GA Communities First March_April 2021 by Community Bankers Association of Georgia

2021 CONVENTION | MEMBER BEST PRACTICES | EXCITING NEW PROGRAMS

MARCH/APRIL 2021

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CONTENTS

F E AT U R E S March/April 2021

C B A S TA F F John McNair President & CEO john@cbaofga.com Lori Godfrey Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff, Government and Regulatory Relations lori@cbaofga.com

CBA’s Legislative Team: President & CEO John McNair; Tyler Eck, Government and Regulatory Relations Associate, and Lori Godfrey, Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff, Government and Regulatory Relations 2

State of the CBA Georgia

Advocacy is Power

trends

19 Do’s, Don’ts, and Maybes

t h e l at e s t

Faster Payments

Let the Race Begin!

Future of Non-Interest Income

Get to Know Senator Brass

Solutions for Success

FHLBank Atlanta Legislative Update

27 Overcoming Credit Risk Uncertainty

s pot l i g h ts

professional development

Education Buzz

32 53rd Annual Convention & Mini-Trade Show

13 Women’s History Month 17 PSP: Lisa Small, Warren Averett

39 Life Service Award

Scholarship Applications

43 CBA’s Preferred Service Providers

s tay connected

@CBAofGeorgia

@CBAGeorgia

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

member services

Lindsay Greene Senior Vice President Member Services, Marketing lindsay@cbaofga.com Lisa McNair Director of Finance lisa@cbaofga.com

11 I Love My Community Bank

Kristi Greer Senior Vice President Professional Development kristi@cbaofga.com

Tyler Eck Government and Regulatory Relations Associate tyler@cbaofga.com

@company/ cbaofgeorgia

Community Bankers Association of Georgia 1640 Powers Ferry Road SE, Building 28, Suite 100, Marietta, GA 30067-1425 (770) 541-4490 or (800) 648-8215 • Fax (770) 541-4496 | www.cbaofga.com • cba@cbaofga.com M ar c h / A p r i l 2 0 2 1 | G e or g i a C o m m un i ti es F i rs t | 1

VANTAGE POINT

State of the Community Bankers Association of Georgia CBA has received its completed audit report and I am pleased to report to the membership that your association is in a strong financial position to take on future challenges and opportunities. Below, please find a few highlights: RESERVES BOLSTERED: Due to the sale of CBA’s real estate asset and positive operating results, CBA was able to add nearly $1 million dollars to reserves last year. CBA’s Board and management team will be looking at opportunities to deploy capital in programs and services that enhance the overall member value proposition. BOLD, MEMBER-DRIVEN INITIATIVES LAUNCHED: At the direction of CBA’s leadership bankers, several new initiatives were launched in 2020. CBA’s Wellness Solutions represents the next iteration of association group health insurance programs and will significantly improve options available for members and their employees. Additionally, CBA has pioneered several new member-driven educational programs focusing on Executive Leadership development and Human Resources Professionals featuring new content, speakers, and cutting-edge learning environments. ADVOCACY IS JOB #1: CBA was started over 50 years ago to give community banks their own unique voice on policy issues separate from other financial services providers and organizations. CBA’s recent strategic plan identified advocacy as the association’s top priority; therefore, CBA has begun the process of investing greater resources in this area. Due to the generous support of CBA members, the association’s PAC fund is growing and with the addition of Mr. Tyler Eck, CBA will become much more active on both a state and federal level.

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John McNair President & CEO Community Bankers Association of Georgia

GROWING MEMBERSHIP: Along with four new bank start-ups in 2020, CBA had several other Georgia based community banks join the association. Additionally, several community banks from surrounding states that do not have a community bank-only association joined CBA in 2020 as well. CBA is open to all community banks that identify with the core principles and values of the community banking industry. Your CBA Executive Committee, Board of Directors, LEAD Division, committee members and staff have worked hard the past few years to transform the association into a financially strong and member centric organization. Much has been achieved; however, now is not the time to rest on our laurels- new challenges and opportunities await! We stand ready to serve and remember - THINK CBA FIRST!

FROM THE TOP

Communities are our Passion, Banking is our Purpose, Advocacy is our Power. Speaking of Advocacy - The legislative session is off and running with a full schedule of critical bills that touch many segments of the banking industry. I encourage everyone in our CBA community to become familiar with the key points of the important issues being debated during this session on both the state and federal levels. Hot topics in the state Legislature include the Department of Banking and Finance Housekeeping Bill, the Remote Online Notary Bill, and the COVID-19 Immunities from Liabilities Bill. As a reminder, this would be a great time to reach out to the new banking committee members in both the Senate and House. By contacting these members, you can communicate the critical role community banking plays throughout the state of Georgia. From a federal standpoint, Postal banking, the OCC expansion of charters to non-banks and Cannabis banking will be of high interest to bankers. Of course, as we continue to journey through the pandemic, we must stay abreast on all things related to PPP and loan forgiveness. Please be sure to visit the CBA’s Advocacy Update page for specific details regarding the above referenced bills.

David Lance President & CEO Greater Community Bank 2020-2021 CBA Chairman

It is worth noting that Georgia’s two new United States Senators were both appointed to the Senate Banking Committee. I don’t recall both senators being on the Banking Committee in my whole career of 56 years. Regardless of your political affiliations, it is essential for bankers to build relationships with their federal legislators to spark progressive change. Please do what you can. In addition, it would be a great opportunity and wonderful resource for all members to participate in the virtual ICBA Capital Summit that will be held in April. During the virtual summit, CBA members will be able to engage in facilitated meetings involving our federal delegation. Throughout this edition, you will read more on CBA’s legislative priorities. Advocacy is a vital component to the mission of the organization and your engagement enhances CBA’s ability to create positive change within our industry. Let’s all contribute to the growing success of community banks across Georgia.

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THE LATEST

Thoughts thus far about the 2021 Georgia Legislative Session Before I dive into the nuts and bolts of the 2021 session, I just want to say how welcoming the CBA community has been to me. I am happy and excited to be here and I greatly enjoy the work I am doing on behalf of Georgia’s community banking industry. The work so far with CBA has been enlightening and. I am particularly grateful for the guidance and mentorship of Lori Godfrey and being able to learn from one of Georgia’s top lobbyists is a privilege!

With all the complexities of this year added on to what usually is already a hectic 40 legislative days, Tyler Eck Government and it is a wonder that anyone can Regulatory Relations manage everything going on under Associate the dome. The speed at which the Community Bankers Georgia legislators are working is Association of Georgia neck breaking. In just six weeks, more than 800 bills have been dropped. The budget and legislation related to the pandemic passed through the House and Senate at warp speed. Lori and I have been working diligently to keep track of the legislation and changes happening in real time for our community banks and updating the CBA of GA Weekly Update and Advocacy Blog to keep you informed. The blog is a centralized place for you to see our weekly updates and to view legislation that we are tracking. While the use of technology has provided easier access to and review of committee meetings, the impersonal aspects of technology have made forging the one-on-one relationships I was hoping to develop my first year more difficult, but not impossible. As I’m sure you know, there was a large amount of turnover this last election cycle. There are many freshman legislators that, like me, are still learning the ropes. While the virtual environment does make it challenging, Lori and I have been able to secure appointments with many freshman legislators that are on the committees we work with often. We have been focused on ensuring they know the differences between community banks and other financial services providers. Fortunately, many are familiar with community banks and some even bank with of our local community banks.

