Meet Scott. Scott
Let
FEATURES
Fall 2024
2. From the President’s Desk: 2024- A Year of Service and Achievement
3. Flourish: Communication is key to mitigating fraud - Rebeca Romero Rainey
4. Clay Shoot Highlights
6. Town Hall Talk - Byron and Valdosta
8. Better Together! Celebrating Community Banking Pride and Advocacy with CBA’s 2024 T-Shirt Campaign
10. Thank You 2024 Advocacy Fund Contributors
12. 2025 Advocacy Events Preview
14. Member Benefits – Banks
16. Exploring Physical Bank Security
17. Save the Date – Connect 2025
18. Beyond the Bank: Featured BankerTerry Baker
20. Beyond the Bank: Featured Banker –Richy Everly
22. Professional Growth & Development 2025 Preview
26. Education Buzz
27. CBA Training gave us a new Friendship
28. Upcoming Programs – November & December 2024
30. Highlights – Fall Professional Development Programs
36. A Fresh Perspective FOMC’s 2025 Roster Has Some New Voters – ICBA Securities
38. Sale Leasebacks, an Efficient Capital Raise – MountainSeed
40. Innovation Spotlight - What Community Banks Need to Know About AI-Based Intelligent Automation – HuLoop
42. Get Real Growth with High-yield Deposits – Kasasa
43. 2025 Scholarships: Jan & Julian Hester | Walraven | McNair
44. 2025 Sponsorship & Advertising Opportunities
CBA’s 2024 Preferred Service Providers
CBA STAFF
John McNair President & CEO john@cbaofga.com
Lori Godfrey
Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff, Government and Regulatory Relations lori@cbaofga.com
Kristi Greer
Senior Vice President Professional Development kristi@cbaofga.com
Lindsay Greene
Senior Vice President
Member Services lindsay@cbaofga.com
Cassie Cornell
Assistant Vice President
Digital Strategy and Professional Development Marketing cassie@cbaofga.com
Becky Soto
Assistant Vice President Professional Development and LEAD Board becky@cbaofga.com
Connie Shepard
Assistant Vice President Professional Development and Member Engagement connie@cbaofga.com
Ellen Shea, CMP Director of Association Services ellen@cbaofga.com
Gwen Lanaghan Staff Accountant gwen@cbaofga.com
2024 - A Year of Service and Achievement
As President/CEO, it is easy to consider a year successful if budgetary goals are met. While CBA has consistently achieved and exceeded our budgetary targets over the past several years, this is not the only metric by which we measure success — in fact, it is not even the most important. Each year, I evaluate how effectively we served our members. With 2024 rapidly coming to an end, I am pleased to report that from a service standpoint, it has been a successful year as well.
In the area of Professional Development, CBA delivered more than 70 programs, educating over 1,300 bankers. Perhaps most noteworthy is the diverse range of offerings, which included programs on fraud, innovation, compliance, lending, cybersecurity, marketing, and executive leadership. These programs are not only benefiting community bankers in Georgia , but are also attracting participants from neighboring states. I commend the CBA Education Committee for their visionary leadership, and I could not be prouder of the CBA team for their continued flawless execution.
I have previously emphasized the importance of the reciprocal deposit legislation that CBA secured in 2019. For years, community bankers sought access to reciprocal deposit networks for municipal deposits, but collateral pledging placed community banks at a disadvantage compared to larger, often out-of-state banks. When I joined the association in October 2018, Lori Godfrey underscored the need to advocate for change. With the support of the CBA Board and our committees, we undertook this challenge. I am delighted to announce that earlier this year, over $1 billion in deposits have flowed into the reciprocal networks. This legislation has been transformative for Georgia’s community banking industry and demonstrates the critical impact of CBA’s single-constituent advocacy approach.
John McNair President & CEO Community Bankers Association of Georgia
Among the many programs and services CBA offers, I am especially proud of our work in the innovation arena. In partnership with ICBA, CBA has introduced innovative solutions and programming to Georgia’s community banks. The results speak for themselves: Georgia’s community banking sector has seen a 10% reduction in the overall efficiency ratio year-over-year. Additionally, key performance metrics such as ROAA, ROAE, NII, and NIM have improved. Having the opportunity to regularly visit banks across the state, it is inspiring to witness how many community banks are adopting new technologies, and CBA is proud to have played a role in facilitating this transition.
In closing, I would like to highlight an area I am particularly passionate about: overall wellness. CBA Wellness Solutions, launched a few years ago, centers around a flexible, scalable health insurance program that includes a captive protective funding layer. As we enter 2025, several new banks have enrolled with CBA’s health insurance program. As this initiative grows, we will continue to expand our offerings to provide bankers, partner firms, and their families with a wide range of health and wellness solutions.
Thank you for your ongoing support of CBA. We stand ready to continue to serve you in 2025 and for many years to come.
Happy Holidays!
Flourish: Communication is key to mitigating fraud
Rebeca Romero Rainey President & CEO ICBA
“By sharing information … we can stop fraud in its tracks for the benefit of our banks, customers and the industry at large.”
Cybersecurity and fraud mitigation remain significant priorities for community banks as attacks get more creative and targeted. While today’s technologies assist with anomaly detection, flagging rogue transactions and spotting those that need greater scrutiny, at the end of the day, one of the main methods of mitigating this risk is to Know Your Customer (KYC).
For community banks, saying this is like preaching to the choir. Our relationship-banking model ensures that we know who we are dealing with and what constitutes “normal” for those accounts. In fact, with the surge in check fraud, I’ve heard countless stories of community banks holding up transactions because they seem out of character, only to find out that they were looking at washed checks being pushed through the system. Many of these stories have one common denominator: big banks as the bank of first deposit.
Fraudsters have figured this out. They can go to a big bank—where they can be anonymous and where the detailed KYC present at the community bank level doesn’t happen—to open accounts with minimal effort. Those fraudulent transactions slide through. It’s an issue that’s playing out in check fraud and other areas, and we’re talking with the heads of agencies and Congress to ensure they understand the imbalance between big banks and community banks on KYC. Because true KYC requires the personal connection and relationship that community banks maintain—one that often gets lost in a larger institution.
Yet, community banks still must deal with the rise in fraud, and increasingly, communication is the best mitigation tactic. Whether it’s bankers on our check fraud task force informing our efforts, others sharing lessons learned in ICBA Community (community. icba.org) or bankers working more closely with law enforcement, communication helps us get ahead of the fraudsters.
ICBA stands ready to support those efforts. We continue to encourage community bankers to share your insights on the challenge of check fraud at checkfraud@icba.org. At the end of July, we were alerted by several members about a new form of fraud: check fraud related to home equity lines of credit. Within a day, we were able to issue a warning to community bankers and offer tips for safeguarding HELOCs.
Communication is vital, because knowledge is power. When we are aware of new scams or attacks, we can better protect our banks and customers. So, use ICBA as a facilitator of communication. By sharing information, we not only help one another fight against fraud, we can also stop fraud in its tracks for the benefit of our banks, customers and the industry at large.
The Charlie Curry Memorial Clay Shoot brought together bankers, associates, and the Curry family at the picturesque Wynfield Plantation in Albany. The event honored Charlie Curry’s lasting impact on community banking, while raising vital funds for the CBA’s advocacy efforts. Family members, including Scott & Brandi Curry, joined participants for a day of fun and friendly competition. SHAZAM was the Premier Sponsor for the event. Special thanks to all sponsors for your generous support.
Winners pictured below with Lori Godfrey, Chief of Staff and EVP of Government & Regulatory Relations at CBA.
