September 26, 2018
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

Dear CBA Members,
I am humbled and honored to become the next President/CEO of the Community Bankers Association of Georgia. I wish to publicly thank the Executive Committee and Board for selecting me for this prestigious position. The CBA is regarded as one of the best community bank state associations in the country and my family and I are excited to become part of the team. I am looking forward to my first day- Monday, October 15th!
In my opinion, the community banking sector is the shining star of the financial services industry. I have formed this opinion based on over 30 years of professional experience in the financial services sector. I have seen first-hand how community bankers -like all of you-change peoples lives. Whether it is providing financing for a home, small business or other need, local community banks are the TRUSTED providers of financial services to millions of people across the country. This service is important and meaningful. In other words, community bankers MAKE A DIFFERENCE every day in people’s lives. As an industry, we should be proud of our impact and be ready, willing and able to stand up and clearly communicate our unique value and service to the economy of Georgia and the country.
In closing, I wish to offer one thought: The CBA is YOUR community banking association! Your active engagement and participation across the board is needed to help us further refine and expand all of the association's offerings and advocacy efforts. I firmly believe that the result will be stronger community banks and communities! I look forward to working with all of you in this effort!
Respectfully,
John A. McNair
I am humbled and honored to become the next President/CEO of the Community Bankers Association of Georgia. I wish to publicly thank the Executive Committee and Board for selecting me for this prestigious position. The CBA is regarded as one of the best community bank state associations in the country and my family and I are excited to become part of the team. I am looking forward to my first day- Monday, October 15th!
In my opinion, the community banking sector is the shining star of the financial services industry. I have formed this opinion based on over 30 years of professional experience in the financial services sector. I have seen first-hand how community bankers -like all of you-change peoples lives. Whether it is providing financing for a home, small business or other need, local community banks are the TRUSTED providers of financial services to millions of people across the country. This service is important and meaningful. In other words, community bankers MAKE A DIFFERENCE every day in people’s lives. As an industry, we should be proud of our impact and be ready, willing and able to stand up and clearly communicate our unique value and service to the economy of Georgia and the country.
In closing, I wish to offer one thought: The CBA is YOUR community banking association! Your active engagement and participation across the board is needed to help us further refine and expand all of the association's offerings and advocacy efforts. I firmly believe that the result will be stronger community banks and communities! I look forward to working with all of you in this effort!
Respectfully,
John A. McNair

Financial Reporting Threshold Modernization Act
On September 20, 2018, Congressman Barry Loudermilk introduced H.R. 6850 to update thresholds for certain currency transaction reports and suspicious activity reports, and for other purposes. This is a standalone version of Section 2 of H.R. 6068, the Financial Services Committee’s Bank Secrecy Act/Anti-Money Laundering (BSA/AML) reform bill. This bill would increase the Currency Transaction Report (CTR) threshold from $10,000 to $30,000. It would also increase the Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) threshold for most financial institutions from $5,000 to $10,000. This bill is intended to have this part of the BSA reform separated from the debate on beneficial ownership to hopefully increase its chances of progressing through the House and Senate. We appreciate Congressman Loudermilk’s efforts to provide community banks and their customers relief from these outdated thresholds.
Don’t Miss the December CBA Compliance IV Program: BSA/AML Update
Held in Five Cities!
On September 20, 2018, Congressman Barry Loudermilk introduced H.R. 6850 to update thresholds for certain currency transaction reports and suspicious activity reports, and for other purposes. This is a standalone version of Section 2 of H.R. 6068, the Financial Services Committee’s Bank Secrecy Act/Anti-Money Laundering (BSA/AML) reform bill. This bill would increase the Currency Transaction Report (CTR) threshold from $10,000 to $30,000. It would also increase the Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) threshold for most financial institutions from $5,000 to $10,000. This bill is intended to have this part of the BSA reform separated from the debate on beneficial ownership to hopefully increase its chances of progressing through the House and Senate. We appreciate Congressman Loudermilk’s efforts to provide community banks and their customers relief from these outdated thresholds.
Don’t Miss the December CBA Compliance IV Program: BSA/AML Update
Held in Five Cities!

