Dan Duchnowski, EVP, Chief Banking Officer at Planters First Bank, attended the 2022 on-campus session of the Georgia Banking School as a first-year student. 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.
When asked about the Georgia Banking School, Duchnowski had the following to say, “I enrolled in this program because teamwork, self-improvement, and embracing change are themes that run through every tenet of our core values at Planters First Bank. They are woven into the fabric of who we are, and they’ve helped us establish Planters First Bank as a premier destination for financial services. I truly believe that this program will help me improve in the beliefs defined above and, most importantly, transfer to our bankers and customers.”
During the course of the three-year program, participants complete an annual one-week residence session at the University of Georgia in Athens as well as 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 61 years, this school has been a highly effective resource for developing the leadership talents of Georgia bankers," said Banking School Director Darron Burnette, Division CEO, South Georgia/North Florida, Synovus Bank. “It is common for graduates of the program to go on to become senior executives and bank CEOs as their careers grow.”
Established in 1892, the Georgia Bankers Association is the trade and professional organization representing Georgia’s commercial banks and thrift institutions. For 130 years, the GBA has provided Georgia’s banks with top-quality professional development, revenue-enhancing products and services, government relations and public advocacy.