Morning Flight – First Place Team: Joey Trice, Alex Jernigan, SHAZAM, and Dave Fain, First Port City Bank
Morning Flight – Second Place Team: Frank Griffin, Chad Little, Rich Little and Taylor Jenkins, Flint Community Bank team
Afternoon Flight – First Place Team: Cody Layer, Mason Bonner, Andrew McMath and AJ McMath
Afternoon Flight – Second Place Team: Brent Hixon, Scott Curry, Sonny Taylor, and Robert Bryant, First State Bank of Randolph County team
The Chuck Harwell Memorial Clay Shoot was held at the Burge Plantation and was an opportunity to honor the Harwell Family and raise funds for CBA’s advocacy efforts. Family members including Corey Harwell, Caleb Harwell, Robin Harwell, Raymond Harwell, Cindy Corbin and Sarah Corbin joined participants for the day.
Winners pictured below with Lori Godfrey, Chief of Staff and EVP of Government & Regulatory Relations at CBA.
Congratulations to the winners!
Chris Hodges, Cole Hodges, Michael Harrison, and Robert Harper, Bank of Wrightsville
This vibrant celebration of community, support, and competitive spirit strengthens the bonds within Georgia’s banking industry while continuing vital advocacy work.
Special thank you to everyone who participated in both shoots and to our sponsors for their amazing support
Morning Flight – First Place Team:
Morning Flight – Second Place Team: Brandon Bennett, Russ Bennett, Scott Nanney, and Tad Brownlee, River City Bank
Afternoon Flight – First Place Team: Safe Systems: Derek Wolcott, Kenneth Pittman, Mark Clemons, and Brian Abercrombie, First National Community Bank
Afternoon Flight – Second Place Team: Brian Bazemore, Brian Harrell, Eric Vickers, and Matt Fordham, The Citizens Bank of Cochran
TOWN HALL TALK
BYRON AND VALDOSTA
CBA hosted another engaging Town Hall Talk at Uncorked by Georgia Bob’s in Byron, bringing together bankers and legislators for important discussions on key issues affecting community banks and small businesses. Lori Godfrey, CBA’s EVP of Government & Regulatory Relations, emphasized the importance of grassroots advocacy, noting the valuable opportunity to connect with lawmakers. Key legislative leaders in attendance included Rep. Shaw Blackmon, Rep. Mike Cheokas, Rep. Dale Washburn, Rep. Noel Williams, and Sen. Larry Walker.
The Town Hall series, held in partnership with the NFIB, provides advocacy updates and networking opportunities, fostering deeper collaboration between banks and policymakers.
CBA’s Town Hall Talk in Valdosta was held at the Valdosta Country Club. Key legislative leaders in attendance included Rep. Chas Cannon, Sen. Russ Goodman, and Sen. Sam Watson. Discussions regarding the impact of Hurricane Helene were on top of minds for local bankers and business owners.
Special thanks to Town Hall Talk sponsors: Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta, ICBA, IntraFi, and James Bates Brannan.
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Better Together! Celebrating Community Banking Pride and Advocacy with CBA’s 2024
T-Shirt
Campaign
CBA’s 2024 Better Together t-shirt campaign was a huge success, with over 600 shirts sold to banks and supporters across the state. This initiative not only allowed bankers to show off their community banking pride but also raised funds to support advocacy efforts that protect and strengthen community banks. Designed by CBA’s LEAD Board, the one-of-a-kind t-shirt proved to be popular. A heartfelt thank you goes out to all the banks that participated, proving once again that when we come together, we can achieve great things for our industry and the communities we serve.
Dare to be different.
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THANK YOU! ADVOCACY FUND CONTRIBUTORS
CBA was created in 1969 as a way to pool community bank resources for political representation and today, we remain the state’s only advocate working solely for the interests of community banks and your customers.
Founded in 1969, CBA was established to unite community bank resources for political representation. Today, we are the only organization in the state dedicated exclusively to advocating for community banks and their customers.
First
INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS
At CBA, we must constantly build and renew relationships with legislators that understand and support community banking. Thank you to the following banks, companies and individuals for their generous contributions to CBA’s Advocacy Fund this year. Learn more on how you can support CBA’s advocacy efforts with an online contribution.
BANK/COMPANY DONATIONS
Altamaha Bank & Trust, Vidalia
American Commerce Bank, Bremen
Bank of Dawson, Dawson
Builtwell Bank, Dalton
Century Bank & Trust, Milledgeville
Colony Bank, Fitzgerald
Community Bank of Dublin - Laurens Co., Dublin
At CBA, it’s essential for us to continually foster and strengthen relationships with legislators who recognize and champion the values of community banking. We stand our gratitude to the banks, companies and individuals who have generously contributed to CBA’s Advocacy Fund this year. To find out how you can support our advocacy efforts, please consider making an online contribution.
Community Bank of Georgia, Baxley
Craft Bank, Atlanta
Durden Banking Co., Inc., Twin City
INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS
Gary Johnson, Swainsboro
Stephen Rushing, Swainsboro
Chris Acker, Bremen
Donna Barwick, Swainsboro
Brian Bazemore, Dublin
Donna Bellamy, Swainsboro
Kasey Blackburn, Pelham
Brian Bowles, Swainsboro
BANK/COMPANY DONATIONS
Engaged Banker Experience LLC, Atlanta
Exchange Bank, Milledgeville
ACG, Inc., Alpharetta GA
Agora Eversole LLC, Jackson MS
F&M Bank, Washington
AmTrust Financial Services, Cleveland OH
Nancy Brewer, Swainsboro
Jeff Cannon, Swainsboro
Soraya Kenney, Bremen
Brian Kent, Swainsboro
Dana Kirby, Swainsboro
Colby Mascaro, Swainsboro
Michael McGahee, Camilla
Milledgeville Rome
Brian Nash, Swainsboro
Atlanta
Caroline Nelson, Swainsboro
Jackie Norton, Bremen
Kyle Ray, Dalton
Timothy Redding Jr., Swainsboro
IBT Apps, Cedar Park TX
Edward Claxton, Swainsboro
Infusion, Smyrna GA
Chris Cochran, Atlanta
Jason Rooks, Albany
Lenders Cooperative, Birmingham AL
Benjamin Ross, Swainsboro
Banc Card, Nashville TN
First National Bank of Coffee Co., Douglas
First State Bank, Wrens
Bank of Camilla, Camilla GA
Georgia Primary Bank, Atlanta
Bank of Wrightsville, Wrightsville GA
Hyperion Bank, Atlanta
BDS Yarmouth & Choate, Atlanta GA
BHG Financial, Syracuse NY
King Computer Corporation, Norcross
Cash Transactions, LLC, Austell GA
Lee & Mason Financial Services, Alpharetta
College Ave Student Loans, Wilmington, DE
Legacy State Bank, Loganville
Community Bank of Georgia, Baxley GA
Guy Cochran, Swainsboro
Magnolia State Bank, Eastman GA
Stephen Rushing, Swainsboro
Metro City Bank, Doraville GA
Gay Dailey, Swainsboro
Peoples Bank, Lyons GA
Jefferson Davis IV, Swainsboro
Mike Sale, Crawford
Performance Trust, Atlanta GA
Tasha Deese, Bremen
Brian Schmitt, Atlanta
Point to Point Environmental, McDonough GA
Hayley Scott, Bremen
PrimeSouth Bank, Blackshear GA
Janine Dodds, Swainsboro
Trudy Eller, Bremen
Sidney Shepherd, Swainsboro
Gregory Sikes, Swainsboro
Small Business Assistance Corporation (SBAC), Savannah GA
Craft Bank, Atlanta GA
Newton Federal Bank, Covington
Oconee State Bank, Watkinsville
Darnel Quick Recovery, Inc., Covington GA
Durden Banking Co., Inc., Twin City GA
Peach State Bank & Trust, Gainesville
ebankIT, Roswell GA
Pineland Bank, Alma
Econocheck, Stockbridge GA
Planters First Bank, Cordele
Elliott Davis, Greenville SC
Safe Systems, Alpharetta
Farmers State Bank, Lincolnton GA
The Citizens Bank of Swainsboro, Swainsboro
FEMAC Security Solutions, Statesboro GA
First Peoples Bank, Pine Mountain GA
The Commercial Bank, Crawford
First Southern Bank, Patterson GA
The Farmers Bank, Dublin
FITECH by Deluxe, Fort Worth TX
The Peoples Bank, Willacoochee
Flint Community Bank, Albany GA
VSoft Corporation, Atlanta
Georgia Primary Bank, Atlanta GA
Gulf Coast Business Credit, Cumming GA
Hyperion Bank, Atlanta GA