Fed: Community Banks Still Small Business Favorites
Community banks and community development financial institutions remain top-rated sources of credit for small-business borrowers, according to the latest survey from the 12 Federal Reserve Banks.
According to the 2017 Small Business Credit Survey, community banks and CDFIs had net lender satisfaction scores of 73 percent and 76 percent, respectively. That compares with 49 percent for large banks and 35 percent for online lenders. The survey found an increase in applications to online lenders, from 20 percent in 2015 to 24 percent last year. While borrowers said they were attracted to speedy credit decisions (70 percent) and a high chance of being funded (62 percent) by online lenders, they also reported high interest rates (52 percent) and unfavorable repayment terms (33 percent). Meanwhile, community bank borrowers were least likely to report challenges with their lender. See the survey results.
Community banks and community development financial institutions remain top-rated sources of credit for small-business borrowers, according to the latest survey from the 12 Federal Reserve Banks.
According to the 2017 Small Business Credit Survey, community banks and CDFIs had net lender satisfaction scores of 73 percent and 76 percent, respectively. That compares with 49 percent for large banks and 35 percent for online lenders. The survey found an increase in applications to online lenders, from 20 percent in 2015 to 24 percent last year. While borrowers said they were attracted to speedy credit decisions (70 percent) and a high chance of being funded (62 percent) by online lenders, they also reported high interest rates (52 percent) and unfavorable repayment terms (33 percent). Meanwhile, community bank borrowers were least likely to report challenges with their lender. See the survey results.

OCC Bank Supervision Operating Plan for Fiscal Year 2019
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) yesterday released its bank supervision operating plan for fiscal year (FY) 2019.
The plan provides the foundation for policy initiatives and for supervisory strategies as applied to individual national banks, federal savings associations, federal branches, federal agencies, and technology service providers. OCC staff members use this plan to guide their supervisory priorities, planning, and resource allocations.
Supervisory strategies for FY 2019 focus on
Fiscal Year 2019 Operating Plan
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) yesterday released its bank supervision operating plan for fiscal year (FY) 2019.
The plan provides the foundation for policy initiatives and for supervisory strategies as applied to individual national banks, federal savings associations, federal branches, federal agencies, and technology service providers. OCC staff members use this plan to guide their supervisory priorities, planning, and resource allocations.
Supervisory strategies for FY 2019 focus on
- cybersecurity and operational resiliency.
- commercial and retail credit loan underwriting, concentration risk management, and the allowance for loan and lease losses.
- Bank Secrecy Act/anti-money laundering (BSA/AML) compliance management.
- compliance-related change management to address regulatory requirements.
- internal controls and end-to-end processes necessary for product and service delivery.
Fiscal Year 2019 Operating Plan

Trump Announces New Fed Nominee
President Donald Trump announced plans to nominate Jean Liang to be a member of the Federal Reserve Board. If confirmed, Liang would fill a term expiring January 31, 2024. Liang is a senior fellow in economic studies at the Brookings Institution, a visiting scholar at the International Monetary Fund’s Monetary and Capital Markets Department, and a former director of the Fed’s Division of Financial Stability. Read more from the White House.
President Donald Trump announced plans to nominate Jean Liang to be a member of the Federal Reserve Board. If confirmed, Liang would fill a term expiring January 31, 2024. Liang is a senior fellow in economic studies at the Brookings Institution, a visiting scholar at the International Monetary Fund’s Monetary and Capital Markets Department, and a former director of the Fed’s Division of Financial Stability. Read more from the White House.

Botnets Increasingly Prey on Small Banks and Credit Unions
Botnets continue to spread through financial services systems, increasingly targeting smaller banks and credit unions, a new study says. The problem is widespread in the business world. From January to April of this year, there were roughly 3.2 billion attacks each month on all industries by botnets — malicious code that spreads through a network of devices to surreptitiously act in unison, shooting out spam or conducting massive numbers of login attempts, according to the study conducted by the digital security firm Akamai. Attacks spiked in May and June to 8.3 billion combined, the study said. It did not specify how many of these attacks involved banking companies but said they are a common problem there. Read more in American Banker.
Botnets continue to spread through financial services systems, increasingly targeting smaller banks and credit unions, a new study says. The problem is widespread in the business world. From January to April of this year, there were roughly 3.2 billion attacks each month on all industries by botnets — malicious code that spreads through a network of devices to surreptitiously act in unison, shooting out spam or conducting massive numbers of login attempts, according to the study conducted by the digital security firm Akamai. Attacks spiked in May and June to 8.3 billion combined, the study said. It did not specify how many of these attacks involved banking companies but said they are a common problem there. Read more in American Banker.

