March 23, 2016
Events
CBA University
Industry Representation
Legislative Updates
Member Services
Conferences
Conventions
Schools
Webinars
Banker Regulatory Forums
Compliance
CBA University
Industry Representation
Legislative Updates
Member Services
Conferences
Conventions
Schools
Webinars
Banker Regulatory Forums
Compliance
Superior
Products,
Significant Discounts
Products,
Significant Discounts
Credit/Debit Card Program
Spring Regional Luncheon Meetings Begin Next Week!
Sign up now!
Don’t miss this opportunity to network with your colleagues and peers and learn about timely topics presented by expert speakers at CBA’s Spring Regional Luncheon Meetings. The first one is this Monday, March 28th in Macon. Enjoy an engaging working lunch and return to the office armed with ideas to immediately put in place.
Topics include management of real property, how to avoid collateral damage (with cautionary tales) and a look at national trends in financial technology. As a special treat, recently retired community banker and long-time friend of CBA, Neil Joiner will take the stage and briefly entertain us with his humorous tales.
The Spring Meetings offer the perfect opportunity to network with community bankers and CBA associate members. All three meetings will be followed by a PAC/PR Golf Tournament and Post-tournament Cookout. The Bankers Only Peer Group Meeting is held before the luncheon for bankers to network and discuss hot topics of their choice. The Legislative Update will be provided by Dan Brannan of CBA’s General Counsel and Spring Regional Luncheon Meeting exclusive sponsor, James-Bates-Brannan-Groover-LLP. In addition, Tim Veal from the accounting firm, Nichols, Cauley & Associates, LLC, a CBA associate member, will provide an update on accounting issues.
Click on a date to register:
Monday, March 28 – Idle Hour Country Club, Macon
Wednesday, April 13 – Reunion Golf & Country Club, Hoschton
Wednesday, April 20 – Doublegate Country Club, Albany
View the Golf Tournament brochure or the Spring Luncheon flyer. A few Golf Tournament sponsorships are still available! Please contact Lindsay Greene (770) 541-0376 to learn more. For general information, please contact Peake Wilson (770) 541-0379.
Sign up now!
Don’t miss this opportunity to network with your colleagues and peers and learn about timely topics presented by expert speakers at CBA’s Spring Regional Luncheon Meetings. The first one is this Monday, March 28th in Macon. Enjoy an engaging working lunch and return to the office armed with ideas to immediately put in place.
Topics include management of real property, how to avoid collateral damage (with cautionary tales) and a look at national trends in financial technology. As a special treat, recently retired community banker and long-time friend of CBA, Neil Joiner will take the stage and briefly entertain us with his humorous tales.
The Spring Meetings offer the perfect opportunity to network with community bankers and CBA associate members. All three meetings will be followed by a PAC/PR Golf Tournament and Post-tournament Cookout. The Bankers Only Peer Group Meeting is held before the luncheon for bankers to network and discuss hot topics of their choice. The Legislative Update will be provided by Dan Brannan of CBA’s General Counsel and Spring Regional Luncheon Meeting exclusive sponsor, James-Bates-Brannan-Groover-LLP. In addition, Tim Veal from the accounting firm, Nichols, Cauley & Associates, LLC, a CBA associate member, will provide an update on accounting issues.
Click on a date to register:
Monday, March 28 – Idle Hour Country Club, Macon
Wednesday, April 13 – Reunion Golf & Country Club, Hoschton
Wednesday, April 20 – Doublegate Country Club, Albany
View the Golf Tournament brochure or the Spring Luncheon flyer. A few Golf Tournament sponsorships are still available! Please contact Lindsay Greene (770) 541-0376 to learn more. For general information, please contact Peake Wilson (770) 541-0379.
Concerns Regarding Visa Debit Verification Methods
Bankers are reporting that a few merchants have implemented point of sale processes that require Visa Debit cardholders to enter their PIN to complete their EMV debit card purchase. Visa Debit cards are designed to work with signature or PIN functionality and cardholders are accustomed to having the choice of using either cardholder verification method to complete their transactions. Point of Sale (POS) processes that force PIN verification have resulted in cardholder complaints because those consumers prefer to complete their Visa Debit transactions without exposing their PIN. By forcing PIN at the point of sale, not only is the merchant limiting cardholder choice they are choosing to deny Visa Debit thereby violating Visa’s Honor All Cards rule.