TheMy first day down at the Capitol representing CBA proudly. Masks up! 2021 Georgia Legislative Session felt like it began as an Olympic sprint that has turned into a marathon that just keeps racing along. 2020 and 2021 have been historical in many ways and I believe this session will go down in political history as unique and challenging. The pandemic is once again forcing legislators and lobbyists to utilize technology to do the work of the people. It has required growth and perseverance by everyone involved and made my first session as a community bank lobbyist especially memorable.

The Dome today stands out against the sky as I ended my first day at the Capitol for CBA. M ar c h / A p r i l 2 0 2 1 | G e or g i a C o m m un i ti es F i rs t | 5

THE LATEST After the 2021 regular legislative session, CBA will be hosting a variety of advocacy events that we hope you can join us for. In addition to hosting our annual clay shoots and TopGolf events, this year, we will be adding something new—CBA Town Hall Talk Tour. CBA will be partnering with NFIB (www.nfib.com) to host these several grass root advocacy events throughout the state, with the intent to bring federal and state legislators together with community banks and their small business customers. In closing, let me say that it is a pleasure to serve and represent you. Forging strong relationships between CBA’s members and our legislators is my top priority and will help me become the most effective advocate I can be for Georgia’s community banking industry. I would like for our members to know that I am here for you, and I urge you to reach out to me at any time with any concerns or questions that you may have. Thank you all for the opportunity to serve and for all you do for your communities and the great state of Georgia. Since committee meetings limit in person attendance, the twitter feed and the Capitol’s staff and support team have been the real backbone for keeping everyone up to date.

House Banks and Banking Committee: Greg Morris Bill Yearta • Randy Nix Kimberly Alexander Erick Allen Jasmine Clark** Clint Crowe** Robert Dickey Demetrius Douglas Emory Dunahoo Gloria Frazier Lee Hawkins Penny Houston

Chairman Vice Chairman Secretary Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member

Carolyn Hugley** Member David Knight Member Regina Lewis-Ward** Member Pedro Marin Member Billy Mitchell Member Beth Moore Member Butch Parish Member Clay Prickle Member Trey Rhodes Member Will Wade** Member Dale Washburn Member Bruce Williamson Member

Senate Banking and Financial Institutions Committee: Matt Brass** Chairman John Kennedy Vice Chairman Ed Harbison Secretary Jason Anavitarte ** Member Clint Dixon ** Member •

Change to Position

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New Committee Member

Sonya Halpern ** Member Emanuel Jones ** Member Jennifer Jordan Member Butch Miller Member Bruce Thompson • Ex-Officio

THE LATEST

Get to Know Senator Matt Brass

Chairman of Senate Banking & Financial Institutions Committee Senator Brass became the newly appointed Chairman for the Senate’s Banking and Financial Institutions Committee for the 2021-2022 Legislative Session. Tyler Eck, Government and Regulatory Relations Associate at CBA, recently visited with Senator Brass to learn a little about his background, thoughts on community banking, and his perspective on this interesting legislative session. Tyler and Senator Brass have known each other for many years and both have ties to the United States 3rd Congressional district. Senator Brass is from Tyler’s home district, the 28th District of Georgia. He grew up in Newnan, graduated from Newnan High School, joined the United States Navy and afterward attended the University of Georgia. Senator Brass and his wife Maegan have three children. Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got started in politics. “I was a golf club professional at the time of the recession and my wife was in grad school. There were budget cuts coming from the recession and the Board of Regents made a preliminary decision to cut her program going into her final semester. We called one of my golf students, Sen. Mitch Seabaugh, to try to get a better understanding of the process and he helped us out. They didn’t cut my wife’s program but the involvement in the legislative process got my attention, so I volunteered for Sen. Seabaugh at the Capitol, and the rest is history.” You’ve been in the General Assembly for several sessions now. How do you see this legislative session being different from past years? “COVID-19 precautions have really changed the nature of how we see people from the general public, and even our colleagues. But this year also has some pressing issues that need to be addressed by the General Assembly, and I’m all in with our efforts to find the solutions that the people of Georgia need. I love the process even more than I did in those first few years when I was introduced to it.” Congratulations on the appointment as Chairman of the Banking and Financial Institutions committee. What excites you about this new role, and do you have any plans or achievements in mind for the committee this session? “I’m always excited to face new challenges and I am excited to build new relationships in an industry that I haven’t been involved with very much. My plans for this session are to listen and gather information, build relationships and learn the industry and figure out what I can do to make it better.”

Due to COVID-19, this is a picture of Senator Matt Brass and Tyler from last year outside his office during session. Tyler was a student from UGA’s Terry College of Business,and the class had a Day at the Dome.

What does community banking mean to you? “Community banking means to me that I am doing business with my friends, neighbors and fellow church members. Banks and banking institutions are directly tied to many aspects of the communities they are in, so community banking is an extension of community service, involvement and representation.” Growing up in Georgia and being from a small town, you’ve seen our state’s growth first hand. How do you foresee this growth impacting community banks? “Our growing economy can revitalize community banks because with growth comes opportunity. Georgia is quickly becoming a hub for new industries, and our community banks continue to support existing industries, and are a large part of the infrastructure we have in place to support these industries.” Background History Source: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/ document/docs/default-source/bios/brass-matt-4907.pdf M ar c h / A p r i l 2 0 2 1 | G e or g i a C o m m un i ti es F i rs t | 7

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FHLBank of Atlanta Legislative Update The Biden administration and the Democrat-controlled 117th Congress are underway. All are watching as governing agendas move from stump speeches to the much more difficult task of implementing those plans. The year ahead is sure to test how many agenda items fall victim to political realities. Also tested will be President Biden’s pledge to turn down the heat on political discourse and usher in a new era of bipartisan cooperation. With control of Congress, Democrats are able to set the agenda and control the process, but a sweeping legislative agenda seems unlikely given their razor thin majority. Moderate Democrats like Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) are also proving to have an outsized role in determining the direction of the legislative agenda. Sen. Manchin recently pushed back on raising the minimum wage to $15 dollars, suggesting a lower amount would be more appropriate. The White House is now saying a $15 dollar minimum wage is unlikely to pass and they are willing to compromise. With filibuster rules expected to remain unchanged, most legislation will still require 60 votes for passage, which will force the two parties to compromise or will limit the number of bills that are passed. To pass a COVID-19 relief bill without having to overcome the 60 vote threshold, Democrats are using the budget reconciliation process, which allows budget related bills to pass with a simple majority. Though the White House expressed a desire to pursue bipartisanship in moving a COVID-19 relief bill forward, urgency led Democrats to use the reconciliation process, which may hinder later attempts at bipartisanship. Given the expected difficulty passing legislation, President Biden will likely seek to accomplish as much of his agenda as possible through administrative action. This started immediately after inauguration, with the signing of dozens of executive orders on a wide range of topics including action on issues related to COVID-19, financial services, climate change, and racial justice, among a number of others. New regulations are also expected, including those impacting the financial services industry. For example, reforming the Community Reinvestment Act is high on Biden’s agenda. The focus will be on increasing equity in the housing and financial services industries for low- and moderate-income communities and communities of color. Other changes could seek to reestablish some of the Dodd-Frank reforms that were removed or relaxed during the Trump years. However, with the importance of keeping the economy on even