Free Credit Freezes Are Here
A provision of S. 2155 requiring credit reporting agencies to freeze consumer credit reports at no charge took effect Friday. These security or credit freezes restrict access to credit files to reduce identity theft.
A new blog post from the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection outlines how consumers can contact the major credit bureaus to request a freeze, which must be granted within one business day. Additionally, consumers may place year-long fraud alerts, which tell businesses to check with customers before opening an account.
Read more from Bureau
A provision of S. 2155 requiring credit reporting agencies to freeze consumer credit reports at no charge took effect Friday. These security or credit freezes restrict access to credit files to reduce identity theft.
A new blog post from the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection outlines how consumers can contact the major credit bureaus to request a freeze, which must be granted within one business day. Additionally, consumers may place year-long fraud alerts, which tell businesses to check with customers before opening an account.
Read more from Bureau

Are Rewards a Switching Motivator for Millennials?
New research from Kasasa, a CBA Endorsed Member Company, reveals rewards can play a critical role in younger consumers' decision to switch financial institutions. With national and regional banks holding the lion’s share of deposits, understanding what consumers - especially Millennials - look for and how likely they are to consider a community bank or credit union is crucial to winning back market share.
Millennials are looking for products with rewards such as cash back, high yields, and refunds on ATM withdrawals. According to the research, 83% of Millennials would switch banks if one offered products with more or better rewards, and younger switchers are as likely to consider a local bank as a megabank. See the infographic and get the full report from Kasasa.
New research from Kasasa, a CBA Endorsed Member Company, reveals rewards can play a critical role in younger consumers' decision to switch financial institutions. With national and regional banks holding the lion’s share of deposits, understanding what consumers - especially Millennials - look for and how likely they are to consider a community bank or credit union is crucial to winning back market share.
Millennials are looking for products with rewards such as cash back, high yields, and refunds on ATM withdrawals. According to the research, 83% of Millennials would switch banks if one offered products with more or better rewards, and younger switchers are as likely to consider a local bank as a megabank. See the infographic and get the full report from Kasasa.

CECL and IFRS 9: How Are They Different?
Financial institutions around the world are revising how they estimate credit losses, but institutions subject to the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) standards have gotten a head start on those that will follow the U.S. Financial Accounting Standards Board’s current expected credit loss model, or CECL.
Earlier effective dates of IASB’s International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS 9) aren’t the only substantive differences from CECL. Even though both standards incorporate forward-looking models for estimating credit losses of financial instruments, they have distinct differences of which both domestic and international institutions should be made aware. Read the full article. Guest article from CBA Associate Member Sageworks.
Financial institutions around the world are revising how they estimate credit losses, but institutions subject to the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) standards have gotten a head start on those that will follow the U.S. Financial Accounting Standards Board’s current expected credit loss model, or CECL.
Earlier effective dates of IASB’s International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS 9) aren’t the only substantive differences from CECL. Even though both standards incorporate forward-looking models for estimating credit losses of financial instruments, they have distinct differences of which both domestic and international institutions should be made aware. Read the full article. Guest article from CBA Associate Member Sageworks.

Complying with federal lending laws and regulations continues to be a demanding task that requires a thorough understanding of the applicable rules. The school helps financial institutions meet the compliance challenge by providing intensive training on the various core lending federal banking laws and regulations. Information provided also helps you build the basic foundation to maintain an effective compliance program.
The CBA 6th Annual Compliance Lending School is a four-day school designed for all community bank staff with lending compliance responsibilities and provides the most effective compliance training available. The school curriculum includes prominent federal regulations covered in on-site compliance examinations by federal regulatory agencies. Come learn from industry experts while networking with compliance professionals from across the state! We look forward to seeing you soon at the beautiful King & Prince Beach Resort & Spa. To register, click here or contact the CBA Education Department.
The CBA 6th Annual Compliance Lending School is a four-day school designed for all community bank staff with lending compliance responsibilities and provides the most effective compliance training available. The school curriculum includes prominent federal regulations covered in on-site compliance examinations by federal regulatory agencies. Come learn from industry experts while networking with compliance professionals from across the state! We look forward to seeing you soon at the beautiful King & Prince Beach Resort & Spa. To register, click here or contact the CBA Education Department.
Thank You to Our Sponsor!
Breakfast, Name Tags, Door Prize, Tent Cards & WiFi Sponsor
Breakfast, Name Tags, Door Prize, Tent Cards & WiFi Sponsor

The federal regulatory agencies continue to rely on financial institutions to take “every reasonable step” to identify, minimize, and manage any risks that illicit financial activity may pose to the individual institution and to the industry. This one-day seminar, held in five cities and led by Mark Dever, Vice President, ProBank Austin, Louisville, Kentucky, will assist you in meeting the annual training requirements imposed by the BSA regulations. “Beneficial Ownership”, and the ever-increasing importance of Customer/Member Due Diligence standards will be discussed along with the latest guidelines on account management, ongoing monitoring, and due diligence expectations for Money Services Businesses (MSB), “Third-Party Payment Processors” (TPPP), and other “High-Risk” Clients! To register for a city most convenience for you, click here or contact the CBA Education Department.
Thank You to Our Sponsor!
Lunch Sponsor
Lunch Sponsor