Visa is in discussions with the merchants and their acquirers who have implemented these processes in an effort to resolve the issue. While those deliberations continue, we would like to share with you some information that we ask you to pass along to any of your members who receive Visa cardholder complaints about forced use of PIN for verification. It is recommended that bankers contact Visa and complete a Visa complaint form which is available online as those details will be helpful in bringing more pressure to bear on this problem. Bankers can also provide the link to the Visa Cardholder Complaint Form to those customers who complain. See below:
Cardholder Complaint Form or Issuer Complaint Form
Bankers are reporting that a few merchants have implemented point of sale processes that require Visa Debit cardholders to enter their PIN to complete their EMV debit card purchase. Visa Debit cards are designed to work with signature or PIN functionality and cardholders are accustomed to having the choice of using either cardholder verification method to complete their transactions. Point of Sale (POS) processes that force PIN verification have resulted in cardholder complaints because those consumers prefer to complete their Visa Debit transactions without exposing their PIN. By forcing PIN at the point of sale, not only is the merchant limiting cardholder choice they are choosing to deny Visa Debit thereby violating Visa’s Honor All Cards rule.
Visa is in discussions with the merchants and their acquirers who have implemented these processes in an effort to resolve the issue. While those deliberations continue, we would like to share with you some information that we ask you to pass along to any of your members who receive Visa cardholder complaints about forced use of PIN for verification. It is recommended that bankers contact Visa and complete a Visa complaint form which is available online as those details will be helpful in bringing more pressure to bear on this problem. Bankers can also provide the link to the Visa Cardholder Complaint Form to those customers who complain. See below:
Cardholder Complaint Form or Issuer Complaint Form
OCC's Curry: CRA Assessment Areas Need Review
Comptroller of the Currency Thomas Curry said recently that policymakers will eventually have to re-evaluate the Community Reinvestment Act's approach to assigning assessment areas based on bank branches in light of the explosive growth of mobile banking. Speaking before the annual conference of the National Community Reinvestment Coalition, Curry noted that the current assessment system, in which geographic boundaries determine whether a bank has a presence in a community or not, is essentially unchanged since the law was passed in 1977. But Curry signaled that regulators, Congress and community groups may have to cast a broader net to account for mobile deposits or other technology that allows a bank to do business in an area without having a brick-and-mortar branch, which is currently the primary criterion for determining an assessment area. Read more in American Banker.
Comptroller of the Currency Thomas Curry said recently that policymakers will eventually have to re-evaluate the Community Reinvestment Act's approach to assigning assessment areas based on bank branches in light of the explosive growth of mobile banking. Speaking before the annual conference of the National Community Reinvestment Coalition, Curry noted that the current assessment system, in which geographic boundaries determine whether a bank has a presence in a community or not, is essentially unchanged since the law was passed in 1977. But Curry signaled that regulators, Congress and community groups may have to cast a broader net to account for mobile deposits or other technology that allows a bank to do business in an area without having a brick-and-mortar branch, which is currently the primary criterion for determining an assessment area. Read more in American Banker.
House Extends Servicemember Foreclosure Protection
The House passed legislation to restore foreclosure protections for military personnel leaving active duty. The Foreclosure Relief and Extension for Servicemembers Act of 2015 (S.2393), which passed the Senate last year, extends the protection through 2017.
The one-year protection under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act reverted back to 90 days at the end of last year. In a joint letter yesterday, ICBA and a coalition of other organizations wrote that restoring the one-year protection would enable the mortgage industry to provide a consistent experience for military homeowners.
For more information, contact ICBA’s Joseph Gormley at Joseph.Gormley@icba.org.
The House passed legislation to restore foreclosure protections for military personnel leaving active duty. The Foreclosure Relief and Extension for Servicemembers Act of 2015 (S.2393), which passed the Senate last year, extends the protection through 2017.
The one-year protection under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act reverted back to 90 days at the end of last year. In a joint letter yesterday, ICBA and a coalition of other organizations wrote that restoring the one-year protection would enable the mortgage industry to provide a consistent experience for military homeowners.