footing, the administration is expected to strike a balance to reduce the risk of slowing or reversing economic growth. Senate Banking Committee Chair Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and House Financial Services Committee Chair Maxine Waters will focus the efforts of their respective committees on consumer protection, equity in housing and access to financial services, and stronger industry oversight. While they may not be able to achieve a robust legislative agenda, we do expect to see an aggressive hearing schedule that will bring attention to their priority areas. It is also interesting to note that with the additions of Sen. John Ossoff (D-GA) and Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA), the Senate Banking Committee now contains seven members that hail from states within the FHLBank Atlanta district. Republicans in both the House and Senate will likely seek to just play defense over the next two years while eyeing the midterm elections in 2022. The party that wins the White House historically struggles to maintain or increase its majority during the midterms. However, Republicans in a few swing districts may need some accomplishments to campaign on, rather than mere obstructionism. We will be watching closely to see if moments of bipartisanship can indeed develop over the course of the year, and we will be working hard with both sides of the political aisle to ensure policymakers have the resources they need to make informed decisions. The road ahead may be challenging but wherever there is challenge there is also opportunity. FHLBank Atlanta stands ready to work with CBA and its members to make the most of every opportunity presented.

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ADVOCACY COMMITTEE Committee Co-Chair: Richy Everly, Bank of Wrightsville Committee Co-Chair: Clark Hungerford, Vinings Bank, Smyrna CBA Liaison: Lori Godfrey Committee Members: Brian Bazemore, Community Bank of Dublin, Laurens County Brad Reeves, PCBB, Walnut Creek, CA Caric Martin, Vinings Bank, Smyrna Eli Tinsley, Planters First Bank, Cordele Gary Beelen, Drew Eckl Farnam, Atlanta John Sillay, Adams, Hemingway, Wilson & Rutledge, LLC, Macon

Matt Mingenback, Fitech Payments, Fort Worth, TX Reece Sanford, Community Bank of Pickens County, Jasper Scott Curry, First State Bank of Randolph County, Cuthbert Jonathan Pope, Exchange Bank, Milledgeville Jason Rooks, Flint Community Bank, Albany Mike Underwood, Peach State Bank & Trust, Gainesville Michael White, James-Bates-Brannan-Groover, LLP, Macon Steven Rigdon, Pineland Bank, Metter Lisa Lane, Planters First Bank, Cordele Conner Thigpen, Mount Vernon Bank, Vidalia Frank Griffin, Flint Community Bank, Albany Chris Cochran, Affinity Bank, Atlanta Lori Godfrey, CBA of Georgia John McNair, CBA of Georgia Becky Soto, CBA of Georgia

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SPOTLIGHT

March is Women’s History Month Insights from a Few Amazing Women

Our nation wouldn’t be where it is today if it weren’t for the contributions from amazing women. To honor the lives and achievements of American women, the U.S. Congress designated March as National Women’s History Month. Women’s History Month recognizes women both past and present for their impact on our society and inspires other women to make a difference. So, while we think women are pretty historic year-round, we’re taking a moment to learn from each other. We asked several CBA members, legislators, and vendor partners who are making a difference here in Georgia to share about mentoring, favorite podcasts, and what advice they’d offer to the next generation of young women. What podcasts do you listen to that inspire you or you learn from? Rep. Beth Moore: My favorite podcast is “The Daily” from the New York Times. Every episode provides a timely reflection on the major issues of the day with relevant background, interviews, and context to the daily headlines. I even listen to the episodes where the topic doesn’t immediately interest me, because I know the host will treat the topic with the respect and depth it deserves, and I’m always glad I listened.

Representative Beth Moore Georgia State House Representative District 95 Peachtree Corners, Berkeley Lake, Duluth, Norcross, Johns Creek

What’s the best advice you have received in business that you wish to pass on to our readers?

Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick: Relationships matter and are often more important than your intelligence or competence. And your reputation is breakable and needs to be protected. Lisa McNair: At my first job as an auditor with Coopers & Lybrand, it was impressed upon us to approach each assignment with an inquisitive perspective instead of using the SALY method (Same As Last Year). We were encouraged to ask the questions… Why are things done this way? Does it make sense? Is there a better way? I have used this mindset throughout my Senator Kay Kirkpatrick Georgia State Senate District 32 Marietta

career and felt it always resulted in learning far more than just the task at hand. It created the framework for new ideas and continuous improvement which has benefited both my employers and my own personal growth. Lisa Berry: One of my most vivid memories as a young lender was having to go to our bank’s loan committee to tell them that I had closed a seven-figure loan at the wrong interest rate. I found the error, told my manager what I had done and had to present my error to the Loan Committee, consisting of the senior management of our bank. The Chairman of the Board was sitting at the head of the table. He said, “Do you know how much money this has cost the bank?” I did and told him the figure, to the penny. He looked at me over his reading glasses and said, “All in favor to lower the rate as it was closed?” That was it. Later, my boss told me no one is fired for admitting their mistakes and telling the truth. Later in my career, when employees came to me with mistakes, they had made that they needed to know how to correct, obviously afraid of the consequences, I remembered the lesson I had learned: nothing replaces the truth. How important is it to have a mentor to grow as a leader? What are some steps to build that type of relationship? Kim Colby: The importance of a mentor to a person beginning their career is immeasurable. A mentor will guide you not only in ways that will help you be successful but will also help you avoid pitfalls that may stall your career. A mentor will be open and honest with you by giving you praise, Kim Colby but also giving you constructive criticism Senior Vice when needed. You will need to be open and President/ honest with them as well because they Professional & know what you do not yet know. They have Retail Banking Manager walked a path that you are just beginning. An important step to build a mentor/mentee Flint Community Bank relationship is to first have a meeting. Come Albany to the meeting prepared with a plan of where you see yourself in the future. What are your goals for your career? After that meeting a development plan should be put into place with milestones to accomplish. Getting together on a regular basis is also important. It adds a level of accountability that is so important for growth.

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SPOTLIGHT Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick: Mentorship is extremely important. Your mentor doesn’t have to be a female, just someone who sincerely wants you to succeed. What organizations, program, or meet ups do you recommend that have helped you grow? Debra Weil: I graduated from Georgia Southern and began working at The Bank of Fitzgerald in 1982 that was turned into C & S Banking Company the year later. At all banks in our community, there were not very many females that were officers, and I began learning to achieve my career as a Debra Weil banking officer. I began being very involved Executive Vice in our community. I served as a Junior President Achievement Volunteer for our Fitzgerald Community Banking Company High School. I became the first female in Fitzgerald to be the Chairman of Fitzgeraldof Fitzgerald Ben Hill County of Commerce and was later asked join CBA’s Leadership Division Board and later became Chairman of the Leadership Division Board. I also became the Market President for Planters First in Fitzgerald for 10 years and then joined Community Banking Company of Fitzgerald as Executive Vice President. I am currently the Chair-Elect for the CBA Board of Directors and will become the Chairman this June. Due to all of these types of organizations, programs, and meet ups, it definitely increased my career to grow and become excellent. What advice would you give someone just starting their career and looking to advance. Lisa McNair: Raise your hand for the unique or challenging assignments. You might be over your head in the beginning, but hard work and determination will pull you through. Every assignment will teach you something. These lessons develop into knowledge and skills that will be invaluable to you and your employers as you more through your career. Lisa C. McNair,