Zac Frye, Swainsboro
Southern Bank Equipment & ATMs, Duluth GA
Bill Simmons, Swainsboro
Southern First Bank, Greenville SC
Milton Gray Jr., Swainsboro
William, Simmons Jr., Swainsboro
SouthState Bank, N.A., Atlanta GA
Kristi Greer, Watkinsville
STS Group, Madison AL
Jordan Griffin, Bremen
William Smalley, Swainsboro
Sugar Creek Capital, LLC, Atlanta GA
Jonathan Guthrie, Willacoochee
Mani Swarnam, Atlanta
SunMark Community Bank, Hawkinsville GA
David Tate, Bremen
Talbot State Bank, Fayetteville GA
Pam Hannah, Bremen
The Bank of Edison, Edison GA
Matt Hatchett, Swainsboro
William Taylor III, Swainsboro
The Bank of Wrightsville, Wrightsville GA
Minton Hester, Swainsboro
Kelly Toler, Swainsboro
The Farmers Bank, Greensboro GA
Jason Williams, Swainsboro
The Merchants & Citizens Bank, McRae Helena GA
Gary Johnson, Swainsboro
The Piedmont Bank, Peachtree Corners GA
Jackson Johnson, Bremen
Matthew Wood, Swainsboro
TriData Inc, Kennesaw GA
Carneage Young, Swainsboro
Troutman Pepper, Atlanta GA
G E N E R A L C O U N SEL SERVICES
T. Daniel Brannan
Atlanta Office
dbrannan@jamesbatesllp.com
Corrie E. Hall
Macon Office chall@jamesbatesllp.com
As General Counsel, our Financial Institutions team assists our clients in managing legal and regulatory exposure, training, and best practice development. Our Financial Institutions team – and our firm as a whole – has the depth of experience and resources available to assist your bank in navigating legal matters and answering questions We are directly accessible to your employees and board of directors at all times to ensure a professional, timely resolution of issues or questions. We are committed to being well-acquainted with your organization, its strategic priorities, and with your employees, shareholders, and board of directors so that we
ACCESSIBILITY
We offer all of our clients open lines of communication. We are committed to a high standard of responsiveness and to managing your matters at the pace your business runs. We employ our knowledge of your institution to internally allocate our most efficient and effective
RELATIONSHIP
As General Counsel, we want to be part of your team and a contributor to your success. As our relationship grows, we will develop an understanding of your needs, increasing our efficiency in handling your matters. We will understand your core system, ancillary software platforms, your policies and procedures, your
SERVICES OFFERED
Strategic Planning
Corporate Governance
Navigating the Regulatory Environment
Deposit Compliance
Loan Compliance
Commercial Loan Closings
Employee, Officer, and Board Training
Landlord/Tenant Representation
Employment Matters
Vendor Contract Review
wisely manage each matter in the best interests of all We also work to ensure that our knowledge of your policies, procedures, general operations, strategic goals, and higher level business plans remains up to date and that our recommendations on any issue help you implement same with best practice in mind. Our ongoing representation is designed to serve as an integrated resource for your institution, and to be a right hand on any particular topic, regardless of its scope, at any time. Our goal is to bring our skill sets, experiences, and resources alongside you, and help your bank reach its ultimate potential.
resources to ensure that our external response to you is coordinated, professional, and guided by expertise and experience. If you need us, call us. Our phone numbers are direct lines to capable, experienced attorneys, ready to make you feel like your call is to another member of your team.
management structure, and your strategic goal, which will allow us to provide you with uniquely tailored legal services. We believe in superior client service and endeavor to foster a relationship with each client that reflects this standard of excellence.
Bankruptcy Case Management
Transcription of Board Meetings
Resolution of Special Assets
Insurance Reviews
Cyber Security Assessments
Risk Management
Audit Assistance
Mergers and Acquisitions
Michael N. White Athens Office mwhite@jamesbatesllp.com
Doroteya N. Wozniak
2025 ADVOCACY EVENTS PREVIEW
CBA’s advocacy events play a vital role in advancing the interests of Georgia’s community bankers while fostering meaningful connections.
From grassroots efforts like the Town Hall Talk Tours to national representation at the ICBA Capital Summit, these events ensure community bankers’ voices are heard.
Networking gatherings such as the Topgolf Showdown, CBA Day at the Braves, and memorial clay shoots not only offer fun and camaraderie but also create strong bonds among bankers, sponsors, and policymakers, reinforcing the collective message and strengthening the industry’s presence. Looking forward to seeing you at an upcoming event.
Town Hall Talk Tours | April 2025 | 3 Locations
ICBA Capital Summit | May 12-15, 2025 | Washington, DC
Topgolf Showdown | 2 Locations: Buford - May 22, 2025 and Atlanta - November 4, 2025
3rd Annual CBA Day at the Braves Outing | July 19, 2025 | Atlanta Braves vs NY Yankees | Hank Aaron Terrace
Charlie Curry Memorial Clay Shoot - Wynfield Plantation, Albany | September 25, 2025
Chuck Harwell Memorial Clay Shoot – Burge Plantation, Mansfield | October 30, 2025
MAXIMIZE YOUR MEMBERSHIP:
BENEFITS YOUR BANK SHOULDN’T MISS
CBA Website: www.cbaofga.com
• Our website is your resource for educational, legislative, networking, publications and useful links. The member portal provides members with access to register for CBA’s events, update bank employee information, pay invoices, view upcoming registrations and more. A quick training video walks you through this helpful feature.
CBA Career Center
• CBA’s online Career Center allows members to search for candidates for their staffing needs as well as post positions. A keyword search is available to those looking for specific candidates.
CBA Today eNewsletter
• All members receive CBA Today, a weekly electronic statewide publication to keep members informed of all CBA events and banking news.
Georgia Communities First Magazine
• The magazine includes features on CBA members, education programs, industry trends, association events including conventions, financial products and services and more.
Julian & Jan Hester Scholarship
• Each year, CBA offers four annual scholarships to graduating high school students planning to attend a college, university or technical institute in Georgia.
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J. Steven Walraven Scholarship
• This annual scholarship is designed for a community bank employee planning to attend a Georgia college or university. The goal of the scholarship is to assist those employees interested in furthering their education to enhance their career.
McNair Family Scholarship
• The McNair Family Scholarship recognizes and honors the achievements of Nicholas (Nick) R. Cimino. The scholarship is awarded once per year to an adult learner who is currently employed at a Georgia community bank and plans to work towards an associate, bachelors, or trade degree.
Complimentary Legal Services
• CBA’s partnership with James-Bates-Brannan-Groover-LLP offers expanded services to CBA member banks. The CBA Legal Hotline makes it easy for CBA member banks to submit a legal question to the JBBG community bank practice group. CBA members can simply call the hotline at (404) 844-2765 or click here.
Lifetime Service Awards
• Each year, CBA honors bankers reaching a milestone of 30, 40 or 50 years in the community banking industry. Additionally, CBA will honor those who are planning to retire in this calendar year with 30 or more years of service in the community banking industry.
Banker Regulatory Forum
• Discuss the latest regulatory issues in the banking industry in these quarterly meetings with regulators from the Federal Bank of Atlanta, FDIC, Department of Banking and Finance (DBF), and Office of the Comptroller of Currency (OCC).
Regulatory Review & Action Alerts
• A guide to various proposed and final regulations affecting Georgia’s community banking industry.
