June 9 - CBA Today eNewsletter - Community Bankers Association of Georgia

On behalf of your CBA team, thank you for making the CBA 53rd Annual Convention a memorable one. CBA’s convention was one of the first across the country to be held since the pandemic, and the excitement and enthusiasm to gather as a community banking industry was on full display. We are grateful for all the support from our member banks and partner firms to make this event happen. The programming and educational events designed by the CBA Convention Committee received high marks from all attendees as well. Finally, thank you to Governor Brian Kemp for his message of thanks and support for CBA and its member banks. We appreciate the Governor’s support of the state’s community banking industry.

Culture, Non-Interest Income, and Fintech are Focus of Annual Convention
Over 300 community bankers, Preferred Service Providers, Associate Members, friends and family members came together to learn and network at CBA’s 53rd Annual Convention and Mini-Trade Show last week at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island.

Day one began with a combined Leadership Division and CBA Board meeting, followed by numerous committee meetings including Advocacy, Education, Innovation, and Associate Member/Member Services committees.

The opening session began on Wednesday with Frank Griffin, President, Flint Community Bank, Albany, singing the National Anthem and followed by Keynote Speaker Galen Emanuale, who presented a highly interactive session entitled "Creating a 'Yes and' Culture of High-Level Performance and Engagement."

Phillip Smith, Gerrish Smith Tuck, PC, then presented “Everything Has Changed! We May Not Return to Normal.” His presentation was followed by breakout sessions and the Mini-Trade Show, featuring 29 exhibitors from across the country.

This year’s convention focused on three major themes – culture, non-interest income, and Fintech. In addition to content-rich programs each day, the convention was complimented by a PAC Fundraiser one evening, an Ultimate Beach Party, and of course, the Chairman’s Reception, Banquet and Dance Party.

Stay tuned for next week’s e-Newsletter featuring CBA’s New Chairs for the Board and Lead Committees, regulator panel, sponsors, exhibitors, and much more.

Special thanks to all who attended and supported with sponsorships and donations to the Silent Auction. Attendees left ready to return to the Ritz in 2022!

BankSouth Celebrates 75th Anniversary, June 5th Declared
BankSouth Day by City of Greensboro
BankSouth, Greensboro, celebrated its 75th anniversary with customers on Saturday, June 5. The event was held in downtown Greensboro at a historic venue, where hundreds of customers joined BankSouth’s employees, board of directors, and Chairman and CEO, Harold Reynolds in the festivities.

Among the attendees was Greensboro’s city councilman, Chris Moore, who presented a proclamation from the mayor of Greensboro declaring June 5th “BankSouth Day.” Read more.

June is National Homeowner’s Month –
Celebrate with CBA’s Marketing Toolkit
During the month of June, we encourage you to celebrate homeownership in your community.

CBA's Free Marketing Toolkit for National Homeowner's Month includes info about homeownership, promotional materials for your website, social media, and more, including hashtags, banner ads, facts, and two campaign options. One is for first-time homeowners, and the other is for a dream home. Check out the campaign.

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

Exchange Bank, Milledgeville: The bank’s New Horizons Travel Club completed its first trip in over 15 months. In May, Kelly Anderson, New Horizons Director, escorted 24 travelers to the Painted Canyons of the West. They visited Moab, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyons, Arches, Canyonlands and completed their journey in Las Vegas. Read more.

Sympathies
CBA extends our sincere sympathy to longtime CBA instructor and Associate Member Dianne Barton, Performance Solutions, on the loss of her brother, Dennis Wilson. Read more here.

Rebecca Gilliam, Director of Technology and Digital Services at River City Bank, Rome, recently earned the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

Mark McRae has joined First Chatham Bank, Savannah, as Senior Vice President and Market Credit Officer.

Heath Gilbert, Colony Bank, Albany, has been promoted to Senior Credit Officer and Senior Vice President.

Ryan Barrow, Wipfli, Atlanta, has been named a partner in the firm’s financial services area.

Kevin Christensen, Senior Vice President of Market Intelligence and Data Analytics at SHAZAM, has been elected for a second time to serve a three-year term as a member of the 2021 U.S. Faster Payments Council (FPC) Board of Directors.

Brad Collins, CEO, SunMark Community Bank, Perry, was selected as one of the recipients of the ICBA’s 2021 40 under 40. He is featured under the PPP champions section.

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:

Founded in 1993, Crescent Mortgage has always been the premier provider of secondary mortgage offerings for community banks. As a community bank-owned, top 25 national wholesale and correspondent lender, we are "totally committed to daily exceeding the expectations of our customers." Loan products include Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA, VA, USDA, Jumbo, and one-time close construction to permanent financing.

To learn more, contact Skip Willcox at 478-357-4441 or visit their website.

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

June 9, 2021