Close to 300 bankers, Associate Members and their families are headed to Amelia Island, FL this week for CBA’s 51st Annual Convention & Mini-Trade Show. There's so much to learn and enjoy during these exciting days at The Ritz Carlton as we hear from amazing speakers, network with friends, and enjoy all that we have in store! Look out for highlights in next week’s eNewsletter. Please have a safe journey to the convention and we will see you soon!

CBA and STS Group Collect Disaster Relief Supplies for Bahamas
CBA and Endorsed Member Company STS Group are joining forces to collect relief supplies for those affected by Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas. CBA invites you to bring items to the Annual Convention for the relief efforts. CBA's Cassie Conklin has volunteered to deliver the supplies to Miami immediately following the convention. Please ask the CBA registration desk for where you can drop off your donations. If you would like to make a monetary donation to the relief efforts by CBA and STS Group, please use the GoFundMe link here.
Scott Couch, President & CEO of STS Group, will be driving to Miami and collecting donated supplies along the way. The supplies will then be transported to the Bahamas. Scott invites Georgia banks to help by collecting supplies and he has volunteered to stop by and pick them up on his way to Amelia Island. Read the full press release.
Items requested include: bottled water; canned foods/non-perishable foods; disinfectants; flashlights; cooking utensils; batteries; plastic sheeting; power banks; mosquito repellent; solar-powered chargers; portable radios; first-aid kits; hygiene kits (tissues, toothpaste, tooth brushes, towels, sanitary napkins); cleaning supplies (bleach, mops, brooms, garbage bags, sponges, clothespins); baby supplies (formula, diapers, bottles); disposable plates and eating utensils; can openers; school supplies; solar powered fans; and sunscreen.
CBA and Endorsed Member Company STS Group are joining forces to collect relief supplies for those affected by Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas. CBA invites you to bring items to the Annual Convention for the relief efforts. CBA's Cassie Conklin has volunteered to deliver the supplies to Miami immediately following the convention. Please ask the CBA registration desk for where you can drop off your donations. If you would like to make a monetary donation to the relief efforts by CBA and STS Group, please use the GoFundMe link here.
Scott Couch, President & CEO of STS Group, will be driving to Miami and collecting donated supplies along the way. The supplies will then be transported to the Bahamas. Scott invites Georgia banks to help by collecting supplies and he has volunteered to stop by and pick them up on his way to Amelia Island. Read the full press release.
Items requested include: bottled water; canned foods/non-perishable foods; disinfectants; flashlights; cooking utensils; batteries; plastic sheeting; power banks; mosquito repellent; solar-powered chargers; portable radios; first-aid kits; hygiene kits (tissues, toothpaste, tooth brushes, towels, sanitary napkins); cleaning supplies (bleach, mops, brooms, garbage bags, sponges, clothespins); baby supplies (formula, diapers, bottles); disposable plates and eating utensils; can openers; school supplies; solar powered fans; and sunscreen.
Georgia’s community bankers do great things in their communities every day. Here is the latest on community outreach and news from CBA Members:
- Volunteers from Oconee State Bank, Watkinsville, recently hosted their annual party at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. The superhero themed party included arts & crafts, a photo booth, decorated cookies, and writing their own superhero stories. In addition, team members donated books for the children. In addition, Hal Jackson, VP Commercial Lender, and Trevor Booth, VP Director of Business Services, recently visited a local AP Economics class to discuss the role of community banks in personal finance.
- Providence Bank, Alpharetta, recently held a cookout and collected donations for the Alpharetta Public Safety Foundation and Milton First Responders Foundation.
- Queensborough National Bank and Trust, Swainsboro, recently sponsored and hosted a Golden Harvest Food Bank Mobile Food Pantry at its Swainsboro branch.
- Four of Renasant Bank’s North Georgia branches volunteered with Hunger Has No Religion to provide hygiene kits for the homeless in Fulton County and Atlanta. The bank donated 250 hygiene kits.
- The Bank of Soperton recently welcomed new students to its 2019-2020 Bank of Soperton Youth Leadership Board. The bank is sponsoring its third Youth Leadership Program in Treutlen County.
- Morris Bank, Dublin, recently hosted a Downtown Dublin Coffee Break in downtown Dublin.
- United National Bank, Cairo, recently presented Robert Dykes and the Zebulon Theater a check for $1,830 following the opening of the faith-themed Kendrick brothers film "Overcomer."
- Greg Funkhouser, President of Rabun County Bank, Clayton, was recently recognized by CBA for 40 years of dedicated service to the community banking industry. This prestigious award was presented to Greg at the bank by John McNair, President & CEO of CBA.
- Vonda Coleman, First State Bank of Randolph County, Cuthbert, was recently recognized by CBA for 50 years of dedicated service to the community banking industry. This prestigious award was presented to Vonda at the bank by John McNair, President & CEO of CBA. In addition, a posthumous Lifetime Service Award was presented to the Curry family in honor of Charlie Curry. Last year marked the 50th anniversary of Charlie's banking career. CBA was honored to recognize Charlie's achievement.
- The readers of the Lake Oconee Breeze voted BankSouth, Greensboro, as best financial institution and best mortgage company and Lake Country Discovery Museum best museum for the 8th consecutive year.
- United Community Bank, Blairsville, and Atlantic Capital Bank, Atlanta, were each named one of the Best Banks to Work For in 2019 by American Banker. See the list.
- Colony Bank, Fitzgerald, recently won the award for Large Business of the Year at the Community Partners in Education's 2019 Awards Reception. In addition, the bank’s Rochelle branch was named September sponsor of the month by Wilcox County FFA. Lastly, retiring CFO Terry Hester and incoming CFO Tracie Youngblood were recently recognized on the NASDAQ Times Square Tower in New York City, NY.
- CBA had the pleasure of welcoming Michael Huff, Vice President and new Director of Government Relations for the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta. The group had a very productive meeting. Pictured l-r are Lori Godfrey, Chief of Staff, EVP, Government and Regulatory Relations, CBA; Jessica Kuss, Government & Industry Relations, FHLB Atlanta; Eric Mondres, SVP, Director of Government and Industry Relations, FHLB Atlanta; Michael Huff, VP, Director of Government Relations, FHLB Atlanta; John McNair, President & CEO, CBA
CBA PAC/PR Fund Update
We are pleased to announce a recent contribution to the CBA Political Affairs Committee and Public Relations (PAC/PR) Fund.
We are pleased to announce a recent contribution to the CBA Political Affairs Committee and Public Relations (PAC/PR) Fund.
Thanks to our recent contributors to the PAC/PR Fund:
Special thanks to the contributors for the Silent/Live Auctions at CBA's 51st Annual Convention:
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In order to achieve our goals, we will need the help of your institution, Board members, officers, and employees. Your contributions are greatly appreciated and will go towards the only Georgia State PAC exclusively committed to representing the interests in community banks. Click here for contribution forms. For more information, contact Lori Godfrey.