CPA, MBA Debra Weil: My advice is to establish a Director of timeline for the things that you want to Finance achieve in your career in the next year, 5 Community years, 10 years and so on. Consider the skills Bankers that you will need to learn to make these Association of Georgia things happen and work on acquiring your Marietta career. By learning new skills, you will not only be able to expand upon what you can already do, but you will make yourself more valuable to your employer and future employers. Advancing in your career can move a lot quicker if you are working for the right people. A great boss will be able to help you capitalize on your strengths and be

an advocate for your success. Working hard and delivering a solid job performance are the keys to advancing in your career no matter what field you are in. Keep a record of your positive impact within the organization and let others know that you are enthusiastic about your role and work. Rep. Beth Moore: I’m someone who pursued a highly specialized profession (entertainment law), so the best career advice I ever received came from my first boss in this field, who said, “If you want to become a great entertainment lawyer, first you must become a great lawyer.” It’s a simple proposition but one I’ve carried with me over the years as a reminder to master the basics first, and then the specialization will follow. For those looking to advance their careers, I strongly believe in the power of attraction -- that the signals you communicate to the world will echo back to you -- so wherever or whoever you wish to be in life starts first with you envisioning that reality for yourself, and then the rest of the world will believe you. Lisa Berry: Listen and watch before you speak or act. That sounds so simple, but it’s true. Those first years really matter. You want to make a good impression, but you don’t know the ropes yet and may be afraid to ask questions. Ask the questions, do the research, watch others and learn. I have always looked for the associate who is a team player, asks Lisa Berry, questions and does not take the easiest CRCM, CCBCO Senior Banking route to complete a task, unless it is also the wisest—the associate who is willing to Consultant & Principal work extra hours when truly needed, take Warren Averett on extra jobs, doesn’t watch the clock and Birmingham, AL takes initiative. Kim Colby: I would advise anyone starting their career to write a plan, set your goals and find a mentor. Learn everything you can about your job. Take advantage of any opportunity presented to you to learn more. Have a positive attitude, listen to what your mentor has to say, have an attitude of gratitude for the time they are investing in you to accomplish your career goals. Be the person who will take on a task and not just complete it but exceed the expectations. Do not wait to be asked to do something. Instead, be the person who sees something that needs to be done and ask to take it on. Put the work in without looking for shortcuts, maintain the highest level of integrity and always make sure your words and actions match up. Words mean very little if there are no actions to back them up. The main thing to remember is to have patience. Patience not only with yourself, but with the whole process of career building. This is a marathon, not a sprint.

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SPOTLIGHT

CBA Preferred Service Provider Spotlight – Lisa Small, Warren Averett CPAs & Advisors Lisa Small Principal Warren Averett CPAs & Advisors

In this issue, CBA is pleased to feature Lisa Small, a Principal at Warren Averett CPAs & Advisors in Atlanta. CBA invited Lisa to participate in a Q & A so you can learn a little more about Lisa and the Firm. Tell us about Warren Averett and your role with the company: Warren Averett is one of the largest accounting firms in the Southeast and has been recognized by Forbes to be among America’s Best Tax Firms and America’s Best Accounting Firms for 2021. With more than 800 employees across 15 offices, Warren Averett offers services that span beyond audit and tax. Our Financial Services Practice Group is made up of 50+ professionals, who have dedicated their careers to helping banks, credit unions, insurance companies, broker-dealers and other financial institutions thrive. Our team of seasoned experts stays ahead of industry trends and regulatory changes to help financial services institutions save money, stay compliant and plan for the future. My role is to establish long-term relationships with community banks, understand their unique needs and provide proactive solutions in a rapidly changing environment.

How do you help Georgia’s Community Banks? As a former banker, I can relate to and understand the challenges in the business, regulatory and technology landscapes faced by community banks. I work with a team of experienced professionals, many who are former bankers themselves, and together, we help community banks assess how they’re navigating the financial sphere— ranging from risk management to compliance—and how they can be successful. What was it that drew you and keeps you working at Warren Averett? Not only do I enjoy being at Warren Averett because we have great opportunity to make differences for our clients, I also enjoy how the culture supports female employees. The Firm empowers women to take leadership roles through different programs and helps them take their careers to the next level. One of the biggest draws for me is the fact that both our CEO and COO are women. This has really encouraged me in my time here and helps me to inspire other women as well. It is easy for a company to stick with their values and principles during the good times. However, the companies that are truly successful are the ones that stick with their values through the hard times. Over the past year, I’ve watched Warren Averett continue to

take care of their clients, employees and their community with the same commitment that they had prepandemic. It makes me proud to be with the Firm. Tell us a few interesting facts about you. I am a Cobb County, Georgia native who attended Kennesaw State University where I received my business degree. I spent 20 years at a large bank here in Georgia and met some amazing people, including my wonderful husband. Now, we live in Smyrna with our Argentinian mastiff, Argos. When I realized my puppy would soon outweigh me, I became a certified dog trainer, which allows me to help others with their furry family members. I love the North Georgia mountains, especially Blue Ridge, where most of our vacations are spent. What do you do for fun outside of work? I volunteer at local animal shelters and enjoy reading mystery novels. I read every single Nancy Drew book growing up. Mostly, I love spending time with my husband, family and friends.

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TRENDS

Do’s, Don’ts, and Maybes

Jim Reber

President & CEO ICBA Securities

A set of simple rules to streamline portfolio management in 2021. If my recent aggregate conversations with investment managers are an indication, there is still a lot of seat-of-thepants decision making going on out there when it comes to portfolio strategies. And I hasten to add this is not a criticism; it’s merely an observation. Why should we expect anything else? Banks are still sitting on a lot of cash. The bond market is giving mixed signals with short rates being anchored at nearzero levels while the Treasury yield curve is its steepest in three years. Bond portfolios still have substantial unharvested gains, and net interest margins are at record lows. PPP 2.0 has been launched, as a new wave of fiscal stimulus is about to be unleashed on consumers and governments. Given this bewildering set of variables, perhaps we can create a (relatively) simple set of ground rules that portfolio managers can refer to while trying to make sense of it all. I would like to emphasize that “maybe” is the unspoken theme to these guidelines, as every community bank has its own risk/size/ earnings/ownership profiles. But here goes: Do: Stay invested. Cash yields zero, and will remain there for the remainder of the year, at least. A simple bond that yields even 60 basis points (.60%) will probably produce a spread to your cost of funds, and will provide collateral for pledging purposes. An example of a bond that yields 0.60% is a callable agency with a five-year maturity, and one year of call protection (“5/1 callable”). Don’t: Keep buying the same old bonds just because. In just the last three years, community bank portfolios have changed tenor significantly. You know that banks own fewer tax-free securities since tax rates were cut in 2017, but did you know that both general market munis, and taxable munis, have picked up the slack? The other big “new” bond sector is multifamily mortgage-backed securities (MBS), which follows… Do: Take action to normalize your bond portfolio’s cash flow. As low as returns (and spreads) are, the cost of eliminating optionality is an all-time low. Case in point: a five-year noncallable agency (aka “bullet”) yields about 0.57%, which means an investor surrenders three measly basis points to remove all cash flow uncertainty. In a different sector, MBS, a similar set of dynamics is at play. You’ve read in this column recently that “prepayment friction” pools which consist of low balance loans can slow down refinance activity. The same outcomes can be achieved with “yield maintenance” provisions on multifamily MBS.