SECURING YOUR BRANCH AND ATMS: EXPERT INSIGHTS ON PHYSICAL BANK SECURITY
Maintaining the safety and security of bank branches and ATMs is an evolving challenge in today’s banking landscape. As technology advances and threats become more sophisticated, banks must stay ahead with the latest security measures. To shed light on current trends and emerging strategies, CBA reached out to two of our Preferred Service Providers, ACG and STS Group. These experts shared insights into new developments, innovative tools, and the future of physical security in banking—helping banks protect their assets, staff, and customers more effectively.
Adam Stephens, Chief Development Officer at STS Group in Madison, AL, shared “Bank security trends in the physical realm are evolving with the integration of advanced surveillance and alarm systems. At STS Group, we see our customers increasingly upgrading their analog cameras to high-definition video surveillance systems capable of being equipped with facial recognition and AI-powered analytics. These systems can not only monitor bank premises but also detect suspicious behavior in real time, enabling quicker responses to potential threats.”
According to Adam, enhanced camera technology provides clearer images and wider coverage, reducing blind spots and making it easier to track movements both inside and outside bank facilities. These video systems can be integrated with our monitoring center, allowing security personnel to monitor multiple locations simultaneously.
“In addition, alarm systems have also seen advancements with the adoption of smart technology. We are using sophisticated alarm systems that can detect a variety of threats, from unauthorized access to tampering with vaults or ATMs. These alarms enable remote monitoring and management and can send immediate alerts to security teams and law enforcement. Additionally, we see more and more of our customers incorporating access control systems, such as biometric scanners and keycard systems, to limit entry to sensitive areas. The combination of advanced video surveillance and alarm systems – such as STS N-Sight – along with improved access control, our bank customers have created a more layered and responsive physical security environment for their organization.”
Longtime CBA partner Phil Winn, President of ACG in Alpharetta, stated, “Securing your assets has always been about delaying, detecting and responding to attackers. Physical security such as safes, vaults and security gates delay
and possibly stop the success of attackers. Electronic security and software updates are utilized to prevent and detect the attacks. Ensuring proper alarm reporting allows law enforcement to respond quickly. A fourth factor when considering security is utilizing security products that are visible to the attackers. This acts as a great deterrent and the criminals go elsewhere. Adding security layers is important in protecting your assets but does add operational inconvenience and expense for any financial
institution.”
Finding the proper balance can be discovered by engaging your security provider to fully understand your options. Often this engagement includes a site survey. ACG has provided a few considerations to review which include:
Island ATM Security Gates: Physical attacks on ATMs have risen with the current economic times and increased criminal activity. There is an increase in ATMs being pulled from the island with a “hook and chain” method. A security gate which sits in front of the ATM is a highly effective deterrent and significantly reduces the risk of an attack, as criminals are more likely to target a less secure ATM.
Anti-Skimming Technology: Criminals steal card data with two common methods. They place an overlay on an ATM bezel, or they place technology in the card reader slot (“deep insert skimming”). There is technology to assist/stop these attacks. Having personnel check for overlay skimmers often is also good procedure.
Branch:
• Secure branches using access control.
• Update surveillance systems and ensure you have 90 days of camera footage.
• Ensure all alarms are working and tested routinely.
• Develop a safety and security plan within each branch.
• Ensure your alarm is communicating through a cellular device.
• Set alarm notifications for your branch leadership.
ATM to prevent jackpotting and secure the vault:
• Ensure your ATM hood and vault have monitored alarms.
• Install an ATM security gate.
• Change the ATM BIOS password.
• Confirm you have the latest level of ATM software and dispenser is set to the highest level of security.
• Confirm with your network that TLS 1.2 encryption/ communication is utilized. This assists greatly in preventing “man in the middle” attacks.
With these considerations in mind and a consultation with your security provider, you will be able to document your current
Beyond the Bank Terry Baker From Vaults to Vintage: A
Banker’s Passion for Restoring Coke Machines
Most people know Terry Baker, Executive Vice President, Peach State Bank & Trust, Gainesville, through banking, where he is the Senior Lending Officer with a team of ten commercial lenders. What some don’t know is a different side through his nostalgic hobby of restoring vintage Coke machines and other antique pieces. Terry was kind enough to share about his cool hobby.
How did you get started restoring vintage Coke machines, antique pieces, gasoline pumps, clocks, etc.?
I have mainly been collecting and restoring Coke machines from the 1940’s and 1950’s as well as collecting soda signs from the same time period. I purchased my first machine when my kids were little to put in our basement. My kids thought it was really cool to drink the Cokes from a glass bottle just as I did when I was their age. I can remember riding with my Dad to the hardware store when I was a kid. They had a pull bottle Coke machine in the store, and I always got a Coke while he made his purchases.
One machine purchase led to the 2nd and now I have six soda vending machines, two ice cooler Coke boxes and about 10 picnic soda coolers. I have also added a number of metal soda signs from the 40’s and 50’s to decorate the basement of my house. It is a cool hangout place the kids and hopefully my grandkids once they are a little older.
How long does it take you to do a typical restoration?
A typical restoration starts with the right purchase. I usually look for a machine from the early 1960’s or older that is complete and has the original factory paint. Parts for these machines are readily available but are quite expensive. I will take the machine completely apart, sand the metal interior parts and repaint them, replace rubber gaskets, rewire the cooling system, add new insulation, reassemble and polish the exterior paint. My favorite machines are the ones that have a few bumps and bruises on them and show the true age of the machine. I do have others that are completely repainted on the exterior and interiors are fully restored. This entire process will take me about two months to complete depending on the extent of the restoration. It is a fun process of trial and error and self teaching to get all the way through the process.
What’s your favorite piece? Most challenging?
My favorite model machine is the Vendo 56 pull bottle Coke machine from the mid 1950’s. It is the smallest pull bottle Coke machine that was manufactured. My favorite picnic cooler in the collection is a stainless-steel picnic cooler that is stamped TWA on the top (Trans World Airways) from the 1940’s. This small handheld cooler was filled with Cokes and used to serve passengers on TWA flights.
What’s your latest project and what are you looking to add to your collection?
I am currently working on a 1940’s Stoner Candy machine. These machines were used in theaters, barber shops etc. and would have a selection of six types of candy. I am in the process of putting the machine back together now. The machine has about 300 parts to it!! This is going to be a challenge to get this one back into operation, but I am sure I will get there.
At this point, my basement is pretty full, but I am always looking for metal/porcelain Coca Cola button signs from the 1940’s and 1950’s.
Any similarities in this hobby to what you do at the bank?
Banking and restorations do have similarities. I would say both are aligned with persistence, perseverance and determination. I knew nothing about banking or soda machine restoration, but these three traits continue to get me through.
Beyond the Bank Richy Everly Keeping the Beat:
How a Banker Finds Rhythm on and off the Stage
Meet Richy Everly, President & CEO, The Bank of Wrightsville and former CBA Chair. You might find it surprising to learn that in addition to running his community bank, Richy also plays drums in a rock and roll band with a group of childhood friends called The Flashbacks.
“It’s always been interesting for me to see the reactions from folks who only know me as a banker when they realize that I’m playing drums and singing in a rock and roll band…it’s a true dichotomy for sure,” shared Richy. Thank you Richy for answering a few questions so we can learn more!
How long have you been playing drums?
I knew that I wanted to play the drums from an early age after seeing live bands at different events in my hometown of Dublin. However, I didn’t buy my first set of drums until I was about 21 years old and taught myself how to play. That was 40 years ago.
How did you and your friends first start the band?
All of my bandmates were already seasoned musicians who were already playing in other local bands around Dublin, Milledgeville, Athens, and Atlanta. Eventually, when I gained the confidence to play in front of my friends, they decided I was good enough to play with them. We started practicing and put some setlists together and began playing parties, clubs, and other events.
What genre of music do you play?