Community Banks' Net Income Increases 8.1 Percent from Second Quarter 2018
The 4,873 FDIC-insured community banks reported net income of $6.9 billion in second quarter 2019, up $522.7 million from a year earlier. Growth in net interest income (up 5.1 percent to $19.3 billion) and noninterest income (up 4.8 percent to $4.7 billion), as well as gains on securities sales (up 654.8 percent to $233 million) drove the annual increase in profitability. Combined growth in these areas offset increases in noninterest expense (up 5.6 percent to $15.3 billion) and provision expense (up 2.2 percent to $672.7 million).
"Nationally, community banks make almost half of all small business loans (source FDIC) and ¾ of all agriculture loans; therefore, the strong financial performance of community banks is reflective robust small business and farm growth," said John McNair, President & CEO of CBA of Georgia. "Community banks provide credit and other vital financial and banking to small businesses. Together, community banks and small business form a strong partnership that helps fuel the continued expansion of the Georgia and national economies." Read the full press release from the FDIC.
The 4,873 FDIC-insured community banks reported net income of $6.9 billion in second quarter 2019, up $522.7 million from a year earlier. Growth in net interest income (up 5.1 percent to $19.3 billion) and noninterest income (up 4.8 percent to $4.7 billion), as well as gains on securities sales (up 654.8 percent to $233 million) drove the annual increase in profitability. Combined growth in these areas offset increases in noninterest expense (up 5.6 percent to $15.3 billion) and provision expense (up 2.2 percent to $672.7 million).
"Nationally, community banks make almost half of all small business loans (source FDIC) and ¾ of all agriculture loans; therefore, the strong financial performance of community banks is reflective robust small business and farm growth," said John McNair, President & CEO of CBA of Georgia. "Community banks provide credit and other vital financial and banking to small businesses. Together, community banks and small business form a strong partnership that helps fuel the continued expansion of the Georgia and national economies." Read the full press release from the FDIC.