Don’t: Worry (too much) about rates rising to the point that your collection of bonds is underwater from a market price standpoint. If your community bank is typical, it will benefit from a general rise in rates. For one thing, since banks own a whole lot of bonds at prices above par, interest rate increases will cause the current bonds’ yields to improve. For another, the rest of your bank’s earning assets will pretty quickly show some improvement, whether the loan portfolio consists of floaters or shorter-duration fixed rate credits. Community banks’ asset/liability positions are built for rising rates. Do: Stay on top of your portfolio’s effective duration, to put your mind at ease about all of the above. We have seen this important barometer of price risk really whipsaw over the last year. At last look, most portfolios had returned to their pre-pandemic durations of around 3.0 years, but that’s taken a lot of buying of a lot of longer-maturity bonds to get there. In mid-2020, they had shrunk, on average, to about 2.5 years. That’s a 20% increase in two quarters. Maybe: Invest in some bond education for your staff and you. As the economy (and travel) begins to open back up, there will be a whole range of investment school options available, some virtual, some live, some hybrid. There is also plenty of archival information that’s been accumulated over the last year as trade associations, brokers-dealers and consultants have figured out digital delivery channels. So ask around your providers for offerings that may suit your needs. And by all means, do continue your due diligence and documentation of your actions. Investment portfolios have grown remarkably in the last year. They are likely to be a substantial driver of bank profits for the foreseeable future. Jim Reber (jreber@icbasecurities.com) is president and CEO of ICBA Securities, ICBA’s institutional, fixed-income broker-dealer for community banks.

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Faster Payments - A Case for Why You Should Wait By: The Operations team at United Bankers’ Bank

The virtue of patience isn’t only good when applied to everyday life, but also when deciding to join a faster payments network. As a trusted partner of our community bank customers, we see many benefits to waiting and weighing your options instead of jumping into a real time payments (RTP) network early. Faster Payments – The immediate, instant or same-day delivery of payments and corresponding settlement of funds, provided 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Are other banks providing faster payments to their customers? Many of our customers have expressed a pressure from their core processors to join existing faster payments networks, citing an abundance of community banks rushing to join. Actually, less than 1% of US banks are currently utilizing RTPs. Are your customers asking for faster payments? This may seem like a simple question, but if your commercial customers are not actively demanding a faster payments solution, then there is a cost-benefit of waiting. Findings contained in an Association for Financial Professionals (AFP) survey reported that businesses were not interested in new faster payment methods due to the associated costs and resources needed to operate. The survey also found that commercial businesses don’t want additional banking relationships, preferring to have their payments flow through the financial institution that services their business loans. This reduces the threat posed to community banks if a competing institution were to offer a faster payments solution first.

Introducing this new solution will create market competition thereby providing an incentive for all real time payment services to keep operational costs and prices competitive while ensuring high levels of customer service. In addition, as other faster payment providers enter the market, community banks will be given more choices and more robust solution offerings. The Federal Reserve Bank is on track to introduce a Faster Payments exchange, FedNow, in 2023. When FedNow goes online, it will dramatically lower the costs associated with bringing faster payment products to market and breed more competition. Faster Payments for Community Banks Faster Payments presents an opportunity for community banks to serve their customers and position their institution on the forefront of the digital payment landscape. UBB’s motivating factor for providing a competitive faster payment alternative is not profit rather ensuring community banks well informed of the ongoing product development process, resulting in a quality, functional, efficient and affordable solution enabling them to be successful and remain competitive in the communities they serve. Guest article from CBA Associate Member United Bankers’ Bank. Trey Moore Vice President - Correspondent Banking Officer United Bankers’Bank

Do the cost/benefit really add up? Costs associated with joining a real time payments network are considerably high. Community banks could pay various fees, including: membership fees, monthly connection fees and transactional charges for the payments they originate. Community banks also need to factor in the cost of 24/7 internal support and the need to pre-fund the account. What is United Bankers’ Bank doing for Faster Payments? UBB is working with a group of other bankers’ banks, Fintech companies, the Federal Reserve Bank and payment associations to develop solutions that will complement the needs of community banks.

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LOCAL FIRM, NATIONAL RESOURCES We may begin relationships with traditional tax or audit services, but clients quickly realize we can offer so much more. By listening to your bank’s needs, we connect you with our experts to help accomplish what’s important to you. Our advisors can guide you through every business situation. From technology solutions and regulatory compliance, to managing staffing needs, Warren Averett can provide you with a broad range of innovative solutions tailored to you. We’re here for you.

Contact Lisa Small today for a complimentary assessment to see how we can help you. 770.393.6151 Lisa.Small@warrenaverett.com

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Georgia | Alabama | Florida | www.warrenaverett.com

TRENDS

This is the Future of Non-Interest Income Today’s rate environment is compressing net interest margin for community banks. So generating non-interest income is more important than ever. But not just any non-interest income. Done right, the revenue you drive can add value to consumers’ lives and deepen your relationships with them. Nickel-and-diming consumers is counterproductive. According to the FDIC, the most common drivers of noninterest income are: 1. Fee accounts and maintenance fees 2. ATM fees 3. Service charges and origination fees 4. Cross-sell of other products With the top three drivers being fee-based, it begs the question: how can fees be the holy grail of non-interest income if consumers hate them? We all know that consumers hate fees. An increasing number of institutions (online-only and traditional) are offering fee-free checking accounts with no minimum balance requirements. That spells trouble if you’re still charging a monthly maintenance fee. One exception to fee-resentment is what we call a “consumer choice fee.” People prefer fees that they feel they have a choice in paying, i.e. fees that are charged when they don’t perform a certain activity — such as using their debit card or opting into e-statements. Another exception is offering a transparent “value-formoney” fee. A regular checking account with a $5 fee doesn’t offer much value in a consumer’s eyes when they can get the same account for free somewhere else. A checking account that offers additional benefits, such as a free safe deposit box or discounts on other banking services, feels justifiable to most consumers.

Interchange fees are still an important revenue source for community banks. And the stickiness created by repeated debit card use is a great way to reduce account holder attrition. But with federal regulations and threats from fintechs and retailers like Amazon and Walmart opening their own payment services, it’s important to diversify your non-interest income streams. Value-added products drive non-interest income — without driving away consumers. Consumers need a lot more than checking, savings, and loans. Think about all the products that could round out someone’s experience with your institution: investment services, vehicle warranties, GAP insurance, debt protection, device protection, identity fraud protection, life and health insurance, and discount programs just to name a few. Adding any one of these offerings to your product lineup would generate non-interest income for your institution while deepening your consumer relationships. With the Fed rate at or near zero, margin compression is a growing concern for many banks. Generating non-interest income is going to be your best bet for weathering the storm. Value-added products will not only generate revenue for your institution; they will also increase product density and attract and deepen relationships with consumers — setting you up for success now and well into the future.

Gabe Kraijcek

Chief Executive Officer Kasasa

If you’re charging fees without adding extra value, it’s only a matter of time before your account holders take their money elsewhere. Don’t rely on interchange fees alone. There are lots of ways you can boost consumer-friendly non-interest income, with one of the best being cash back reward checking that encourages debit card use and drives interchange fees.

