June 22 - CBA Today eNewsletter - COMMUNITY BANKERS ASSOCIATION OF GEORGIA

Community bankers and vendor partners from across the state gathered last week at the new Hotel 45 in Macon for WINSPIRE. The morning kicked off with Heather Clark from Warren Averett on the topic “Own Your Brand; Know Your Worth.” Julia Johnson, WIPFLI, discussed “Know Your Superpowers” and taught participants how to utilize results from their own Predictive Index assessment for personal growth and better communication. A banker panel on the many hats women in community banking wear was moderated by Kristi Greer, CBA, and included Kristi Brown, Greater Community Bank; Sylvia Enix, Persons Banking Company; Kristy Harrell, First National Bank; and Linda Smith, Embassy National Bank. The day wrapped up with a strength and stretch wellness activity taught by Katie Woodall from TransFIT Athens. They also included a hot breakfast, sit-down lunch and a wine-pull which raised funds for CBA’s advocacy efforts.

Attendees truly enjoyed the day. A few comments include “I really enjoyed the entire day and loved to focus on myself rather than a training seminar for work.” “I loved learning my superpower and being comfortable using it!” Jennifer Barnett from Family Bank commented, “Great job. Very positive. Excellent way to step away from the job and focus on self-improvement.”

Special thanks to our sponsors Abram Armored, ACG, DefenseStorm, Travelers, Warren Averett, LLC and Wipfli.

Back by Popular Demand – 2022 CBA Community Banking Champion T-Shirt
If you missed the opportunity to order a 2022 CBA Community Banking Champion t-shirt, CBA’s LEAD Board is giving you another chance! Monies raised from the t-shirt fundraiser support CBA’s advocacy efforts at the state capitol. Perfect for casual Fridays, CBA events, community service events and more - increase awareness of our industry brand. Don’t miss out! Order your shirt by August 31st!

2022 Georgia Fintech Ecosystem Report from TAG
Technology Associates of Georgia (TAG) has released their 2022 Georgia Fintech Eco system report. The power of fintech technologies helps businesses and consumers build stronger and more personalized relationships and improve the efficiencies of money movement. During the tough business times of the last two years, fintech solutions that had been gradually achieving market adoption suddenly experienced great market demand. As a result of the difficult times, financial transactions have become simpler and faster than ever before.

“This is a fantastic report from CBA Partner the Technology Association of Georgia. The Georgia Fintech ecosystem is extremely vibrant and growing larger every day. This vast ecosystem creates firsthand opportunities for Georgia’s community banking industry to obtain information and new solutions that will help further innovate their respect operations and enhance the overall customer delivery experience,” said John McNair, President & CEO, Community Bankers Association of Georgia. “CBA and our Innovation Committee members are actively engaged in the Fin-Tech ecosystem. The committee attends multiple events, educational programs, and developer sessions all to learn more about burgeoning solutions and to share the needs of the community banking industry. I encourage all community bankers to participate in CBA’s efforts to further the advancement of technology solutions for our industry.”

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:

Community Bank of Dublin – Laurens County, Dublin – Mr. Brian Bazemore
Colony Bank, Atlanta – Mr. Josh Osborne
Glennville Bank – Mr. Mark Thompson
Greater Community Bank, Rome – Ms. Kristy Brown

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

In celebration of American Housing Month, the United Community Bank Foundation announces a new partnership with Habitat for Humanity affiliates across its footprint that will both support the cost of local builds and provide local United Community Bank team members with the opportunity to volunteer on a build in their area. The Foundation will kick off this partnership with a build in in Atlanta, Georgia on July 23.
River City Bank’s Full-Service Blairsville Branch Now Open! Read more.
Congratulations to Charlie Crawford, President & CEO, Hyperion Bank, Atlanta for his recognition by the Pennsylvania Association of Community Bankers (PACB) as Banker of the Year. He also accepted an Award of Excellence in the Best Digital Marketing category for the bank’s monthly newsletter. He serves on both the board of directors of PACB and CBA of Georgia.

Sympathy
CBA offers our sincere sympathy to the family, friends and associates of M. Hugh Turner, former President and CEO of Colony Bank. Turner passed away last month in his hometown of Fitzgerald. Colony Bank remembers his legacy and entrepreneurial spirit that led him and a group of local businessmen to start the Bank of Fitzgerald in 1976 which would later become Colony Bank. Read more.

Jeffrey Hester, Colony Bank, Cordele, has been promoted to Cordele Market President.

Amber Herrington, Colony Bank, Cordele has been promoted to Vice President, Commercial Banker.

Colony Bank, Leesburg, has announced that industry veteran Phil Franklin will retire on June 30, 2022. Since joining Colony Bank in 2011, Phil has served in various roles, such as Market President and Commercial Banker.

M. Scott Brookins has been named to the Board of Directors of PeoplesSouth Bank, Colquitt.

Jamie Knight has been promoted to Leesburg Market President at Colony Bank.

Amy Collier has been promoted to Chief Financial Officer at
Craft Bank, Atlanta.

Amanda Goode has joined River City Bank, Blairsville, as Universal Banker II.

Stephanie Miller has joined River City Bank, Blairsville, as Universal Banker II.

Austin Pattee has joined River City Bank, Blairsville, as Universal Banker I.

Donna Wall has been promoted to Assistant Vice President of Loan Administration at Exchange Bank, Milledgeville.

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:

Calling HR Professionals, CEOs and CFOs – Learn and Compare!
June 28, 2022 | Live Virtual STREAM
With benefits renewal season around the corner, CBA is making it easy for you to learn about offerings from four different companies in an informative and efficient format. Mark your calendar for Tuesday, June 28, 2022, from 2:00—3:30 p.m. and hear from Captive Solutions & Options, Engage PEO, FlexHR, and Insperity. Each company will present for 15 minutes, followed by 5 minutes of Q & A. CBA invites HR personnel, senior management, and of course, members of the HR & Talent Development League. Click here to register.

Innovation Exploration Regulatory Series:
Implementing Deposit Programs
July 20, 2022 | Live Virtual STREAM
Join Troutman Pepper attorney James Stevens and experienced BAAS bankers for a discussion on the unique features and challenges associated with prepaid and debit card and other deposit programs, as well as the establishment of FBO account programs for third parties. The discussion will focus on the impact of the brokered deposit rules, BSA/AML requirements and other regulatory regimes that apply to these programs. Register today!

Instructor:
James W. Stevens
Troutman Pepper

The Banking & Financial Institutions Practice Group’s mission is to provide affordable consultative solutions to clients in the banking and financial services industry. Our attorneys routinely advise financial institutions on a wide range of complex legal and regulatory issues, as well as industry best practices. The firm’s clients include publicly and privately held community banks, insurance companies, finance companies, investment companies, private equity funds, private investors, check cashing processors, and consulting companies in the financial institutions area.

Contact Michael White at 478-749-9921 or visit their website.

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

June 22, 2022