CBA’s Director of Professional Development, Kristi Greer, swung by the program on her way to Pooler to check in on the bankers. Kristi commented, “another great group engaged in exercises to support their skill development. I enjoy seeing the room full of conversations while interacting with the virtual participants as we continue to offer hybrid programming to support ongoing learning even when employees are shorthanded in their banks. It’s amazing to see community bankers working overtime because they value and believe in their communities and their team.”
C-Suite bankers joined Corrie Hall, Executive Channel program facilitator, Partner with James, Bates, Brannan, Groover, LLP for our quarterly forum, where they heard from Scott Autry, Warren Averett LLC, on Cybercrime and Risk. Arthur Fleming, SVP & Director, Community Investment Services, CRA Center of Excellence & ShaDonte Butler, Community Investment Business Development Manager, both of The Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta led a conversation on CRA. Lessons gained from this conversation relate to PPP, bank marketing strategies, exam trends and more. The participants leave with a list of action items to go back and consider with their management teams.
We also kicked off our innovation bundle in Pooler. Kimberly Kirk, EVP, Chief Operations Officer & Janice Tillman, SVP, Director of Retail Operations, hosted our program at their new, very cool branch of Queensborough National Bank & Trust Co.
“Innovation is not just technology.” The innovation that Queensborough effectively added has brought increased opportunities for engaged customer experiences. Kim quoted one of her favorite authors, Brene Brown, from her book, Dare to Lead, “I define a leader as anyone who takes responsibility for finding the potential in people and processes.” And Queensborough exhibits these leadership traits through their talent, processes and the experiences customers get when they walk into the branch. As your bank is looking at strategies, processes, customer needs and more, you want to value innovation. It’s not too late to join CBA’s Innovation Bundle and begin learning methods for increased internal efficiencies while supporting all your stakeholders.

Why Bank Local?
Guest article from Heath Fountain, President and CEO at Colony Bank
When thinking about what defines a community, the first thing that comes to mind is the people. It’s the shared relationships, experiences, values, and more that binds a group of people together. To help support our communities, we’re told to shop local. However, it’s also important to bank local. As we come to the end of April and Community Banking Month, I wanted to share some thoughts on why it’s important to bank local.
What’s the purpose of community banking?
Community banks exist to serve the people and small businesses in our area that many large national or regional banks may overlook. We focus on the relationships with our customers and are constantly looking for new ways to better serve them because when they succeed, so do we. Read entire article.
Guest article from Heath Fountain, President and CEO at Colony Bank
When thinking about what defines a community, the first thing that comes to mind is the people. It’s the shared relationships, experiences, values, and more that binds a group of people together. To help support our communities, we’re told to shop local. However, it’s also important to bank local. As we come to the end of April and Community Banking Month, I wanted to share some thoughts on why it’s important to bank local.
What’s the purpose of community banking?
Community banks exist to serve the people and small businesses in our area that many large national or regional banks may overlook. We focus on the relationships with our customers and are constantly looking for new ways to better serve them because when they succeed, so do we. Read entire article.
Georgia Contingency Heads to ICBA Capital Summit
CBA President & CEO John McNair and Lori Godfrey, CBA’s Executive Vice President, Government and Regulatory Relations, will be traveling to Washington, DC, on Sunday with a group of Georgia community bankers and partner companies for the ICBA Capital Summit. The group will be joining community bankers from across the country to advocate for our industry.
CBA President & CEO John McNair and Lori Godfrey, CBA’s Executive Vice President, Government and Regulatory Relations, will be traveling to Washington, DC, on Sunday with a group of Georgia community bankers and partner companies for the ICBA Capital Summit. The group will be joining community bankers from across the country to advocate for our industry.
Wild Cards Continue to Pile Up in Heavyweight Economy
Former CBA Chair Ron Quinn, President & CEO, Peach State Bank & Trust, Gainesville, recently penned a guest column for the Gainesville Times. The following are excerpts from the article. “Faced with numerous challenges since 2020, our economy has taken a bruising and fought back like a prize fighter — refusing to go down while brashly flaunting record profits across many sectors.“ “I still believe our local economy is foundationally strong enough to withstand a recession in the near term. For now, however, we all need to focus on the things we can control, work harder, tighten our belts and hunker down as we wait out economic conflict and a war that is so far away — yet way too close for comfort. “ Mr. Quinn serves as the Georgia delegate for the Independent Community Bankers of America. Read entire article. |

Augusta Topgolf Showdown Today!
Bankers, bank customers, vendor partners and sponsors are gathering in Augusta today for CBA’s PAC/PR Topgolf Showdown. This networking event raises money for CBA’s PAC/PR Fund and year-round advocacy efforts. Check next week’s e-newsletter for photos and tourney winners.
Bankers, bank customers, vendor partners and sponsors are gathering in Augusta today for CBA’s PAC/PR Topgolf Showdown. This networking event raises money for CBA’s PAC/PR Fund and year-round advocacy efforts. Check next week’s e-newsletter for photos and tourney winners.