For more information, contact ICBA’s Joseph Gormley at Joseph.Gormley@icba.org.
Agencies Issue Customer ID Guidance on Prepaid Cards
Federal banking regulators clarified Customer Identification Program requirements for bank-issued prepaid cards. The guidance clarifies that bank CIPs should apply to holders of certain bank-issued prepaid cards and holders of prepaid cards purchased through third-party program managers. It also describes when banks should obtain cardholder information.
Community banks that merely sell Visa and MasterCard gift cards that are not reloadable and not subject to overdraft do not have to comply with CIP requirements. Read the Guidance.
Federal banking regulators clarified Customer Identification Program requirements for bank-issued prepaid cards. The guidance clarifies that bank CIPs should apply to holders of certain bank-issued prepaid cards and holders of prepaid cards purchased through third-party program managers. It also describes when banks should obtain cardholder information.
Community banks that merely sell Visa and MasterCard gift cards that are not reloadable and not subject to overdraft do not have to comply with CIP requirements. Read the Guidance.
FS-ISAC Issues Crisis Response Playbook
FS-ISAC’s latest community institution risk summary features its All-Hazards Crisis Response Playbook. The playbook, which is aligned with the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, provides instructions and contact information that community institutions can use during a crisis to contact government for assistance, share information anonymously with FS-ISAC, or request to share information within a smaller community. Read More from FS-ISAC.
FS-ISAC’s latest community institution risk summary features its All-Hazards Crisis Response Playbook. The playbook, which is aligned with the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, provides instructions and contact information that community institutions can use during a crisis to contact government for assistance, share information anonymously with FS-ISAC, or request to share information within a smaller community. Read More from FS-ISAC.
Gov. Deal Proclaims April Community Banking Month
Let CBA Help Your Bank Celebrate!
April is Community Banking Month and the Community Bankers Association of Georgia and community banks across Georgia are recognizing the unique spirit that makes community banks the foundation of their communities in cities and towns throughout the state. Governor Nathan Deal recently proclaimed April 2016 as Community Banking Month in Georgia.
Make your plans now on how you will show appreciation to your loyal customers and demonstrate the importance of community banking to the public.
Take advantage of these FREE resources from CBA:
Let CBA Help Your Bank Celebrate!
April is Community Banking Month and the Community Bankers Association of Georgia and community banks across Georgia are recognizing the unique spirit that makes community banks the foundation of their communities in cities and towns throughout the state. Governor Nathan Deal recently proclaimed April 2016 as Community Banking Month in Georgia.
Make your plans now on how you will show appreciation to your loyal customers and demonstrate the importance of community banking to the public.
Take advantage of these FREE resources from CBA:
- Press release for member banks to distribute to local media
- Signed proclamation from Governor Nathan Deal declaring April Community Banking Month
- Ways to Celebrate Community Banking Month
- Community Banking Month Employee Fact Sheet
- Community Banking Month Customizable Op Ed
- Banner ads for your website
Leadership Academy Kicks Off 2016 Series
The first 2016 session of the Leadership Academy took place on Wednesday, March 16, 2016, at Idle Hour Country Club in Macon to an eager audience of current and future community bank leaders. The informative session covered “The Business of Banking: Strategic Planning” and “Preparing for Leadership: Considering Shareholder Value” presented by Philip Smith with Gerrish McCreary Smith, Memphis, TN and “Strategic Marketing & Branding” presented by Stephen Nikitas, Harland Clarke, New York, NY. Insights provided by both speakers included suggestions on how to make bank strategic planning sessions more efficient and productive, what to consider when adding value to the bank’s products and services, ways to increase loan growth, customer retention and how to make the most of credit triggers.
“The topics that Philip and Stephen discussed could not have been more timely,” stated CBA President Rob Braswell. “Just a week earlier at the ICBA Convention, a panel of federal regulators discussed how examiners will be pressing bankers to validate the viability of their business plans. The need for strategic planning and marketing has become even more critical as banks deal with added regulations, intense competition, and changing consumer expectations.”
The second quarter Community Bank Leadership Academy is taking place at the 38th Annual Leadership Division Convention & Mini-Trade Show being held Wednesday-Sunday, June 22-26, 2016, at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Lake Buena Vista, FL. The other two sessions will take place in August and October. To learn more, please click here or contact Peake Wilson at the CBA office. Thank you to our sponsors!