Making Effective Referrals
FREE Seminar from CBA Associate Member MatchKey Consulting
Tuesday, October 16th | Julian Hester Training Center, Atlanta | 10:30 a.m. – Noon
CBA Associate Member MatchKey Consulting is offering a FREE relationship sales workshop to members who could use a refresher on Making Effective Referrals. The materials are written by Jennifer Finkelstein Hall, a successful commercial banker in Atlanta for over 27 years and founder of MatchKey Consulting. This topic is one of 4 modules included in her full day relationship sales workshop called “The Strategic Plan of Selling.” This seminar is first come, first serve. Email Jennifer Hall to register.
FREE Seminar from CBA Associate Member MatchKey Consulting
Tuesday, October 16th | Julian Hester Training Center, Atlanta | 10:30 a.m. – Noon
CBA Associate Member MatchKey Consulting is offering a FREE relationship sales workshop to members who could use a refresher on Making Effective Referrals. The materials are written by Jennifer Finkelstein Hall, a successful commercial banker in Atlanta for over 27 years and founder of MatchKey Consulting. This topic is one of 4 modules included in her full day relationship sales workshop called “The Strategic Plan of Selling.” This seminar is first come, first serve. Email Jennifer Hall to register.

Sympathies
CBA extends our sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Joel Baillie, DeNyse Companies, who passed away earlier this week. DeNyse Companies is a CBA endorsed member company. Our thoughts are with his wife Amy and their family.
CBA extends our sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Joel Baillie, DeNyse Companies, who passed away earlier this week. DeNyse Companies is a CBA endorsed member company. Our thoughts are with his wife Amy and their family.

Judy McDaniel Celebrates 50 Years in Banking
Congratulations to Judy McDaniel, Senior Vice President, Commercial Lending at The Piedmont Bank, Lawrenceville, for recently celebrating 50 years in banking in Gwinnett County.
Congratulations to Judy McDaniel, Senior Vice President, Commercial Lending at The Piedmont Bank, Lawrenceville, for recently celebrating 50 years in banking in Gwinnett County.

Newton Federal Bank Sponsors Run for Downed Officer
Newton Federal Bank, Covington, was a Platinum Sponsor of the Covington Police Department's 35th-Annual Fuzz Run benefitting the Covington Fuzz Run/Police Who Care, Inc. This year’s race had record attendance as the community joined together to support Covington Police Officer Matt Cooper, who was injured in the line of duty.
Newton Federal Bank, Covington, was a Platinum Sponsor of the Covington Police Department's 35th-Annual Fuzz Run benefitting the Covington Fuzz Run/Police Who Care, Inc. This year’s race had record attendance as the community joined together to support Covington Police Officer Matt Cooper, who was injured in the line of duty.

Ken Davis on Metro Atlanta CEO
Ken Davis, North Georgia Regional President for affiliate member Renasant Bank, Alpharetta, sat down with Metro Atlanta CEO and discussed the history of Renasant Bank, and the recent growth the bank has experienced across Georgia. Watch the interview.
Ken Davis, North Georgia Regional President for affiliate member Renasant Bank, Alpharetta, sat down with Metro Atlanta CEO and discussed the history of Renasant Bank, and the recent growth the bank has experienced across Georgia. Watch the interview.

Planters First Bank Launches Campaign for Cancer Research
Planters First Bank, Cordele, recently launched their Community Cares Program to help raise up to $25,000 for the American Cancer Society.
Planters First Bank, Cordele, recently launched their Community Cares Program to help raise up to $25,000 for the American Cancer Society.

ServisFirst Earns Sandler O’Neill Sm-All Stars Award
ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc., the holding company for CBA Associate Member ServisFirst Bank, has been named to the Sandler O'Neill Sm-All Stars Class of 2018. ServisFirst was one of the thirty publicly traded banks and thrifts selected among 401 depository institutions across the country with a market cap below $2.5 billion. ServisFirst has been recognized for five consecutive years for this award, which places ServisFirst in the top 7% of banks nationwide in terms of performance. Read more.
ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc., the holding company for CBA Associate Member ServisFirst Bank, has been named to the Sandler O'Neill Sm-All Stars Class of 2018. ServisFirst was one of the thirty publicly traded banks and thrifts selected among 401 depository institutions across the country with a market cap below $2.5 billion. ServisFirst has been recognized for five consecutive years for this award, which places ServisFirst in the top 7% of banks nationwide in terms of performance. Read more.