Although we consider ourselves to be primarily a “Classic Rock” band (Beatles, Stones, CCR, ZZ Top, Allman Brothers, Guess Who, Eagles, Bob Seger, Tom Petty, Pink Floyd), we actually have a fairly eclectic setlist of songs that we draw from that includes everything from Little Richard to Johnny Cash to Motown to more contemporary bands such as Matchbox 20, Goo Goo Dolls, Collective Soul, Foo Fighters, and Blackberry Smoke, so we can be as diverse as we need to be based upon the venue and crowd.
What do you think has kept the band together all these years?
First and foremost, we have a brotherhood that extends beyond the band. We and our spouses would still be friends and hang out together even if we didn’t play in a band together. There’s something very cathartic and satisfying about creating music that appeals to us all and that’s what keeps us going forward.
Do you write your own songs, perform covers or both? And share the types of events where we might find The Flashbacks. Through the years, we have played everything from private parties, nightclubs, corporate/civic events, and outdoor festivals. We write our own songs but typically perform covers.
Most requested song?
It really depends on the venue and crowd, but for some reason, Play That Funky Music by Wild Cherry seems to always come up as a request for us to play.
Favorite song of yours to play?
Wow!! That’s like trying to choose your favorite child, but if I had to choose, I’d say either Slide by Goo Goo Dolls or 6th Avenue Heartache by The Wallflowers.
Any similarities in this hobby to what you do at the bank?
I’d say yes because if everyone at the bank and in the band prepares themselves properly, it’s no big deal to be able to work/play together “in concert” well enough to make people happy that they came to see you.
We provide CRA Education & Training, CRA Support Services, the CRA Collaborative Peer Group, and CRA compliance programs that create safe living environments for older adults, while earning CRA Credit for banks.
BUILD YOUR TRAINING CALENDAR
2025 PREVIEW
BSA: AML/CFT BSA: AML/CFT RAP 02/20/25 Macon
BSA: AML/CFT BSA: AML/CFT Fundamentals 4/8-10/2025 Macon-JBBG Offices & Live STREAM
BSA: AML/CFT Advanced BSA: AML/CFT 8/18-22/2025 Omni Amelia Island
BSA: AML/CFT BSA: AML/CFT RAP 12/04/25 Macon
Compliance TRID Review 01/29/25
Compliance Q1 COMPLIANCE: CRA 02/05/25 Macon
Compliance Q1 COMPLIANCE: CRA 02/06/25 Tifton
Compliance Compliance Spring Summit Spring Cleaning & Hot Topics 3/3-5/2025 Westin - Jekyll
Compliance Banker Regulatory Forum/Compliance RAP 04/16/24
Compliance P1: Compliance Specialist Certificate 4/29-30/2025
Compliance Q2 COMPLIANCE: 1071 Small Business Data 05/07/25
Compliance Q2 COMPLIANCE: 1071 Small Business
Compliance
Compliance
Functional
Leadership Community Bank Leadership Academy Session 2 4/22-23/2025 Macon
Leadership Marketing Roundtable 05/06/25 TBA
Leadership HR & Talent Development Conference 5/7-9/2025 Jekyll Island
Leadership Executive Leadership Advancement 2 05/21/25 Macon
Leadership LEAD ON June
Leadership HR RAP 2 07/18/25
Leadership
Leadership
Leadership HR RAP 3 10/24/25
Leadership Executive Leadership Advancement 3 11/18/25
Leadership HR RAP 4 12/05/25
Education Buzz: Relationships!
Are you a relationship builder? How do you define successful personal and business relationships? What strategies do your bank employees implement to gain beneficial stakeholder relationships? What characteristics do you personally contribute to being a great relationship builder?
Networking, connecting, conversations, embracing diversity, sharing appreciation, showing respect, collaborating, listening, following through, communicating effectively, and investing time in others are just a few thoughts to consider.
Join us in reading this cool story of two bankers building a relationship at CBA professional development events.
Kristi Greer
Senior Vice President Director of Professional Development Community Bankers Association of Georgia
CBA TRAINING GAVE US A NEW FRIENDSHIP
The final session of 2024 Community Bank Leadership Academy (CBLA) might be over, but the connections made will last for years to come. This is especially true for Noah Autrey of Family Bank and Caleb Mason of The Commercial Bank who attended this year’s class. Attending Georgia Southern University, owning Boykin Spaniels, and banking are just a few of the things that they have in common.
The first class I attended as a new banker was the Lending bootcamp back in October 2023. Like the first day of class in school you try to find a friend to talk to and connect with. I met Noah, a one-of-a-kind guy that was in a similar role as me. We started a conversation and realized that we had gone to the same college and lived only a few miles from each other in Statesboro. I never knew that I would become such good friends with someone in such a short amount of time. We exchanged information and have been in contact ever since!
Caleb is a true friend and I’m thankful that the CBA has helped us to establish this connection at such an early moment in our careers. Many people have told me how important it is to make connections wherever you can, because those relationships are the ones that you can turn to for questions or advice. With so much in common, it’s been great to have a friend like Caleb who is working in such a similar environment. After meeting at lending bootcamp, Caleb and I stayed in contact about attending CBLA 2024, but we had no idea that we would be the only guys in the class. This was such an amazing experience!
Throughout our sessions at CBLA 2024 it was encouraging to have colleagues tell us that they could see our determination to succeed and how those attributes will pay off over the course of our careers. We are aspiring leaders that want to see our communities thrive through our jobs! We know that there will be times when we do not feel like we have met our goals as a banker and as a person. The most important thing to remember in times like this is that it is a learning process and that you learn from your mistakes and the difficult times. The CBA has taught us that leadership is a daily walk. You must adapt to lead those around you. The motto that I go by is that you strive to be 1% better than the day you were before. Never let a bad moment turn into a bad day.
At CBLA 2024, we had the opportunity to learn from April Farlow & Kristi Greer. They both provided impactful teaching that has helped shape me into the banker that I am now. One of the things we learned in our final session was the importance of “progress over perfection.” This is such a crucial lesson for us as we grow in our careers. It’s important that we strive for excellence, but we also know that leaders are not made overnight. There is power in
doing the little things right and consistently striving for positive progress. We also were able to soak up knowledge from our colleagues, many of whom are seasoned banking professionals. The relationships made in this class were strengthened across all four sessions as we were challenged to step out of our comfort zones and grow our leadership skills.
Community Banking is an industry that many are not familiar with. Personal connections and relationships are the foundation of the bank. The CBA has led me to meet many great people and grow my knowledge of banking. This organization offers many beneficial tools to each department of your bank. From studying finance in college, I am one that always looks at the return on investment. We both believe that the investment that the bank has made in us will shine in the future as we will grow in our roles and continue to lead others.
We are grateful to Family Bank and The Commercial Bank for their willingness to invest in us through events like the Leadership Academy. Without this investment, the knowledge we have gained and connections we have made might never have been possible!
Caleb Mason Commercial Lender
The Commercial Bank
Noah Autrey Loan Assistant Family Bank
NOVEMBER & DECEMBER
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
HMDA Workshop
The Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, Regulation C, is one of the most difficult regulations to understand with so many gray areas. Attend this workshop to help you understand common errors and how to avoid costly mistakes.
November 21
Instructor: Kristin Harville
The Many Faces of Fraud & Regulation E: Liability & Prohibited Practices
• December 10 in Macon
• December 11 in Tifton
Instructor: Leah Hamilton
What does compliance expert, Leah Hamilton, have to say about trends and best practices for fraud prevention and compliance in the community banking industry? Compliance professionals can aid in the recognition of fraudulent activities, stay up to date on regulatory requirements, and implement internal controls to mitigate the risk of fraud.
Closing SBA loans keeps doors open.
Small businesses count on your expertise. You can count on ours.
Your customers have never needed capital more than they do right now. Plus you need to offset narrowing margins by increasing noninterest fee income. SBA and USDA lending is the perfect answer. And ICBA recommends just one provider to make the process hassle-free: Holtmeyer & Monson. Give customers exactly what they need, at no net cost to your bank.
