Brannen Smith with Sea Island Bank, a divison of Synovus Bank in Statesboro has graduated from the Georgia Banking School. The graduation ceremony took place May 8 at the Georgia Center's UGA Hotel and Conference Center in Athens. Smith also was chosen as the Graduate of Distinction from his graduating class.
        Established in 1961, the Georgia Banking School is a three-year specialized school run by the Georgia Bankers Association. The purpose of the school is to prepare bank managers to effectively and profitably serve their hometowns by developing a thorough understanding of banking practices, regulations and management principles.
        During the course of the three-year program, graduates complete an annual one-week residence session at the University of Georgia and complete home study problems between sessions. The school provides a well-balanced curriculum featuring UGA faculty members, veteran bankers and other industry experts and specialists.
        "For the past 54 years this school has been a highly effective resource for developing the leadership talents of Georgia bankers," said Banking School Director Darron Burnette, president and CEO of Sea Island Bank. "It is common for graduates of the program to go on to become senior executives and bank CEOs as their careers grow."
        Twenty-eight Georgia Bankers graduated from the Georgia Banking School this year.
        Established in 1892, the Georgia Bankers Association is the trade and professional organization representing Georgia's commercial banks and thrift institutions. For 123 years, the GBA has provided Georgia's banks with top-quality professional development, revenue-enhancing products and services, government relations and public advocacy.