Dublin-Laurens County's Student Advisory Council
Meet the 15th Edition of Dublin-Laurens County's Student Advisory Council, Sponsored by the Citizens Bank of Laurens County. 400 plus members and going strong.
Meet the 15th Edition of Dublin-Laurens County's Student Advisory Council, Sponsored by the Citizens Bank of Laurens County. 400 plus members and going strong.
2018 Campaign for the CBA's PAC/PR Fund Update
We are pleased to announce a recent contribution to the 2018 Campaign for the CBA Political Affairs Committee and Public Relations (PAC/PR) Fund!
Special thanks to our recent contributor:
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.
We are pleased to announce a recent contribution to the 2018 Campaign for the CBA Political Affairs Committee and Public Relations (PAC/PR) Fund!
Special thanks to our recent contributor:
- FiTech Payments
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.
Atlantic Capital Bank - Atlanta Chris Stanley, Vice President of Fintech Banking, has been appointed to the Executive Committee of the MIT Enterprise Forum of Atlanta. |
Georgia Primary Bank - Atlanta Stephen Pallone has been appointed Assistant Vice President, Branch Manager. Read the press release. |
David Saylor is Owner/Co-Founder of Genesys Technology Group. Genesys assists community bankers in making wise technology decisions and encourages bankers to look at their technology holistically. A global view of your technology leverages your buying power and through solid vendor management principles you bank is better positioned to maximize the return on its technology dollar. Genesys specializes in technology evaluations and renegotiations. Genesys saves your institution time and money, thereby providing immediate impact to your bottom line. As a CBA Endorsed Member Company, Genesys will offer CBA members a 7.5% discount off its services.
For more information, contact David at david@genesystg.com or 770-729-4140, or visit www.genesystg.com.
For more information, contact David at david@genesystg.com or 770-729-4140, or visit www.genesystg.com.
![]() 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 Kristi Greer. For assistance with Corporate Events, contact Peake Wilson.
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Fourth Quarter 2018
Commercial Lending School
Monday-Friday, October 1-5 - Atlanta
2018 Branch Management Series – Session III
Leading, Developing & Engaging the Team
Thursday, October 18 - Atlanta
6th Annual Compliance Lending School
Monday-Thursday, October 22-25 – St. Simons Island
8th Annual Southeast Financial Human Resource Conference
Thursday-Friday, November 1-2 - Atlanta
2018 Branch Management Series – Session IV
Raising the Bar for Sustainable Growth
Thursday, November 8 - Atlanta
4th Quarter Compliance Program – AML / BSA
Tuesday, December 4 – Savannah
Wednesday, December 5 – Tifton
Thursday, December 6 – Macon
Monday, December 10 – Duluth
Tuesday, December 11 - Rome
Ongoing Webinars & Online Training
Webinars
Click here to view webinar listing and to register.
On-Line Training
Click here for on-line training with OnCourse Learning.
(OnCourse Learning is a CBA Endorsed Member Company)
Remainder of 2018
Fall PAC/PR Fundraising Clay Shoot
Thursday, October 4 – Mansfield/Covington
Click here to learn more about the fundraising Shotgun raffle!
You may purchase tickets by emailing Peake Wilson.
4th Quarter Banker Regulatory Forum – Compliance
Thursday, November 1 - Atlanta
2019 Julian & Jan Hester Memorial Scholarship
Reminder – the 2019 Julian & Jan Hester Memorial Scholarship Applications are now available! Bankers, get your team together and spread the word within your communities! More information can be found online.
Fall PAC/PR Fundraising Clay Shoot
Thursday, October 4 – Mansfield/Covington
Click here to learn more about the fundraising Shotgun raffle!
You may purchase tickets by emailing Peake Wilson.
4th Quarter Banker Regulatory Forum – Compliance
Thursday, November 1 - Atlanta
2019 Julian & Jan Hester Memorial Scholarship
Reminder – the 2019 Julian & Jan Hester Memorial Scholarship Applications are now available! Bankers, get your team together and spread the word within your communities! More information can be found online.
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
Commercial Lending School
Monday-Friday, October 1-5 - Atlanta
Fall Clay Shoot
Thursday, October 4 - Mansfield/Covington
Branch Management Series III: Leading, Developing, and Engaging the Team
Thursday, October 18 - Atlanta
6th Annual Compliance Lending School
Monday-Thursday, October 22-25 -
St. Simons Island
Commercial Lending School
Monday-Friday, October 1-5 - Atlanta
Fall Clay Shoot
Thursday, October 4 - Mansfield/Covington
Branch Management Series III: Leading, Developing, and Engaging the Team
Thursday, October 18 - Atlanta
6th Annual Compliance Lending School
Monday-Thursday, October 22-25 -
St. Simons Island
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