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TRENDS

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TRENDS

Untapped Opportunity: One Way to Drive Income & Diversify Your Portfolio The Solutions for Success features timely issues and best practices from CBA Associate Members. CBA recently met with Brian Mullett, Senior Vice President, Bank Relationships at Bankers Healthcare Group, to ask a few questions about alternative lending and what to look for when considering this option. BHG’s loan program has become a secure, innovative opportunity for banks to achieve asset growth and portfolio diversification. Why are banks turning to alternative lenders to provide income? Low lending margins, paired with a surplus of cash, have driven many banks to seek out new income opportunities and diversify their portfolio to drive their bottom line. One way they’re overcoming this is by forming strategic relationships with alternative lenders in the industry. Not only has this provided them access to quality loans with high yields, but it has also allowed them to streamline the underwriting process, without having to hire or reallocate resources within their bank. Those who seek out partners to help offset the challenges in the market are quickly strengthening their loan portfolios to achieve their revenue goals for the year. How do you choose the right partner for your bank? While partnering with alternative lenders has its advantages, it’s important to note that each one will impact your business differently. To choose the right partner for your bank, here are the top qualities to vet for: 1. Track record of success You want a financial partner who can endure changes in the market and can originate quality loans for your portfolio at any time. Put your mind at ease by working with a lender who has a record of successfully navigating economic downturns and is agile enough to adjust its business model to meet your needs year after year without fail. 2. Focus on quantitative analytics Utilizing data to make lending decisions is common practice today, but not every lender has built proprietary quantitative analysis models to uncover variables that predict risk. A partner who dives deep into the analytics can make better predictions when originating loans, resulting in a stronger return on the portfolio you purchase.

who execute innovative, highly targeted campaigns across every channel, and are extremely selective in who they lend to, offer a unique advantage in the marketplace. This ultimately creates a better loan offering for your bank. 4. Streamlined process Few things are as time-consuming as evaluating credit files. Choose a financial partner who offers consistent loan packages so you can analyze files quickly and make informed purchasing decisions with ease. 5. Innovative technology; concierge service Banks are synonymous with customer service. The right partner brings innovative technology to your institution, but equally understands the importance of having live financing specialists available to help your borrowers. Brian Mullett, SVP, Bank Relationships at Bankers Healthcare Group, has 12 years of experience helping community banks strengthen and grow their portfolios by connecting them with premium, high yield loans from Bankers Healthcare Group. For more information visit bhgloanhub.com/Brian Brian Mullett SVP, Bank Relationships Bankers Healthcare Group

3. Origination expertise Being well-known in the industry doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll attract the highest quality borrower– unless you serve a niche industry and invest in marketing. Partners M ar c h / A p r i l 2 0 2 1 | G e or g i a C o m m un i ti es F i rs t | 25

Squeezing is for lemons. Not for community banks. As you focus on serving your customers during a critical time, we focus on our mission to make your day easier, not costlier. Our fintech solutions are ripe for 2021 issues. And save you from multiple vendors draining money and time out of your bank. Sweet.

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TRENDS

Overcoming Unprecedented Credit Risk Uncertainty Most bankers know, intuitively, “the other credit-quality shoe” will inevitably drop. Despite federal stimulus initiatives, temporary regulatory relief, and the prospects for turning the corner on COVID-19, bankers realize that credit tails always extend longer than the economic shocks that precipitate them. Although the Wall Street rebound dominates U.S. business news — our commercial bank credit lives on Main Street! And Main Street is in a recession. Unlike the previous crisis where one sector of the housing industry took us down, COVID’s most vexing legacy is its effect on multiple, disparate businesses comprising portfolios. In what is a classic credit red flag, more emphasis is now placed on borrowers’ survivability, rather than growing investment potential. While the government’s actions averted an economic calamity, they also masked the true nature of credit quality within our portfolios. This has created unmatched UNCERTAINTY among all bank stakeholders — anathema to anyone managing credit risk. We’re now beyond the “it’s-beyond-our-control” defense. All stakeholders — particularly the regulators — will expect that each bank write its own credible narrative quantifying its unique credit risk profile. In other words, being captain of your own ship. Effectively reducing uncertainty (if not eliminating it) will be priority one this year. The key lies within your own bank’s idiosyncratic, non-public loan data. Only you are privy to this information; all external stakeholders, including peers, see your bank through the lens of public data such as call reports. So how do you pull this off? I’d advise five orderly paths: RECOGNIZE THE TRAP OF JUST FOCUSING ON THE PORTFOLIO AT-LARGE. An overall perspective often ignores the divergent economic forces at work within subsets of your portfolio. You may be performing well on the whole, but there’s risk you’re focusing on the forest while overlooking groups of trees that may be diseased.

DRILL DOWN TO SUSPECT OR TROUBLED LOANS. Any tool should provide the ability to instantly peel the onion down to the most potentially concerning loans and borrowers. It is the ultimate bridge between quantitative data and qualitative issues that need more urgent attention. ADOPT AN ALTERNATIVE SERVICING PROCESS FOR THE TARGETED LOANS. Given the non-ordinary times, redirecting credit servicing strategies to risk hotspots will prove beneficial. Regulators hold us accountable for our policies; therefore, I recommend nuanced and enhanced servicing, stress testing, and loan review protocols — adjusting our polices accordingly, if only temporarily. WRITE YOUR OWN SCRIPT FOR ALL OF THE ABOVE — THE GOOD AND BAD. All outside stakeholders, especially regulators, must perceive us as the experts on our own credit risk profile. Taking the above steps should enable us, credibly, to write our own scripts. Correlation exists between the early detection of credit problems and two optimum outcomes: (1) reduced levels of loss; and (2) greater flexibility in moving problems out of the bank. The magnitude of today’s credit uncertainties adds to the challenge of realizing this maxim — but they can be overcome. David Ruffin Principal IntelliCredit™

CREATE PORTFOLIO SUBSETS, IDENTIFYING CREDIT HOTSPOTS. Employ practical, affordable tools that allow you to identify credit hotspots with the same analysis you’d use in evaluating the portfolio in total. For instance, where are you seeing troubling risk grade migrations within pass? What industries are showing more weaknesses? Such concentrated assessments of a subset are far more informative and predictive than the bluntness of the regulatory guidance on commercial real estate lending. M ar c h / A p r i l 2 0 2 1 | G e or g i a C o m m un i ti es F i rs t | 27

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Education Buzz:

Why should our bank have a training budget during a pandemic? Why not? What happens if you don’t? You will fall behind if you cut the training budget. Training and development programs support organizations in many ways, especially during a pandemic, a recession, change(s), and strategic efforts. Derrick Thompson, a writer/ editor for Association of Talent Development writes, “that corporate learning programs are essential to workplace transformation.”

Training & Development Budgets and Strategies - do what? • Invest in your people while investing in your financial institution. • Set up strategies and people for success. • Improve resiliency. • Nurture people and processes. • Provides tools and resources. • Model and shape behaviors. • Develop and improve skills. • Foster understanding and environments for trust, communication, empathy, and support.

There are many benefits and value statements that can be written to encourage leaders to implement learning strategies. Supporting and developing leaders should be a priority along with ongoing staff development across the bank’s organization. Our bank’s managers are supporting a diverse workforce; not only a variety of ages and back grounds in experience but diverse locations, varying job responsibilities with internal structure changes and community and customer changes. Leadership development will foster trust and open communication that will produce value.