The McNair Family Scholarship for Adult Learners – Deadline April 30, 2022
The deadline to apply for the first annual McNair Family Scholarship, designed for adult learners working at a Georgia community bank, is April 30, 2022.
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 for more information. All applications must be received at the CBA office by April 30, 2022. The winner will be announced by the end of May 2022.
The deadline to apply for the first annual McNair Family Scholarship, designed for adult learners working at a Georgia community bank, is April 30, 2022.
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 for more information. All applications must be received at the CBA office by April 30, 2022. The winner will be announced by the end of May 2022.

How Are You Celebrating Community Banking Month?
As we wrap up the last week in April, be sure to share how your bank has celebrated Community Banking Month. Be sure to use hashtags #BankLocalGA and #CommunityBankingMonth. Send photos of your celebrations, community service activities, CBA t-shirt days, etc. to Lindsay Greene at CBA, and we’ll include a wrap up in next week’s e Newsletter.
As we wrap up the last week in April, be sure to share how your bank has celebrated Community Banking Month. Be sure to use hashtags #BankLocalGA and #CommunityBankingMonth. Send photos of your celebrations, community service activities, CBA t-shirt days, etc. to Lindsay Greene at CBA, and we’ll include a wrap up in next week’s e Newsletter.

CBA PAC Fund: Thank You!
At CBA, we must constantly build and renew relationships with
legislators that understand and support community banking.
Thank you to the following banks for their generous
contributions to CBA’s PAC Fund:
At CBA, we must constantly build and renew relationships with
legislators that understand and support community banking.
Thank you to the following banks for their generous
contributions to CBA’s PAC Fund:
- First Bank, Dalton — Mr. Kyle Ray
Georgia’s community bankers do great things in their communities every day. Here is the latest on community outreach and news from CBA Members:
- Employees at Bulloch First Bank, Statesboro, proudly wore their CBA t-shirts for Community Banking Month.
- Planters First, Perry, celebrated Community Banking Month with a customer appreciation day last week.
|
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:

CBA’s HR & TD League invites you to join their 2nd annual conference on the beautiful Jekyll Island. Community Bank HR Professionals have told us what topics they want, and we are delivering!
We have invited subject matter experts to increase your knowledge, plus participants will have the opportunity to create tools that will support bank strategies that include retaining & engaging employees.
Learn more and register.
TOPICS INCLUDE:
• HR as a Business Driver!
• HR Tech: a Noisy Space - Quiet the noise and utilize the right HR Tech
• Employee Experience & Leader Awareness
• Top 10 reasons why employees are resigning
• HR Interactive exercises to discuss and plan how to implement.
• SHRM certifications
• FMLA, ADA Accommodations and the Interactive Process
• Roundtable Discussions
• Employee Investigations
• And more

ICBA Offers Small Business Week Marketing Resources
ICBA released customizable resources community bankers can use to commemorate Small Business Week, which is scheduled for May 2-6.
ICBA Toolkit: The resources, including a custom news release and social media materials, are available on ICBA’s Tell Your Story toolkit. ICBA also continues to offer community banks a suite of Community Banking Month materials and custom Financial Literacy Month resources to use throughout April.
ICBA released customizable resources community bankers can use to commemorate Small Business Week, which is scheduled for May 2-6.
ICBA Toolkit: The resources, including a custom news release and social media materials, are available on ICBA’s Tell Your Story toolkit. ICBA also continues to offer community banks a suite of Community Banking Month materials and custom Financial Literacy Month resources to use throughout April.
AgoraEversole offers comprehensive marketing services and solutions to community banks across Georgia. Digital marketing services offered include the GetSocial social media program, Website Design, SEO (Search Engine Optimization), Digital Advertising, and other related marketing services. The traditional program serves needs for newspaper, radio, collateral pieces, etc. Serving almost 100 banks across 15 states, AgoraEversole is your ideal partnership to grow your brand and market share!
Contact Chris Bates at 601-366-7370 or visit their website. |
Here are some of the latest news stories relevant to community banking and the financial services industry:
CBA Resources
Online Directory
Print Directory
Career Center
FDIC Regulatory Calendar
Salary Survey
Online Directory
Print Directory
Career Center
FDIC Regulatory Calendar
Salary Survey
Connect with us on
social media!
social media!