Georgia Code Title 7. Banking and Finance § 7-1-535

(a) If the laws of the United States require the approval of the merger, share exchange, or consolidation by any federal agency, the department may, at its option, after its approval, retain its notice to the Secretary of State until it receives notice of the decision of such agency.  If such agency shall refuse to give its approval, the department may, at its option, notify the parties to the plan that the department's approval has been rescinded for that reason.  If such agency gives its approval, the department shall deliver its written approval to the Secretary of State for issuance of a certificate of merger, share exchange, or consolidation by the Secretary of State and shall notify the parties to the plan.

(b) If all the taxes, fees, and charges required by law shall have been paid and if the name of the resulting bank or trust company in a merger or consolidation continues to be reserved or is available on the records of the Secretary of State, upon receipt of the written approval of the department, the Secretary of State shall issue to the resulting bank or trust company or the acquiring corporation in a share exchange a certificate of merger, share exchange, or consolidation with the approved articles of merger or consolidation attached thereto and shall retain a copy of such certificate, articles, and approval by the department.