The first 2016 session of the Leadership Academy took place on Wednesday, March 16, 2016, at Idle Hour Country Club in Macon to an eager audience of current and future community bank leaders. The informative session covered “The Business of Banking: Strategic Planning” and “Preparing for Leadership: Considering Shareholder Value” presented by Philip Smith with Gerrish McCreary Smith, Memphis, TN and “Strategic Marketing & Branding” presented by Stephen Nikitas, Harland Clarke, New York, NY. Insights provided by both speakers included suggestions on how to make bank strategic planning sessions more efficient and productive, what to consider when adding value to the bank’s products and services, ways to increase loan growth, customer retention and how to make the most of credit triggers.
“The topics that Philip and Stephen discussed could not have been more timely,” stated CBA President Rob Braswell. “Just a week earlier at the ICBA Convention, a panel of federal regulators discussed how examiners will be pressing bankers to validate the viability of their business plans. The need for strategic planning and marketing has become even more critical as banks deal with added regulations, intense competition, and changing consumer expectations.”
The second quarter Community Bank Leadership Academy is taking place at the 38th Annual Leadership Division Convention & Mini-Trade Show being held Wednesday-Sunday, June 22-26, 2016, at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Lake Buena Vista, FL. The other two sessions will take place in August and October. To learn more, please click here or contact Peake Wilson at the CBA office. Thank you to our sponsors!
Photos from Leadership Academy
CBA is going to Disney!
Mark your calendar and join us at CBA’s 38th Annual Leadership Division
Convention & Mini-Trade Show!
Mark your calendar and join us at CBA’s 38th Annual Leadership Division
Convention & Mini-Trade Show!
Saturday's Keynote Address, Award-Winning Coach Bill Curry!
Bill Curry has spent his entire adult life as a leader and communicator. His NFL career included two Super Bowl titles and a stint as the President of the NFL Players Association. Bill served as head football coach for Georgia Tech ('80-'86), the University of Alabama ('87-'89), and the University of Kentucky ('90-'96). In 1989, Bill was recognized as the nation's top coach with the Bobby Dodd National Coach of the Year Award. Join us and your colleagues and peers to hear Coach Bill Curry and other amazing speakers at Disney's Contemporary Resort, Lake Buena Vista, FL, Wednesday - Sunday, June 22-26th for CBA's 38th Annual Leadership Division Convention & Mini-Trade Show!
Bill Curry has spent his entire adult life as a leader and communicator. His NFL career included two Super Bowl titles and a stint as the President of the NFL Players Association. Bill served as head football coach for Georgia Tech ('80-'86), the University of Alabama ('87-'89), and the University of Kentucky ('90-'96). In 1989, Bill was recognized as the nation's top coach with the Bobby Dodd National Coach of the Year Award. Join us and your colleagues and peers to hear Coach Bill Curry and other amazing speakers at Disney's Contemporary Resort, Lake Buena Vista, FL, Wednesday - Sunday, June 22-26th for CBA's 38th Annual Leadership Division Convention & Mini-Trade Show!
Learn more about this year’s destination with a little Disney Trivia!
See Disney Fun Fact Answer Below!
Three Weeks Left to Apply for the Walraven Scholarship!
The Community Bankers Association of Georgia and the Walraven family continue to offer the annual $500 scholarship through the 2016 J. Steven Walraven Memorial Scholarship Fund to a full-time Georgia community bank employee who plans to attend or is currently enrolled in a college, university or technical institute in the state of Georgia. The scholarship helps employees who want to further their education as well as enhance their career in community banking. To apply, employees must write a short essay on how community banking has impacted their life and how it will enable them to give back to their community. Completed applications should be received by the CBA office by Friday, April 15, 2016. Scholarship winners will be announced this Spring. Click here to download the scholarship packet. For more information, visit the Walraven Scholarship page or contact Tony Moore.
