SPOTLIGHT
GET TO KNOW 2023-2024 CBA CHAIRMAN NEIL STEVENS Neil Stevens, President & CEO, Oconee State Bank, Watkinsville, was elected 2023-2024 CBA Chair at CBA’s Annual Convention in June. Neil was gracious about answering a few questions so our members can get to know him a little better. Take a moment to learn about Neil, his bank, personal life and what community banking issues are important to him. How did you get started in banking? What was your first job? My brother Mark Stevens inspired me to give banking a try when I graduated from Mercer with my Finance and Communications degree back in 1989. I started to work for C&S Bank in Macon, Georgia in 1989 on their Management Associate Training Program. How long have you been in banking? How long President & CEO? I have been in banking for 34 years and in the President/CEO role for 11 years. Four years at KeyWorth Bank in Johns Creek and 7 years here at Oconee State Bank. What issues are important to you with regards to community banking? All things regulatory. We must constantly fight for a balance between appropriate regulation and extreme regulation that precludes us from serving our customers. Beyond that, I have a passion to make our industry relevant and attractive to young people graduating from college. This is such an incredible profession. But financial institutions must be flexible, creative, engaging, and make it an attractive environment that attracts top new talent. Tell us a little about Oconee State Bank (little history), # of employees, a specific niche you serve, etc. We began in 1960 in Watkinsville, Georgia by a group of talented and passionate business leaders who wanted to create a local bank for the local citizens of the community. Their vision is what made the bank what it is today. Over the past seven years, we have grown that vision. We are now in Athens, Gwinnett County, Central Georgia, and made an acquisition of 1 4 | ww w.cbaofga.co m | Summer 2023
a mutual savings and loan based in Elberton – Elberton Federal Savings and Loan. We started an SBA division, rebranded our mortgage operation, and increased the talent level around the executive table. We have around 85 employees and are around $600 million in assets. Our specific niche is small to medium sized business where we can create extreme value in order to gain the full relationship from those businesses. How did you become involved with CBA? I have been involved in the CBA for a number of years. Although, it was not until the last five years that I have been involved on committees and the board. Our bank has been involved in the CBA for many, many years! Education background/banking schools: I have a B.S. Degree in Finance and Communications for Mercer University in Macon, GA. I also attended an executive banking school at UVA’s Darden School of Business. What do you enjoy doing outside of work? I LOVE UGA football!!! And all UGA sports for that matter. I love working out and playing golf, working at OSB, and spending time with family. Tell us a little about your family. I am happiest when surrounded by my family – my beautiful wife of 35 years, Tricia. And my two sons Caleb and Colin and our beautiful daughters in law, Grace and Sarah, and our “Little Bear.” Little Bear is our little 16-month-old grandson, Wesley. Fun fact - I was featured on the TV show, Rescue 911. Anything else you would like to add: Nothing would be possible without my faith in Jesus Christ. To God be the Glory!