Eddie Hoyle
Chair, GBA Credit Committee
Chief Banking Officer, EVP
Colony Bank
Fitzgerald, GA
Q: What drew you to banking as a career, and what has kept you there?
A: I had two family members who were in banking. My mom worked in a bank while I was in high school and college. My great uncle was a director for a community bank. I also had several college professors at North Georgia College who suggested banking to me. I have remained in banking throughout my career because of the great satisfaction I have received from helping my clients meet their financial dreams.
Q: What was your first job, and was there a lesson you learned there that you still use today?
A: My first job was a collections officer with First National Bank of Gainesville, Hall County. My time as a collector gave me many opportunities to study the characteristics of borrowers who struggled to make timely payments. It provided insight as to the differences between borrowers who paid on time and those who paid late.
Q: How has involvement with GBA and its educational programs affected your career?
A: Networking with my peers has always been instrumental in my career growth as a banker, and GBA has always been there providing great opportunities to not only network, but also enhance my knowledge. GBA's educational programs are top notch!
Q: If you weren’t working in banking, what would you be doing instead?
A: I gave serious consideration to law school. Even early in my banking career, I considered going back to school to study law. However, had I chosen a different path, I don't think I would have received any greater satisfaction than banking has provided me.
Q: What would someone be surprised to learn about you?
A: People who know me only on a business / professional level are sometimes surprised to learn that I am a bluegrass musician. I grew up in a musical family and consider the banjo to be one of my better accomplishments. Music has always been a great hobby for my family as well as my children.