Roundtable Advice for Professional Development
CBA’s R.A.P. sessions give our bankers opportunities to network and hear from other bankers in their same job function. CBA offers a variety of these professional development opportunities.
• ISO-Information Security November 19
• Bank Secrecy Act
December 5
• Human Resources/Talent Development
December 6
Non-brokered CD Deposits CD Investing Contingency Funding
External Loan Review Services
Internal Loan Review Tool
Portfolio Analysis
Loan Level Credit Stress Test
Document Review Services
Due Diligence Services
Other Credit Consulting
HIGHLIGHTS FALL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
Tech Talk – North
Bankers and partner firms came together for Tech Talk North held November 6 & 7 at the ICBA Innovation offices in Atlanta. The program featured interactive roundtables, a host of presenters and rapid-fire presentations from fintechs offering solutions for community banks. The day included:
• Innovation Journey - Progress & Challenges - Chris Stanley & Christian Ruppe
• Unlocking Innovation in Banking: Insights from Kim Kirk
• AI and Big Data - Neil Desai
• Innovation Pitches
• Group Interactive Discussions
• Community Bank Innovation Update - Kristina Morris
• Emerging Payments & Open Banking - Manish Nathwani
• Future-Ready Compliance and Governance: Strategies for Innovation Success - Zach Duke
• Innovation Pitches
• Roundtable Discussions
• Call for Action
Mark your calendar for Tech Talk South, March 26, 2025, and Tech Talk North, November 6, 2025.
At Stokes Carmichael & Ernst LLP, we have been bringing “The Power of Legal Knowledge®” to the challenges faced by the financial community in the areas of credit and collections, banking litigation, fraudulent conveyance litigation, bankruptcy representation, defense of lawsuits, and loan workouts since we opened in 1972. Our clients appreciate the “Real World Legal Solutions®” that we bring to the myriad legal matters facing banks today. We welcome the opportunity to put our experience to work for you. Please contact us to discuss how we can help you optimize recoveries for your bank.
Stokes Carmichael & Ernst LLP scelaw.com | mje@scelaw.com 404.352.1465 x441
Advanced BSA: AML/CFT Officer School
One of CBA’s premier professional development events is the annual Advanced BSA school. In August, almost 100 people gathered on Amelia Island Resort & Hotel for a weeklong school. Participants have continued raving about the results of the learning experience from sharing their stories about networking, key takeaways, actions they are taking to implement resources they gained from the valuable education.
Why do our member banks choose CBA’s school?
• Take aways – bankers leave with lots of tools and resources sound Bank Secrecy Act policy.
• We receive expert knowledge that enables you to audit internal procedures
• We get to network and learn from your peers
• And more.
www.strunkaccess.com
info@strunkaccess.com
800.728.3116
On September 11 – September 13, leadership bankers gathered in the historic city of Savannah for the highly anticipated LEAD On Retreat. The event provided a unique opportunity for bankers and bank partners to come together, share insights, and enhance their leadership skills. Attendees were treated to an engaging session led by April Farlow, who shared invaluable leadership skills, coaching techniques and change management tips that are essential in today’s financial landscape. Her expertise inspired participants to embrace change and foster a culture of continuous improvement personally and within their organization.
In addition to leadership development, the retreat featured a compelling discussion on Community Bank Advocacy and governmental relations, led by industry experts Lori Godfrey with CBA and Jack Coleman with ICBA. Their insights into navigating the complexities of governmental relations and building strong relationships with policymakers were particularly beneficial for attendees as CBA works to enhance their influence in the banking sector.
The combination of these sessions equipped participants with practical tools and resources to drive positive changes in their respective organizations. Overall, the LEAD On Retreat was a resounding success, leaving participants inspired and ready to im plement their newfound knowledge in their professional journeys.
Bankers work to Mitigate Fraud Risk
On October 9, CBA’s Education Chair, Linda Smith, Embassy National Bank kicked off the Fraud Guard Prevention education by encouraging bankers to listen, share and create action steps to support mitigating fraud.
David Maimon, SentiLink made our eyes open wide as he showed lots of actual fraudster videos that are posted on social media of the tactics, they are using to steal information and sell data on the dark web.
Erin Woodside, James-Bates-Brannon-Groover, outlined clear definitions of check fraud types and the difference between an altered and counterfeit check which is important for knowing the legal obligations for the banks effected.
Peter Leary, U.S. Dept of Justice and FBI Special Agent shared practical insights on identifying and preventing fraudulent activities. Bankers learned about solutions by listing two pitches from two companies, Allison and Nasdaq Verafin. Our program wrapped up with valuable conversations and details of actual fraud stories that bankers experienced.
Going Fur ther.
Travelers and the ICBA celebrate 40 years of partnership and $75M+ of Policyholder Safety Group Dividends
Add a professional designation to your signature line! Check out ICBA’s Education opportunities and certification programs!
Completing training with your community banker’s association, yes; that’s us, gives you a chance to earn continuing education credits that align with these professional certifications.
Certifications (icba.org)
When selecting to register for a ICBA Education, please use our state association code. Using the code will alert ICBA to give back to Georgia through our alliance in supporting the community banking industry.
State Association Code: GA-CBA
Our annual Cyber Risk summit was held in October this year due to the hurricane season this year. The summit allowed our bankers to have roundtable discussions around business continuity stories, lessons and ‘wish we had’ tools because of the hurricanes that have affected our banks recently. “What an awesome program full of subject matter, networking and resources that our IT professionals can use to support the prevention of cyber fraud. We are thankful to serve our industry with ongoing training that increases awareness.” Kristi Greer, CBA of GA
The summit Highlights & lessons learned include:
• Cyber security is every banker’s job.
• A key principle of governance includes board and senior management setting the tone from the top.
• Bankers should remain vigilant and implement measures to protect data at every point of contact.
• It is important to maintain a culture of cyber awareness and security.
• Enabling multi-factor authentication is a must.
• How does AI support or harm Cybersecurity.
• Participants examined AI policy examples to consider implementing.
• Regulators from each agency shared the latest Hot Topics.
• Lessons from Cyber Risk Insurance implications.
• Discovered why and how of building a succession plans for the ISO role.
• Communicating fundamentals in response to an incident.
• And more.
This education opportunity continues to provide valuable content and tools to support our industry.
We would like to thank our sponsors for their support.
The exhibitors shared resources to support our community bankers.
Join us in October 2025 for the next Cyber Risk Summit.
A fresh perspective FOMC’s 2025 roster has some new voters.
While we in the financial services sector start thinking about monetary policy in the coming year, there’s a new wrinkle to consider. Many Fed-watchers, rate prognosticators, economists and even investors had been betting on substantially lower rates in 2025 for many months. It looked like the corner had been turned with the 50 basis-point (0.50%) cut to fed funds on September 18. Almost immediately thereafter, persistently strong economic data caused members of the Federal Reserve Board to at least orally tamp down market expectations for aggressive cutting in the near future.
The “wrinkle” is the makeup of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) next year. The people who actually cast a vote for our central bank’s monetary policy is a subset of the entire Federal Reserve Board. The FOMC consists of 12 members from two separate groups. The seven governors—who are nominated by the U. S. President and confirmed by the Senate and include Chairman Jay Powell—vote at each of the meetings. The remaining five members are, most of the time, an annually rotating set of regional Federal Reserve district presidents elected by their constituents.
New for 2025
Next year, the five regional bank presidents on the committee are:
John Williams New York
Austan Goolsbee Chicago
Susan Collins Boston
Alberto Musalem St. Louis
Jeff Schmid Kansas City
The New York Fed president is the only permanently-voting member in the group. The Fed’s open market operations, which is where rubber meets the road on interest rates, are conducted through the New York bank, and hence the permanent spot on the FOMC.
