Financial institutions today, Mar. 2015

Inside this issue:
FFIEC Issues 2 Press Release on
Cyber Security Priorities
Action on 2 Applications for
the Month

News and topics of interest to financial institutions regulated by the Department of Banking and Finance
March 2015
FFIEC Releases Two Statements on Compromised Credentials and Destructive Malware
On March 30, 2015, the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council ("FFIEC") released two statements about techniques financial institutions can use to identify and mitigate cyber attacks that compromise user credentials or use destructive software, known as malware. In addition, the FFIEC provided information on what institutions can do to prepare for and respond to these threats.
In accordance with FFIEC guidance, institutions should:
Securely configure systems and services; Review, update, and test incident response and business continuity plans; Conduct ongoing information security risk assessments; Perform security monitoring, prevention, and risk mitigation; Protect against unauthorized access; Implement and test controls around critical systems regularly; Enhance information security awareness and training programs; and Participate in industry information-sharing forums, such as the Financial Services
Information Sharing and Analysis Center.
The FFIEC also highlighted resources that provide useful information for strengthening user awareness regarding safe online practices.
Access the full FFIEC press release, related statements, and other resources at: http://www.ffiec.gov/press/pr033015.htm

DBF Outreach AND UPCOMING SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Commissioner Hagler will be participating on a regulatory panel on April 23rd at the Southeast Georgia Community Bank Symposium hosted by the Georgia Bankers Association and the Georgia Southern University Center for Excellence in Financial Services. Learn more about this event.
Deputy Commissioner for Supervision Lori Godfrey will be participating in the Community Bankers Association's Banker Regulatory Forum on May 7th. Read more or register for the event.
"Safeguarding Georgia's Financial Services"

Page 2

March 2015

FFIEC Issues Press Release on Cyber Security Priorities
On March 17, 2015, the FFIEC issued a press release outlining its cybersecurity priorities for the remainder of 2015.
The priorities include seven workstreams that stem from a 2014 pilot assessment of cybersecurity readiness at more than 500 financial institutions. The planned work includes the development and issuance of a self-assessment tool this year to assist institutions in evaluating their inherent cybersecurity risk and their risk management capabilities.
Additional focus for the FFIEC's cybersecurity priorities include enhancement of their incident analysis, crisis management, training, and policy development and expansion of their focus on technology service providers' cybersecurity preparedness. Additionally, the FFIEC will continue to improve its collaboration with other agencies and communicate on the importance of cybersecurity awareness and best practices among financial industry participants and regulators.
Access the full FFIEC press release and related resources at: http://www.ffiec.gov/press/pr031715.htm

Action on Applications for the Month:
The following is a summary of official action taken on applications by State Financial Institutions under Title 7, Chapter 1 of the O.C.G.A. and petitions for Certificate of Incorporation of Financial Institutions and other matters of interest during the month of March 2015.

FINANCIAL INSTITUTION United Community Bank Blairsville
Southern Bank & Trust Clarkesville
Synovus Bank Columbus
First Intercontinental Bank Doraville
First Intercontinental Bank Doraville
Ameris Bank Moultrie

APPLICATIONS TO ESTABLISH A BRANCH OFFICE

BRANCH OFFICE Augusta Street (SC) Branch Office 1400 Augusta Street Greenville, SC 29605 Greenville County

APPROVAL 03-31-2014

Blairsville Branch Office 361 Blue Ridge Street Blairsville, GA 30512 Union County

11-04-2014

Demonbreun Street Branch Office 1033 Demonbreun Street Nashville, TN 37203 Davidson County

Pending

Old Denton Road Branch Office 2541 Old Denton Road Carrollton, TX 75006 Dallas County

03-16-2015

Norcross Branch Office 5495 Jimmy Carter Boulevard Norcross, GA 30093 Gwinnett County

03-05-2015

Albany Mall Branch Office 2630 Dawson Road Albany, GA 31707 Dougherty County

03-11-2015

BEGIN BUSINESS 03-02-2015
03-16-2015

March 2015 FINANCIAL INSTITUTION Ameris Bank Moultrie
Ameris Bank Moultrie
Ameris Bank Moultrie
Ameris Bank Moultrie
Ameris Bank Moultrie
Ameris Bank Moultrie
Ameris Bank Moultrie
Ameris Bank Moultrie
Ameris Bank Moultrie
Ameris Bank Moultrie
Ameris Bank Moultrie
Ameris Bank Moultrie

BRANCH OFFICE East Albany Branch Office 2111 E. Oglethorpe Expressway Albany, GA 31705 Dougherty County
Slappey Drive Branch Office 1100 Dawson Road Albany, GA 31707 Dougherty County
Blountstown Branch Office 16763 SE Pear Street Blountstown, FL 32424 Calhoun County
Cross City Branch Office 79 NE 121st Street Cross City, FL 32628 Dixie County
Defuniak Springs Branch Office 138 US Highway 90 E Defuniak Springs, FL 32435 Walton County
Dublin Mall Branch Office 2101 Veterans Boulevard Dublin, GA 31021 Laurens County
Fitzgerald Branch Office 115 East Central Avenue Fitzgerald, GA 31750 Ben Hill County
High Springs Branch Office 35 North Main Street High Springs, FL 32643 Alachua County
Fort Stewart Branch Office 102 W General Screven Way Hinesville, GA 31313 Liberty County
Jasper Branch Office 105 N.E. 2nd Avenue Jasper, FL 32052 Hamilton County
Gleason's Mall Branch Office 2357 W US Highway 90 Lake City, FL 32055 Columbia County
South 1st Street Branch Office 355 SW Bentley Place Lake City, FL 32025 Columbia County