What are your talent development and employee engagement strategies? What new skills and competencies do your banker’s need? How can The Community Bankers Association support your needs? Our new and enhanced program offerings provide participants opportunities to refocus and to support your bank’s vision, mission, values, and strategic goals. Call us, we work for you and are ready to connect your bankers to the right solution and learning tools.

Kristi Greer

Senior Vice President Director of Professional Development Community Bankers Association of Georgia

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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Compliance Program I: Fair Lending March 16 - Duluth or STREAM March 17 - Macon

March 24 - Tifton March 25 - Statesboro or STREAM

We invite you to continue participating in CBA’s annual Compliance Program, the 2021 Why Comply? Package. CBA of GA continues to raise the bar on our program offerings to bring more benefits and value to our community bank compliance professionals. The Why Comply? Package will support your financial institutions strategies for managing an effective compliance program. As your professional development resource, we know you strive to continue growing your knowledge and skills as compliance professionals. Your Why Comply? Package was built using our member’s ongoing feedback and survey Sponsored results. Thank you for continuing to provide support and feedback so that we can offer by: the topics and ongoing resources you request.

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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

2021 Leadership Academy

The Popular Community Bank Leadership Academy Starts March 22 Register today to participate in four interactive, action oriented learning sessions. Hilton Garden Inn - Mercer | 1220 Stadium Dr., Macon, GA 31204 Join 20 community bankers to develop personal and professional leadership skills through CBAs Community Bank Leadership Academy. Our Leadership Academy is engaging, interactive & effective. Participants will set learning goals, assess and increase their leadership skills including communicating effectively in teams, with clients, and with various personality styles, they will make presentations with confidence, build project action plans, improve performance and continue their ongoing learning. The leadership academy will enhance individual skills that will bring positive influence to your organizations and communities.

“This was one of the best Leadership classes that I’ve attended.”

Kristy Harrell, SVP/COO First Port City Bank

Executive Channel You asked for a C-Suite Forum. We have many members who have asked for a forum to learn, stay abreast of changes, be on top of what’s new and gain insight from other bankers. Our education committee members took this need to the next level to offer a high level program for all executive leaders- CFO, CLO, Directors and CEOs. Our goal is to offer the top-notch, engaging, interactive and action-oriented program that will give our banks tools to benefit their strategies and change goals. The brand new Executive Channel will be customized programming for the bank’s leaders to be exposed to a variety of strategic and progressive topics that will enable our community bankers to implement effective change processes and techniques. These forums will provide for a channel of knowledge, experience and tools to continue supporting successful community banking.

LEARN MORE HERE

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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

CONVENTION AGENDA

MORE INFORMATION

HOTEL RESERVATIONS

• Additional Day of Programming • NEW Directors Track - Topics Offered • NEW TOPICS • Digital Evolution • Revenue Generation Panel • Diversity/Inclusion • FinTech Showcase • and More! • The Ever Popular Conversation with the Regulators • Keynote: Creating a "Yes, And" Culture of High-Level Performance & Engagement - Galen Emanuele • Check Back Often for Exciting Programming Updates! Download and explore the CBA App for access to all CBA has to offer including Events, News, Publications, and Photos! Scan this code with your phone's camera and click the link to download or click the buttons below to download the app.

Click here to access the convention app on your computer.

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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Galen Emanuele

reating a “Yes, And” C Culture of High-Level Performance & Engagement Galen’s session will profoundly impact the way you communicate, show up, and drive culture on your team. Through simple, insightful activities, Galen will teach you how to apply the tenets of “Yes, And” to skyrocket team performance and engagement. You will come away with powerful new tools to enhance your leadership presence, self-awareness, and ability to establish exceptional culture within your organization.

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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

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

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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Why Innovate? Why Fintech?

Who owns “innovation” at your bank, what can we learn from fintechs and should we consider partnerships? Scott Mills, president of William Mills Agency will moderate a Fintech innovation panel to highlight approaches, resources and challenges of improving efficiencies and growing fee income through the use of new technologies. What would it take to make innovation a corporate skill set of your bank?

Scott Mills, APR President, Partner William Mills Agency Atlanta, GA

Thinking About Digital Evolution?

The digital landscape is crowded, and the noise is loud. Learn what pitfalls to avoid, and how to accelerate the process the RIGHT way. Designing a roadmap that results in the best ROI involves so much more than just technology - are you prepared, doing it right, and will it pay off? General Session: Digital Evolution: Best Practices, Understand the Process, Creating a Digital Roadmap Breakout Session: Digital Evolution Using a Case Study & Panel

Marcie BombergMontoya OCI, OEI Principal, Wipfli Milwaukee, WI

Terry Ammons CPA, CISA, CTPRP Partner, Wipfli Atlanta, GA

M ar c h / A p r i l 2 0 2 1 | G e or g i a C o m m un i ti es F i rs t | 35

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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

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THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS GOLD SPONSOR

SILVER SPONSOR

INDIVIDUAL EVENT SPONSORS GENESYS TECHNOLOGY GROUP

Friday Cash Prize, 7-Minute Spotlight, and Kids’ Welcome Kits Friday Promo Items

60-Second Commercial

WiFi Wednesday Saturday

Saturday Breakfast

Convention Totes

Convention Swag Item

Ribbon Sponsor & Selfie Station

Board Appreciation Reception & Dinner Co-Sponsors

Bottled Water

Thursday Night Hosted Bar Co-Sponsors

Thursday Promo Items

In-Room Gift Thursday Night

Friday Breakfast

Mini-Trade Show Grand Prize

Thursday Night Desserts & Coffee Co-Sponsor

Name Badges

Saturday Promo Items

Snack Bags & Welcome Refreshments

Chairman Reception & Banquet Sponsor, 60 - Second Commercial, Board Gift & Meeting Refreshments

For more information on sponsorships, please contact Lindsay Greene at (770) 541-0376. M ar c h / A p r i l 2 0 2 1 | G e or g i a C o m m un i ti es F i rs t | 37

INTEREST RATES MAY BE NEAR ZERO,

BUT FEE INCOME DRIVERS FOR YOUR BANK ARE LIMITLESS. With short-term interest rates near zero, community banks need other avenues to drive revenue. That’s where Fitech can help. Our modern technology makes it simple for your business customers to accept payments, send invoices and manage both their cash flow and business operations with real-time transaction reporting. These

value-added services generate non-interest income for your institution and protect your relationship with small business owners—two key objectives in today’s environment.

Banks that control how their small businesses get paid, control where the deposits go. Partner with Fitech today to deliver meaningful, personalized service and grow your portfolio.

Contact Tanner Rizenbergs 817-575-7930 | trizenbergs@fitech.com www.fitech.com Endorsed Partner of the CBAG

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MEMBER SERVICES

Celebrate a Lifetime of Service

Will you or someone at your bank be celebrating a milestone this year? Let CBA help you celebrate! Community Bankers Association of Georgia (CBA) is proud to honor bankers who have reached a significant milestone in the banking industry with the Lifetime Service Awards. CBA pays tribute to bankers reaching a milestone of 30, 40 or 50 years in the community banking industry. The presentation will be made during the 53rd Annual Convention & Mini-Trade Show. The 2021 deadline to submit honorees is Monday, May 3, 2021. Honorees receive a commemorative plaque, and CBA will feature the honorees in various CBA publications. Honorees with 50 or more years of service also receive a customized gold and diamond lapel pin. If you or someone in your bank is celebrating 30, 40 or 50 years of service as a banker during this calendar year, please contact Lindsay Greene, 770-541-0376, or visit CBA’s website.