The other four are perhaps wild cards, at least as Fed-watchers are concerned. Susan Collins has voted for only one year since her election in 2022; the same goes for Austan Goolsbee in 2023. The other two have not yet voted, given their elections since 2022. So, these voters will have their words and actions very closely parsed for “dovish” or “hawkish” leanings relative to interest rates.
But let’s not oversell the impact: The votes at the conclusion of the FOMC’s meetings are usually unanimous. I can’t think of the last time there was more than one dissenting vote. It’s also true that the other seven regional bank presidents who are not voters in a given year participate in the discussions and deliberations. Still, it’s unusual for the FOMC to have this number of voters with little or no track record.
Tools in the shed
Now that we’ve had a refresher course, let’s talk about what the Fed can do regarding interest rates, which certainly have direct impact on community bank profitability. The most visible (and talked about) rate is fed funds, which is what financial institutions
Jim Reber President & CEO ICBA Securities
charge one another for overnight borrowings. The Fed controls that rate through the setting of reserve requirements; if it wants Fed Funds to drop, it decreases the level of reserves required in the system, thereby freeing up more money to be lent and invested.
It also runs the discount window as part of its mission of being the “lender of last resort.” Fed members, including community banks, have access to these short-term borrowing which can help manage liquidity risk, especially during times of market disruptions. The discount rate is set by the Fed and highly correlated to fed funds.
Not least among its kit is the open market operations mentioned previously. If the Fed decides it needs to impact interest rates that have longer terms that money markets, it has capacity to invest vast sums in securities to bring down costs of borrowing. In doing so, the Fed effectively subsidizes all manner of debtors: consumers, homeowners, corporations, municipalities and even the largest borrower on earth: the federal government. Never was this more visible than the early stages of the COVID pandemic, when the Fed purchased over $4 trillion in treasuries and mortgage-backed securities—most of which it still owns— in 2020 alone.
Current forecast
As we get ready to close out another year, what do the financial markets expect in 2025? This time last year, around 175 basis points in rate cuts were in the 2024 futures numbers. Perhaps because of that (i. e., grossly overestimating the decrease in fed funds), the U. S. economy’s impressive resilience, and inflation’s refusal to get back into its 2% box, we’re still singing from the “higher for longer” hymnal.
But that should bode well for community banks. It appears that cost of funds has finally started to level off as the effects of the first rate cut take hold. Overall, borrower financial health appears to be holding up, so loan demand should be at least average. And maybe, if the interest rate curve ever returns to a normal slope, community bankers can get back to pricing relative risk into their balance sheets. Perhaps the first lap for several new FOMC voters will be steady as she goes. * * * * *
Jim Reber (jreber@icbasecurities. com) is president and CEO of ICBA Securities, ICBA’s institutional, fixed-income broker-dealer for community banks.
Is your community bank bond portfolio performing?
Meet Jim.
Jim
Sale Leasebacks, an Efficient Capital Raise
Financial Merits
Sale Leasebacks (“SLB”) enable users of CRE, including financial institutions, to access equity capital in a non-dilutive manner through selling depreciated real estate. For financial institutions, the ability to unlock capital gains/equity and generate cash is uniquely advantageous since the new capital can be levered and redeployed on the balance sheet. Examples of financial benefits include:
• Raise equity capital
• Restructure investment portfolios
• Generate future net income
• Pay down borrowings
• Fuel M&A
• Stock buyback
• Subordinated debt alternative
SLB vs Outright Ownership
SLBs have been used by a variety of users of CRE to control real estate capital efficiently. Long term extension options are available and there is an underappreciated optionality value in a SLB as the user can “put” properties to the Landlord at the end of the lease term.
Many financial institutions are concerned about the non-financial impact of a SLB:
• Will I lose control of my buildings? MountainSeed leases are absolute NNN leases, enabling the tenant to maintain operational control.
• What happens if I want to do tenant improvements (TI)? Tenants can complete TI projects without requirements for approval. In the event of large-scale renovations which would necessitate pulling permits, notices are required.
• How will the community respond? With private institutions the transaction need not be disclosed. Public institutions are required to disclose, and MountainSeed conducted a thorough analysis of deposit levels and funding costs pre and post transaction closing. The findings indicated there is no causal relationship between disclosing a SLB and movement in deposits.
Whit Collmus
Sale Leaseback Acquisitions
The Accounting Impetus
The key to a SLB is the ability to recognize capital gain on day 1. This has not always been the case, but when FASB replaced ASC 840 with ASC 842 in 2019, the SLB shifted in strategic value. The change was the ability to recognize the capital gain immediately rather than over the term of the lease, provided it is an armslength transaction, no contractual tenant reversion obligation, and the net present value (NPV) of lease payments do not exceed the purchase price.
Lease terms available in the market vary, but the most common questions include:
• What happens at the end of the initial 15-year term? Can I extend? Institutions often elect to have extension periods at the end of the initial term exercisable at tenant’s option.
• What are extension options? Typically, 15 years, but may be tailored to tenant’s need.
• Can I sublease part of my buildings? Provisions may allow for subleases.
How can I learn more?
MountainSeed is the nation’s most active investor in the bank/credit union SLB market, and their unique approach is best described as credit first and real estate collateral second. MountainSeed prioritizes the strength of the credit and then pays a purchase price in the highest fair market value range, which delivers the greatest gain on sale.
Innovation Spotlight - What Community Banks Need to Know About AI-Based Intelligent Automation
As the banking industry evolves, Georgia’s community banks are facing new challenges and opportunities. From regulatory pressures to customer expectations, staying competitive requires banks to leverage new technology. AI-based intelligent automation is helping community banks transform operations and drive efficiency – all while improving the customer experience.
Understanding AI-Based Intelligent Automation
AI-based intelligent automation streamlines complex processes and workflows, making them faster, more efficient and more accurate. It includes capabilities such as Robotic Process Automation, Workflow Orchestration, Intelligent Document Processing and Process Mining. For community banks, these capabilities offer more than just reducing manual workload. They are creating opportunities to enhance customer interactions, streamline compliance, and enabling employee teams to focus on high-value tasks that directly impact growth.
AI-based intelligent automation, for example, can optimize back-office accounting functions, loan processing, treasury management, and fraud detection, while also improving frontline services such as customer inquiries and personalized product recommendations and onboarding.
Real-World Benefits for Community Banks
1.
Enhanced Customer Experience
Community banks have always thrived by offering a personal touch that larger institutions struggle to match. AI-based intelligent automation can amplify this strength by enabling tailored, realtime responses to customer needs. For example, digital workers (bots) are powered by AI and can handle basic inquiries around the clock – freeing up staff to focus on more complex interactions. This ensures that customers receive timely service without sacrificing the human connection that community banks are known for.
Furthermore, automation can be used to aggregate customer data to anticipate needs and recommend products, such as personalized loan offers or financial planning advice. This allows community banks to deepen relationships with their customers, enhancing loyalty and engagement.
2.
Streamlined Compliance and Risk Management
Compliance is a significant challenge and responsibility for community banks, especially as regulations evolve. Manually managing these processes is time-consuming and errorprone. AI-based intelligent automation can be used to monitor transactions and flag suspicious activities, making it easier for banks to meet regulatory requirements without adding extra burdens on staff.
By automating routine compliance checks and documentation, banks can ensure that nothing slips through the cracks. Additionally, automations can be created to help identify emerging risks, allowing banks to act proactively. This not only reduces the potential for regulatory fines but also safeguards the bank’s reputation
Todd Michaud, CEO, HuLoop Automation todd@huloop.ai
3. Improved Operational Efficiency
Community banks are often constrained by tight budgets and limited staff. AI-based intelligent automation can optimize back-office processes, making operations more efficient and cost-effective. Tasks such as loan underwriting, document verification, and account reconciliation can be automated, reducing processing time and improving accuracy.