The Community Bankers Association of Georgia and the Walraven family continue to offer the annual $500 scholarship through the 2016 J. Steven Walraven Memorial Scholarship Fund to a full-time Georgia community bank employee who plans to attend or is currently enrolled in a college, university or technical institute in the state of Georgia. The scholarship helps employees who want to further their education as well as enhance their career in community banking. To apply, employees must write a short essay on how community banking has impacted their life and how it will enable them to give back to their community. Completed applications should be received by the CBA office by Friday, April 15, 2016. Scholarship winners will be announced this Spring. Click here to download the scholarship packet. For more information, visit the Walraven Scholarship page or contact Tony Moore.
We will host our quarterly Banker Regulatory Forum at CBA’s headquarters on Thursday, May 5th. To submit a question to any of the Regulatory Agencies, please click here. The question & answer session, regulatory hot topics and open discussion remain in high regard and you do not want to miss out. Mark your calendar and plan to join us and your peers on May 5th!
For more information regarding banking regulations, please contact Steven Rigdon or Rob Braswell – (770) 541-4490 / (800) 648-8215.
Mortgage Lending School Less Than a Week Away!
ARE YOU REGISTERED? Fast Approaching! - March 29-31
The CBA understands the challenges community banks face in understanding the major Dodd-Frank Act changes affecting the residential mortgage industry in the last several years. To help your bank comply with these changes and to assist you in improved mortgage customer service, more efficient processing and servicing and stronger underwriting, the CBA is pleased to announce plans for this new three-day Mortgage Lending School designed specifically for community bank mortgage lenders. This three-day school provides the real-estate lending professional with a solid foundation for managing and producing a quality mortgage portfolio. This hands-on institute includes exercises in buying and selling mortgages in the secondary markets, a visit to a construction site, analysis of the tax return of a self-employed borrower and much more! David Kemp, founder and president of Bankers Management, Inc., a financial management consulting and training firm in College Park, GA, heads the distinguished faculty. Please make plans today to attend this important new school. To register, click here or contact the CBA Education Department.
ARE YOU REGISTERED? Fast Approaching! - March 29-31
The CBA understands the challenges community banks face in understanding the major Dodd-Frank Act changes affecting the residential mortgage industry in the last several years. To help your bank comply with these changes and to assist you in improved mortgage customer service, more efficient processing and servicing and stronger underwriting, the CBA is pleased to announce plans for this new three-day Mortgage Lending School designed specifically for community bank mortgage lenders. This three-day school provides the real-estate lending professional with a solid foundation for managing and producing a quality mortgage portfolio. This hands-on institute includes exercises in buying and selling mortgages in the secondary markets, a visit to a construction site, analysis of the tax return of a self-employed borrower and much more! David Kemp, founder and president of Bankers Management, Inc., a financial management consulting and training firm in College Park, GA, heads the distinguished faculty. Please make plans today to attend this important new school. To register, click here or contact the CBA Education Department.
Save the Dates for the July Human Resource HR Forum Workshop
On March 15th and March 22nd, Ray Stanford, Founder and Principal, SIO Law Group, led an engaging discussion in Macon and Atlanta regarding the important topic of "Developing & Integrating Policies in a Financial Workplace: Making Handbooks Work". The next HR Forum workshop is in July and the topic is “Making HR Work with Technology”. Please make plans today to attend a July location most convenient for you. Click here to register for July 12 in Atlanta or click here to register for July14 in Macon.
On March 15th and March 22nd, Ray Stanford, Founder and Principal, SIO Law Group, led an engaging discussion in Macon and Atlanta regarding the important topic of "Developing & Integrating Policies in a Financial Workplace: Making Handbooks Work". The next HR Forum workshop is in July and the topic is “Making HR Work with Technology”. Please make plans today to attend a July location most convenient for you. Click here to register for July 12 in Atlanta or click here to register for July14 in Macon.
Joequetta S. Jackson, Vice President of Professional Bank Services, the CBA Compliance Program provider, will lead two workshops on June 21 in Duluth and June 22 in Macon. The focus of these workshops is on the day the account is opened. The speaker will provide hard to get state law requirements for ownership and documentation. Attendees learn the "why" behind standard operating procedures. The program also covers CIP procedures and IRS Reporting compliance issues. To register, click here for Tuesday, June 21, 2016 in Duluth or click here for Wednesday, June 22, 2016 in Macon.
