About GBA University
GBA University is the virtual campus for all of GBA’s learning, career planning and networking offerings that are essential for the continuing education and development for Georgia’s career bankers.

GBA-U is about YOUR continued learning:

• In-person seminars

• Webinars

• Banking Schools

• AIB Courses

• Conferences

Check the GBA-U home page for all the details.

Just because the year is drawing to a close doesn't mean GBA University is slowing down the pace of providing valuable new information, educational and developmental opportunities for you and your bank. GBA's Credit Conference on Dec. 3-4, for example, includes a timely update about new underwriting guidance that regulators have provided that can help you work with your customers and perhaps improve the quality of your loan portfolio. And, it's just the right time to start scheduling training and development to start the new year off with a bang. Our annual Legislative Reception day on Jan. 13 now includes an afternoon Economic and Policy Update session featuring top economist Roger Tutterow and our top state banking regulator, Rob Braswell. Of course, there's the regular slate of terrific schools, AIB offerings, seminars and Webinars to round out your ongoing educational and developmental plans. So, dig in and sign up. Cheers to a joyous holiday season for you and your family, and Happy New Year to all!
 

In Their Words: Bank CEOs Tout Value of Training During Peer Group Meeting
 

“A well-trained staff increases efficiency and productivity. Either or both of these factors

can affect a bank’s bottom line tremendously.”
Spence Mullis, President & CEO of Morris Bank, Dublin

“In today’s economy, banks must do more with fewer employees. Because of proper training, our staff has been able to take on more responsibility without sacrificing efficiency. That definitely saves the bank money... And, with fraud increasing almost on a daily basis, it is critical that staff is trained and knows what to do. A well trained employee is better equipped to ask the right questions and stop a potential financial loss for the bank.”
Dan Blanton, President & CEO of Georgia Bank & Trust Company, Augusta

“Training your staff increases customer satisfaction which increases business and bottom line benefits.  We all do the same thing.  But a well trained staff will help you ensure that your bank does it BEST.”
Mark Stevens, CEO of Atlantic Southern Financial Group, Inc., Macon

Career Paths for Bankers: Serving Customers, Making Loans and People Power

Great service and great bankers can separate you from your competitors. GBA University’s Career Paths for Bankers^TM is the fast and easy way to identify job-specific ongoing development courses for key staff members. This month’s focuses are positions that have daily service and personnel responsibilities that can make all the difference for your customers.

These are just the courses offered this month. Of course, there’s much more. Visit our Career Paths for Bankers^TM web site for a full listing of the 44 bank jobs, skills and competencies for each and all GBA-U career development offerings for each. Don’t forget, GBA Strategic Partner TalentQuest can also provide an enhanced performance management system based on our Career Paths for Bankers^TM. With questions, contact GBA's Alison Moreau at 404.420.2034.
 

• Analyzing Financial Statements*, 16 weeks, $485 (Dec. 7)

• Economics for Bankers, 16 weeks, $405 (Dec. 7)

• Financial Accounting*, 16 weeks, $485 (Dec. 7)

• General Accounting*, 16 weeks, $515 (Dec. 14)

• Law & Banking:  Principles, 16 weeks, $455 (Dec. 7)

• Principles of Banking, 16 weeks, $405 (Dec. 14)

• Problem Loan Workouts, 6 weeks, $315 (Dec. 14)

• Today’s Teller*, 8 weeks, $315 (Dec. 7)

• Trust Basics, 16 weeks, $405 (Dec. 7)

• Understanding Your Construction Borrower, 10 weeks, $405 (Dec. 7)

Please see the AIB Online Course Schedule for a complete listing or call GBA’s Alison Moreau at 404.420.2034 with questions.

AIB Problem Loan Workouts: This six-week online instructor-led course explores the four major components of problem loan management. This course is for commercial lenders, those in training to be commercial lenders, business bankers, small business lenders, credit analysts, loan review personnel and other bank personnel interested in the subject of problem loan management and resolution.  After completing this program, you will be able to:

• Understand the element of and importance of early prevention and detection of problem loans

• Understand the process of problem loan situation evaluation to determine the bank's position with the borrower

• Understand the negotiation process to determine the best course of action to pursue with the borrower to resolve the problem

• Understand the process of problem resolution and options for workout or liquidation of the loan

Topics covered in this course include:

• Problem Loan Detection: How problem loans can be avoided and how loans can be managed to make early detection possible.

• Problem Loan Situation Evaluation: What must be done to confirm the bank's position with the borrower in preparation for negotiation with the borrower.

• Problem Loan Negotiation: Heavily revised during the past year, this section covers the negotiation process to determine the best course of action to resolve problem loans.

• Problem Loan Resolution: Identifies the alternatives for resolution and how to proceed with options for workout or liquidation.

The next offering for this course is scheduled for December 14. Click here for more information about this course or to register for this course, AIB Problem Loan Workouts, or for further information contact GBA’s Alison Moreau at 404.420.2034.

Show Up: Four Great In-person Seminars You Should Consider

An important aspect of any job is to receive great training. That’s why GBA-U offers a variety of in-person seminars. What are the advantages of attending an in-person seminar? It allows you to have personal interaction with the speaker, ask specific questions, participate in peer discussions and truly have a more memorable experience while receiving pertinent information. In September and October GBA-U will host the in-person seminars listed below. For more details, click on the seminar of your choice. See you there!

• Advanced Loan Documentation – Dec. 9, Macon
  Prevention of loan losses through implementation of proper loan structuring and documentation techniques is the objective of this seminar. This follow-up course to Loan Documentation for Lenders will focus on more complex and problematic lending transactions.

• Collections & Recovery – Dec. 10, Macon
  Designed for personnel responsible for recovering money or collateral on behalf of the bank, this one-day seminar will provide a comprehensive overview of the fundamental legal principles involved in the collection process. Topics to be discussed include collateral documents, litigation process, borrowers defenses, judgments, levies, garnishments and much more.

• Bank Secrecy Act – Dec. 16, Macon
  BSA compliance is much more than completing CTRs, SARs, and a $3,000 Log. It includes a risk assessment of the bank’s customers to identify “high-risk” accounts as well as comprehensive internal audit and independent review procedures. Many banks are struggling with the volume of all this work.

• Analyzing Commercial Financial Statements – Dec. 17, Macon
  Designed for entry-level commercial lending officers, credit trainees and analysts, this workshop will introduce and use a comprehensive and consistent approach to analyzing commercial financial statements. Topics to be discussed in this one-day workshop include cash-flow analysis, financial projections, case studies for practical application of concepts and much more. Emphasis is placed on a practical methodology to help bankers evaluate a company’s creditworthiness.

All webinars are live and allow time for questions and answers. The $250 registration fee gives you access to one web site “seat,” one telephone site license and all handout materials. If you can’t attend the webinar, you may buy the audio CD, handout materials and a password to see the information online. With questions, please call GBA’s Courtenay Pope at 404.420.2015.

If you like GBA-U Edge be sure and forward it to others at your bank. And, if you think someone at your bank should get it, send us an e-mail with their name, title and e-mail address and we’ll add them to our monthly distribution. There’s no better way to share and enhance the value of GBA University as a resource for your bank’s continued success.

Georgia Bankers Association • 50 Hurt Plaza, Suite 1050, Atlanta, GA 30303 • Phone 404.522.1501 • Fax 404.522.9848 • www.gabankers.com