For example, instead of manually reviewing every loan application, an AI-powered system can quickly assess applications and other documents based on predefined criteria, flagging those that need further human review. This reduces bottlenecks and accelerates decision-making, leading to faster loan approvals and improved customer satisfaction.
The Road Ahead: Starting the Journey
Community banks in Georgia have a unique opportunity to blend their tradition of customer-centric service with the power of AIbased intelligent automation. By starting with small, targeted projects—such as automating customer service inquiries or streamlining loan processing—banks can see immediate benefits while building a foundation for broader transformation.
It’s essential to view AI-based intelligent automation not as a replacement for the personal touch, but as an enabler. With the right approach, community banks can continue to provide the personalized service they’re known for, while leveraging the power of AI automation to operate more efficiently and compete in an increasingly digital world.
For community bankers ready to take the next step, partnering with an experienced automation provider can make all the difference. By embracing AI-based intelligent automation, Georgia’s community banks can not only keep pace with change but lead the way in providing exceptional service to their customers.
Get Real Growth with High-yield Deposits
If you’re like many banks, you’ve been offering 0% free checking and using CDs to drive deposits. But what if you turned that approach on its head and used highyield checking accounts to drive deposits?
Like water flows downhill, deposits flow to the highest rate. When consumers inevitably ask, “What’s your best rate?” will they be more delighted to hear the answer is a high-yield checking account or a CD? Clearly, consumers will prefer the checking account.
After all, who doesn’t like more liquidity?
But there’s a giant advantage for you as well. These deposits will cost much less and will come from people who give the name of your institution as the answer to “Where do you bank?” Now, those are the kinds of deposits that you want.
CDs can bring in deposits, but not real growth.
CDs are a great way to bring in fast cash, but they don’t help with your long-term growth goals. You can offer better rates than CDs and build a relationship with the consumer. High-yield checking accounts are stickier and create deposits that last.
That doesn’t mean you should abandon CDs altogether. For many institutions, they remain an important part of their portfolios.
A 6% promoted rate doesn’t mean a 6% cost.
Now, we aren’t suggesting that 6% is right for every institution. A variety of factors must be considered, and each institution is different. But there are many institutions at 6% (and higher) and hundreds running high-yield checking as their highest-rate product. This is a proven idea that works. Let’s see how.
First and foremost, you get to decide the activities that will help your institution become the primary financial institution, including choosing e-statements over mailed statements, a minimum number of debit card transactions, and/or setting up direct deposit.
For example, the more ACH transactions an institution has with a consumer, the more likely they are to keep that consumer. If your electric bill comes out of your checking account, you’re going to make sure that there’s always money in that account. This product design incentivizes the consumer to think of this as their main account and become the default card for their digital payments.
Alisha Crafton Chief Growth Officer Kasasa www.kasasa.com
Choose the structure that works for you and your account holders.
If account holders don’t meet the qualifying criteria, no problem. They’re informed why they did not qualify and simply earn the published base rate perhaps 0.5% and the account remains free. No bait and switch.
This type of account inverts the typical rate structure since the high, promoted rate is paid on the portion of balances below a certain cap. Any portion of balances above the cap earns a much lower rate. The size of the cap has a tremendous impact on the average balance and allows you to predictably grow deposits to achieve a blended rate that significantly reduces the cost of funds (COF).
Are you ready to experience real growth?
Banks that still rely on traditional methods of increasing deposits tend to suffer from deposit runoff, increasing COF, and cannibalization of low-cost core deposits into CDs — and they feel the squeeze on margin.
High-yield checking accounts allow you to entice consumers with an attention-grabbing promoted rate AND create a long-term relationship while lowering your overall cost by a substantial amount.
Happy consumers. Happy institutions. Win-win.
2025 SCHOLARSHIPS: JAN & JULIAN HESTER |
What is the Julian & Jan Hester Memorial Scholarship?
The goal of the Julian & Jan Hester Memorial Scholarship is to assist deserving high school seniors in their first year of college and to promote community banking. All Georgia high school seniors are eligible to compete for this scholarship if they are planning to enter a Georgia university, college, or technical institute (two-year program or more) in the fall semester of 2025, following their high school graduation (applicant must be a fulltime student). Each year, CBA awards four (4) $1,000 scholarships.
See the Hester Scholarship page for the student application, bank application and FAQ’s.
Applications should be returned to the bank by April 4, 2025.
Applications due to CBA by April 11, 2025.
What is the J. Steven Walraven Memorial Scholarship?
Community Bankers Association of Georgia and the Walraven family announce an annual scholarship through the J. Steven Walraven Memorial Scholarship Fund to a full or parttime Georgia community bank employee planning to attend a college or university within the state of Georgia. This $500 scholarship is awarded to a Georgia community bank employee attending a college or university within the state of Georgia. The goal of the scholarship is to assist those employees interested in furthering their education to enhance their career in community banking.
Applications due to CBA by April 11, 2025.
What is the McNair Family Scholarship?
The McNair Family Scholarship recognizes and honors the achievements of Nicholas (Nick) R. Cimino. The scholarship will be awarded once per year to an adult learner who is currently employed at a Georgia community bank and plans to work towards an associate, bachelors, or trade degree. An adult learner is someone two years removed from high school and working at least 25 hours per week at a Georgia community bank. The award is for $1,000.00 and will be paid directly to the institution of higher learning to offset student expenses (tuition, study materials, and expenses).
Applications due to CBA by May 1, 2025.
2025 SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Raise Your Brand Awareness and Reach Top Decision Makers in Georgia’s Community Banks
This coming year, CBA will host 90+ events that bring together decision-makers from Georgia’s community banks. As an Associate Member, targeted marketing with CBA helps you build connections, grow your brand, and show your support for the industry.
Stand out in 2025 with a customized sponsorship and advertising package tailored to your goals.
Reserve Your Ad Space Today!
Looking to connect with key decision makers in Georgia’s community banking industry? CBA offers a range of affordable advertising options to help you maximize your marketing impact while supporting community banking. Promote your business through our website, weekly e-newsletter, and magazine, and get your message in front of the right audience.
For sponsorships and advertising, contact Lindsay Greene, CBA, 770-541-0376 or Lindsay Greene.
CBA’S 2024 PREFERRED SERVICE PROVIDERS
DIAMOND LEVEL
ICBA Securities
Jim Reber | jreber@icbasecurities.com | 901.762.5884
Independent Community Bankers of America
Scott Brown | scott.brown@icba.org | 334.328.5731
James Bates Brannan Groover LLP
Dan Brannan | dbrannan@jamesbatesllp.com | 404.997.6023
SHAZAM
Alex Jernigan | jjernig@Shazam.net | 229.220.0064
PLATINUM LEVEL
Genesys Technology Group, LLC
David Saylor | david@genesystg.com | 770.729.4139
Wipfli
Kimberley Emberg | kimberley.emberg@wipfli.com |203.518.4432
GOLD LEVEL
Holtmeyer & Monson
Arne Monson | amonson@holtandmon.com | 800.340.7304
Integris
Cameron Loughery | cameron.loughery@fid.integrisit.com | 470.683.6882
IntraFi Network
Danny Capitel | dcapitel@promnetwork.com | 770.630.6796
Mauldin & Jenkins
Ron Mitchell | rmitchell@mjcpa.com | 229.446.3600
Point to Point Environmental
Mark Faas | mfaas@p2penvironmental.com | 678.565.4435 Ext 151
STS Group
Adam Stephens | adams@stsgrp.com | 256.957.8018
Travelers
Danny Rakovec | drakovec@travelers.com | 678.317.7887
Phil Winn | Phil.Winn@acgworld.com
Interested in becoming a Preferred Service Provider?
The Preferred Service Provider packages offers Associate Members the option of upgrading to package of your choice. A few benefits include early access to advertising, exhibiting and sponsorship opportunities, simplified budgeting and of course – increased exposure! All packages are reviewed by CBA’s Member Services Committee. To learn more, please contact Lindsay Greene at 770.541.0376.