The reasons to trust us with your SBA lending really stack up. Profit from people you can trust. Our SBA expertise helps you maximize your community bank’s earning potential. Our team becomes your team, managing and simplifying every step of the process, from loan packaging and closing, to securitization and sale, to portfolio servicing. All at no net cost to you. Learn how your bank can earn 10-12% premiums on the sale of SBA/USDA loan guarantees. Talk to us today. 800.340.7304 www.holtandmon.com

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TARGET YOUR AUDIENCE

Check out our Advertising & Sponsorship Options

If you want to target top decision makers in Georgia’s community banking industry, you will find the CBA offers numerous ways to help you accomplish your goals and stretch your marketing dollars. Show your support for CBA and promote your business at the same time. If you have questions, please contact Lindsay Greene at lindsay@cbaofga.com or (770) 541-0376. CBA Today eNewsletter Advertising Georgia Communities First Magazine Published six times a year, Georgia Communities First provides coverage of community banking industry trends and developments both on a state and national level.

CBA Website Advertising

Published weekly, CBA Today has a distribution of over 5,000. This digital newsletter includes information on upcoming association events, educational opportunities, associate members, as well as state and national industry news.

CBA’s website, www.cbaofga.com, is the source of information for all things CBA. Ad space is available on a monthly basis and can link to your home page or the destination of your choice.

Upcoming Sponsorships: • IRA Fundamentals | March 18, 2021 • BSA/AML Bootcamp | March 30 – April 1, 2021

• Avoid Loan Loss; Principles for Loan Officers & Administrators | April 14-16 • TRID Advanced | May 6, 2021

Advertising in the 2021 Georgia Financial Directory? Artwork is due by March 15, 2021.

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MEMBER SERVICES

Let CBA Help Your Bank Celebrate!

April is Community Banking Month and CBA and community banks across Georgia are recognizing the unique spirit that makes community banks the foundation of their communities in cities and towns throughout the state. “Community Banking Month recognizes the significant role community banks play in stimulating their local economies,” stated John McNair, President & CEO of CBA. “Now is the perfect time to recognize the significant impact community banks are making across Georgia.” CBA has produced banner ads in a variety of sizes for your bank’s website. For more information, contact Lindsay Greene at (770) 541-0376, or visit the Community Banking Month section on the CBA website.

• • • • •

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THESE FREE RESOURCES FROM CBA:

Press release for member banks to distribute to local media Ways to Celebrate Community Banking Month

Community Banking Month Employee Fact Sheet Community Banking Month Customizable Op Ed Banner ads for your website

#ILoveMyCommunityBank #GoLocal #BankLocalGA

Strategy. Simplified. Strategic planning for today’s financial institution. Get started at wipfli.com/fi-sp

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MEMBER SERVICES

Scholarship Applications Are Due!

All Completed Applications Are Due to CBA by April 9th The Community Bankers Association of Georgia (CBA) is proud to offer the 2021 Julian & Jan Hester Memorial Scholarship and the J. Steven Walraven Scholarship! The Hester Scholarship is open to Georgia high school seniors who will be entering a Georgia college, university or technical school (two year program or more) in the fall semester of 2021. The scholarship is named after the late Jan Hester, daughter of Lalia and the late Julian Hester, long-time CEO of the CBA. The four winning recipients will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship. CBA’s Leadership Division proudly assists with this initiative.

The Walraven Scholarship is awarded in the amount of $500 to a bank employee who desires to continue their education while working full-time at a CBA member bank. The scholarship is named after the late J. Steven Walraven, an active community banker who exemplified professionalism and community involvement. To compete, employees must write a short essay on how community banking has impacted their life and how it will enable them to give back to their community.

Applications for either scholarship should be returned to the bank no later than Friday, April 2, 2021. All completed applications should be submitted by the bank to CBA no later than Friday, April 9, 2021. Only complete applications will be eligible. A panel of independent judges will review the applications and winners will be announced in late April 2021. Please visit www.cbaofga.com to download the scholarship applications and encourage participation from your community. For more information, please contact Lindsay Greene at lindsay@cbaofga.com.

EXECUTIVE INSURANCE AGENCY, INC.

Call Us for All Your Collateral Insurance Needs! • • • •

VSI Flood Creditor Placed Collateral Protection

• • • •

REO GAP Blanket Tracking Services

Executive Insurance is a Preferred Service Provider of the CBA of Georgia, and has been working with community banks in Georgia since 1980. We are totally committed to the future of community banking and consequently are setting the standard in service, knowledge and innovation in this very important area. We encourage you to call on us for a comprehensive review of your specific needs.

Mr. Ryan Sower • P.O. Box 480 • Stockbridge, GA 30281-0480 770-474-2355 • 800-772-1404 • www.executiveinsuranceagency.com

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CBA’S 2021 PREFERRED SERVICE PROVIDERS DIAMOND LEVEL

Harland Clarke Christine Ahlgren | christine.ahlgren@harlandclarke.com | (678) 500-5330

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

Warren Averett Lisa Small | lisa.small@warrenaverett.com | (770) 393-6151 Wipfli Mary Boortz | mboortz@wipfli.com | (715) 858- 6677 GOLD LEVEL

ATM Response Tony Webb | twebb@atmresponse.com | (770) 855-2989 Bankers Healthcare Group Brian Mullett | bmullett@bhg-inc.com | (315) 663-1121

Holtmeyer & Monson Arne Monson | amonson@holtandmon.com | (800) 340-7304

IntraFi Network Danny Capitel | dcapitel@promnetwork.com | (770) 630-6796

Point to Point Environmental Mark Faas | mfaas@p2penvironmental.com | (678) 565-4435 Ext 151 STS Group Chris Nelson | cnelson@stsgrp.com | (205) 567-3613

Travelers Diana Baker | dcbaker@travelers.com | (678) 317-7882 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.

SILVER LEVEL

ACG Phil Winn | Phil.Winn@acgworld.com | (678) 458-9899

BFS Group John Gianacaci | JGianacaci@bfsgroup.com | (609) 915-9168 CBIZ Kris St. Martin | kstmartin@cbiz.com | (763) 549-2267

CRA Partners Shea Gabrielleschi | shea@shcpfoundation.org | (901) 529-4773

Eclipse Brand Builders Michael Smith | msmith@eclipsebrandbuilders.com | (678) 890-1140

Newcleus Bank Advisors JR Llewellyn | jr.llewellyn@newcleus.com | 678-427-1015

QwickRate Melissa Wallace | melissa.wallace@qwickrate.com | (678) 797-4062 BRONZE LEVEL

AgoraEversole Craig Eversole | craig@agoraeversole.com | (601) 366-7370

Bahr Consultants, Inc. Hank Bahr | hank@bahrconsultantsinc.com | (865) 694-6098

M ar c h / A p r i l 2 0 2 1 | G e or g i a C o m m un i ti es F i rs t | 43

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GA Communities First March_April 2021

Articles inside

Scholarship Applications

Education Buzz

Life Service Award

Overcoming Credit Risk Uncertainty

Solutions for Success

FHLBank Atlanta Legislative Update

Future of Non-Interest Income

Do’s, Don’ts, and Maybes

PSP: Lisa Small, Warren Averett

State of the CBA Georgia

Faster Payments

Let the Race Begin

Advocacy is Power