F&M Bank Organizes Blood Drive
F&M Bank and Washington Rotary Club jointly sponsored a community blood drive, providing hotdogs and a door prize for participants. F&M Bank CFO, Ed Pope organized the event.
F&M Bank and Washington Rotary Club jointly sponsored a community blood drive, providing hotdogs and a door prize for participants. F&M Bank CFO, Ed Pope organized the event.
Heritage Community Foundation Presents Art Grant
The Heritage Community Foundation presented a grant to Jerry Hesselink (Founder, Henry for Music) and Lynna Schmidt (President & Artistic Director, Henry Arts Alliance) on March 14, 2016. The $2,000 grant will be used by Henry for Music to service and refurbish donated used musical instruments that will be donated to Henry County middle schools to be loaned to students from low-income families.
The Heritage Community Foundation presented a grant to Jerry Hesselink (Founder, Henry for Music) and Lynna Schmidt (President & Artistic Director, Henry Arts Alliance) on March 14, 2016. The $2,000 grant will be used by Henry for Music to service and refurbish donated used musical instruments that will be donated to Henry County middle schools to be loaned to students from low-income families.
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United National Bank - Cairo Seth Stanaland has joined the bank as a Loan Officer. |
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Citizens Bank of the South - Sandersville Tonya Brooks has been named Assistant Vice President. |
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Newton Federal Bank - Covington Ronny Cook has been named Vice President, Controller. |
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Newton Federal Bank - Covington Aimee Corcoran has been named Assistant Vice President, Branch Sales Manager. |
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Newton Federal Bank - Covington
Jamie Reagin joined the bank as Vice President, Area Operations Manager. |
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Planters First Bank - Cordele Clay Corbitt has been named Market President for the newly opened Warner Robins market. |
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Planters First Bank - Cordele Bob Way has been named Chief Strategy Officer. |
Disney Fun Fact Answer: True!
The CBA has been recognized on a national level for its invaluable educational programs and corporate events. The CBA has a variety of options for all positions in a community bank…from the teller line to the board room. We invite you to join us for one of the upcoming programs. For more options, Click here for the CBA Calendar. For assistance with Education Programs, contact Jodi Swilley. For assistance with Corporate Events, contact Peake Wilson.
First & Second Quarter 2016
8th Annual Bank Directors' & Executive Management Conference
Wednesday, March 23, 2016 - Atlanta Inaugural Mortgage Lending School Tuesday-Thursday, March 29-31 - Atlanta HMDA Tuesday, April 12 - Macon Compliance Program – Complying with the New Integrated Disclosures (TRID) Wednesday, April 13 – Macon Thursday, April 14 - Savannah Tuesday, April 19 - Tifton Wednesday, April 20 - Duluth Thursday, April 21 - Rome Branch Management Series (All series will be held at the JHTC at CBA Headquarters) Series IV: April 21 - Atlanta Watch for dates for Series I, II & III. Commercial Lending School Monday-Friday, April 25-29 - Atlanta 2016 Webinars Click here to view webinar listing and to register. 2016 On-Line Training Click here for on-line training with Bankers Edge (Bankers Edge is a CBA Endorsed Member Company) |
First & Second Quarter 2016
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Spring Regional Luncheon Meetings & PAC/PR Golf Tournaments
Monday, March 28 - Macon Wednesday, April 13 – Hoschton Wednesday, April 20 - Albany 2nd Quarter Banker Regulatory Forum Thursday, May 5 - Atlanta |
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We are community banking.
1900 The Exchange, Suite 600, Atlanta, GA 30339
Phone: (770) 541-4490 / (800) 648-8215 | Fax: (770) 541- 4496 • www.cbaofga.com
1900 The Exchange, Suite 600, Atlanta, GA 30339
Phone: (770) 541-4490 / (800) 648-8215 | Fax: (770) 541- 4496 • www.cbaofga.com
Upcoming Events
Spring Regional Luncheon Meeting & PAC/PR Golf
March 28 - Macon
Inaugural Mortgage Lending School
March 29-31 - Atlanta
HMDA
April 12 - Macon
Spring Regional Luncheon Meeting & PAC/PR Golf
March 28 - Macon
Inaugural Mortgage Lending School
March 29-31 - Atlanta
HMDA
April 12 - Macon
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