APPROVAL 03-11-2015

Page 3 BEGIN BUSINESS

03-11-2015

03-23-2015

03-23-2015

03-23-2015

03-11-2015

03-11-2015

03-23-2015

03-11-2015

03-23-2015

03-23-2015

03-23-2015

Page 4 FINANCIAL INSTITUTION Ameris Bank Moultrie
Ameris Bank Moultrie
Ameris Bank Moultrie
Ameris Bank Moultrie
Ameris Bank Moultrie
Associated Credit Union Norcross
The Piedmont Bank Dunwoody

BRANCH OFFICE Live Oak Branch Office 201 Ohio Avenue S Live Oak, FL 32064 Suwannee County
S. Main Street Branch Office 300 S. Main Street Moultrie, GA 31768 Colquitt County
Thomasville Gateway Branch Office 14977 US Highway 19 South Thomasville, GA 31792 Thomas County
Tifton Main Branch Office 127 First Street Tifton, GA 31794 Tift County
Waycross Main Branch Office 401 Carswell Avenue Waycross, GA 31501 Ware County
Forest Park Branch Office 842 Main Street Forest Park, GA 30297-1465 Clayton County
Dunwoody Branch Office 1725 Mount Vernon Road Dunwoody, GA 30338 DeKalb County

APPROVAL 03-23-2015

March 2015 BEGIN BUSINESS

03-11-2015

03-11-2015

03-11-2015

03-11-2015

03-19-2015

03/24/2015

PREVIOUS NAME The Farmers Bank Forsyth

NOTICE OF CHANGE IN NAME
NEW NAME Persons Banking Company

APPROVAL 03-13-2015

EFFECTIVE 03-30-2015

FINANCIAL INSTITUTION (SURVIVOR) Community & Southern Bank Atlanta, GA
United Community Bank Blairsville, GA
Georgia United Credit Union Duluth, GA
The Southern Credit Union Fayetteville, GA

FINANCIAL INSTITUTION MERGERS

MERGED INSTITUTION Community Business Bank Cumming, GA
First National Bank Lenoir City, TN
HealthCom Federal Credit Union Dalton, GA
GDC Federal Credit Union Newnan, GA

APPROVAL Pending

EFFECTIVE

Pending

01-26-2015

03-01-2015

Pending

March 2015
FINANCIAL INSTITUTION (SURVIVOR)
Ameris Bank Moultrie, GA
Renasant Bank Tupelo, MS

MERGED INSTITUTION
Merchants and Southern Bank Gainesville, FL
HeritageBank of the South Albany, GA

Page 5

APPROVAL Pending

EFFECTIVE

Pending

APPLICATIONS TO BECOME A BANK HOLDING COMPANY AND/OR TO ACQUIRE VOTING STOCK OF A FINANCIAL INSTITUTION

BANK HOLDING COMPANY

TO ACQUIRE

APPROVAL

FORMATIONS NOA Bancorp, Inc. Duluth, GA

NOA Bank Duluth, GA

Pending

ACQUISITIONS United Community Banks, Inc. Blairsville, GA

MoneyTree Corporation Lenoir City, TN

Pending

Ameris Bancorp Moultrie, GA

Merchants & Southern Banks of Florida, Incorporated Gainesville, FL

Pending

Renasant Corporation Tupelo, MS

Heritage Financial Group, Inc. Albany, GA

03-02-2015

OFFICE CLOSING
This is a reminder that the Department of Banking and Finance will be closed on Monday, April 27th for Confederate Memorial Day.

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DEPARTMENT OF BANKING AND FINANCE
2990 Brandywine Road Suite 200
Atlanta, Georgia 30341-5565
Phone: (770) 986-1633 Fax: (770) 986-1654 or 1655 Email: dbfpress@dbf.state.ga.us

March 2015
The Department is the state agency that regulates and examines Georgia state-chartered banks, state-chartered credit unions, and state-chartered trust companies. The Department also has responsibility for the supervision, regulation, and examination of Merchant Acquirer Limited Purpose Banks (MALPBs) chartered in Georgia.
In addition, the Department has regulatory and/or licensing authority over mortgage brokers, lenders and processors, mortgage loan originators, check cashers, sellers-issuers of payment instruments, money transmitters, international banking organizations, and bank holding companies conducting business in Georgia.
Our Mission is to promote safe, sound, competitive financial services in Georgia through innovative, responsive regulation and supervision.
Our Vision is to be the best financial services industry regulator in the country Progressive. Proactive. Service-Oriented.

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