Elder Exploitation Reports to Both APS and Law Enforcement
The Georgia Department of Banking and Finance has provided guidance on the Disabled Adults and Elder Persons Protection Act in prior bulletins including February 2018 and October 2018 to assist financial institutions in fulfilling their role as mandated reporters. The Department recently received a communication from a group of BSA Officers seeking clarification regarding requirements to submit suspected instances of financial exploitation to law enforcement. Read the DBF bulletin.
The Georgia Department of Banking and Finance has provided guidance on the Disabled Adults and Elder Persons Protection Act in prior bulletins including February 2018 and October 2018 to assist financial institutions in fulfilling their role as mandated reporters. The Department recently received a communication from a group of BSA Officers seeking clarification regarding requirements to submit suspected instances of financial exploitation to law enforcement. Read the DBF bulletin.

Order Your Copy of the 2019 CBA Salary Survey
CBA is pleased to partner with Associate Member Pentegra to offer the 2019 Georgia Community Bank Salary Survey. The survey is a compilation of current salaries and general benefits for common positions within Georgia's community banks and can be a vital tool when determining competitive pay and benefits for employee recruitment and retention. Banks are categorized by asset size as well as Metro-Atlanta and non-Metro Atlanta. All CBA member banks who participated in the survey received a complimentary copy of the survey report. Non-participating member banks are able to purchase the survey for $275 and the non-member cost is $475. Click here to order your copy.
CBA is pleased to partner with Associate Member Pentegra to offer the 2019 Georgia Community Bank Salary Survey. The survey is a compilation of current salaries and general benefits for common positions within Georgia's community banks and can be a vital tool when determining competitive pay and benefits for employee recruitment and retention. Banks are categorized by asset size as well as Metro-Atlanta and non-Metro Atlanta. All CBA member banks who participated in the survey received a complimentary copy of the survey report. Non-participating member banks are able to purchase the survey for $275 and the non-member cost is $475. Click here to order your copy.
Value is not just a single element (price); it encompasses a range of attributes of your products, services, people, and bank for which customers are willing to pay. Whether you are addressing a recent merger of mega-banks or getting a rate shopper to see the benefits in your bank even if your rates aren’t competitive, how you communicate your value contributes immensely to successfully engaging that customer. If customers believe they are getting value for their money, they will switch banks, open more accounts, and tell other people.
Understanding value is one of the most important elements of a successful bank. If customers don’t think they are getting value for their money, they will almost always base their decision on price, location, or convenience. And if you don’t have the best price, or the closest location, or the most convenient service, well, you get the picture. Learn more and register.
Understanding value is one of the most important elements of a successful bank. If customers don’t think they are getting value for their money, they will almost always base their decision on price, location, or convenience. And if you don’t have the best price, or the closest location, or the most convenient service, well, you get the picture. Learn more and register.

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