Georgia Banking Company (GBC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Jeff Kraus to Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Margaret Whieldon to Chief Experience Officer (CXO). These strategic appointments to the executive team underscore GBC’s commitment to driving financial excellence and enhancing the customer and employee experience.
Jeff Kraus, who has been with GBC since 2021, has been promoted to Chief Financial Officer following the retirement of Rob Cochran. Jeff’s extensive knowledge of GBC’s strategic goals and vision and his diverse background make him exceptionally well-suited for this role. Over the past 25 years, Jeff has held various positions, including Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer at other financial institutions. As CFO, Jeff will oversee all financial operations, ensuring fiscal responsibility, strategic financial planning, and continued growth. His commitment to excellence and collaborative approach have earned him the respect and trust of his colleagues and industry peers. Jeff holds his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Liberty University.
In addition, GBC is pleased to announce that Margaret Whieldon has been promoted to Chief Experience Officer (CXO). Margaret brings a wealth of experience and leadership, having served community banks as a senior marketing professional for over 25 years. She has been with GBC since 2021. The new role of Chief Experience Officer is pivotal in shaping a high-performance culture and aligning strategies with GBC’s vision to be the Bank of Choice. Margaret will be responsible for developing and executing customer and employee experience strategies to align with the company’s goals, fostering a collaborative culture, and championing the voice of the customer at the executive level. Her strategic vision and passion for excellence will drive efforts to ensure exceptional customer and employee experiences. Margaret earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration and marketing from Tennessee Tech University.
“I am pleased to welcome Jeff and Margaret to the bank’s executive team,” said Bartow Morgan, Jr., CEO. Their extensive experience and leadership will be invaluable as we drive our continued success together.”
About Georgia Banking Company
Georgia Banking Company (GBC) is a community bank headquartered in Atlanta, GA. As of March 31, 2025, GBC has approximately $2.5 billion in total assets, which is a testament to its unwavering commitment to financial strength and stability. Guided by the leadership of fifth-generation banker CEO Bartow Morgan, Jr., GBC’s vision is to be the Bank of Choice for Metro Atlanta. The dedicated and experienced team at GBC shares a profound passion for service excellence and community impact. In support of its commitment to fostering economic growth and supporting local communities, GBC was recently recognized as #1 for customer experience based on data collected by CSP. Additionally, GBC has been recognized by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution as a Top Workplace for two consecutive years, 2023-2024. To learn more about GBC, please visit GeorgiaBanking.com. Member FDIC
