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                             September 2009  

The premier monthly education and training resource for banks and bankers.

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.

In This Issue:
Bankers Go Back to School, Too, with GBA-U

And you thought it was just time to get your kids in gear and back into the classroom. Why not take the opportunity today to do a little back-to-school thinking and planning for yourself? GBA University has tons of valuable, unique and exclusive ongoing education and professional development offerings. And, with bank budget season starting, don’t overlook critical educational planning. Our conferences, seminars, webinars and AIB courses give you the latest updates about changes in our business, new rules and regulations and how to better serve your customers or win new business. Your bank and your customers will benefit from your participation in ongoing education and training. So, read on to find out the latest about the GBA University’s educational resources to empower your success.
 
Fall Economic Forums Start Next Week: Sign up Now
With the current issues facing bank management today, it is crucial to keep abreast of vital regulatory and economic information needed to survive the challenges and prepare for growth as the economy recovers. To help, Georgia Bankers Association will host three Fall Economic Forums on Sept. 9 in Albany, Sept. 10 in Savannah and Sept. 22 in Atlanta. Georgia Banking Commissioner Rob Braswell will address each Forum to discuss current issues in bank regulation, the banking climate from the Department’s view and be available to answer your most pressing questions. Dr. Roger Tutterow, professor of Economics at Mercer University, Atlanta, will be on hand to provide a timely overview of the current national and regional economic environment. The focus will be on the determinants of the current recession including the roles of energy prices, the “credit crunch” and the ongoing corrections in the residential and commercial real estate markets. As a new component, after an overview of the national economic drivers, Dr. Tutterow will facilitate a panel comprised of local business leaders who will share their insight on the business climates in their communities. With questions, please contact GBA’s Susie McGehee at 404.420.2010.
Stay Ahead of the Compliance Curve, Attend this Year's Compliance Conference Sept. 17-18
As a compliance officer, now more than ever, it is critical to stay on top of all those ever changing and increasing rules and regulations in the banking industry. To help you with this monumental task, GBA will host its second Compliance Conference scheduled for Sept. 17-18 at The Idle Hour Country Club in Macon. Topics include compliance issues with loan modifications, compliance risk assessments for community banks, current developments in State and Federal Banking Law, the National Flood Protection Act, effective compliance training sessions, how to administer escrow accounts, Suspicious Activity Reports for employee cases, and developing a risk-based SAR reporting program. The 2009-2010 Compliance Committee has planned an exceptional agenda. For more information or to register, please contact GBA’s Marybeth Jones at 404.420.2032.
Economy, Asset Quality Hot Topics for President/CEO Conference Oct. 4-6
This year’s President/CEO Conference will offer exclusive information about the economy from Joe Keating, Chief Investment Officer, RBC Bank, Raleigh, North Carolina; current trends in community bank asset quality related to commercial real estate lending from Steve Powell, President of Steve H. Powell & Company, Statesboro; and how to lead in difficult economic times from Dr. Bruce Bickel, Founder, Transformational Leadership Group, Pittsburg, Penn. The Conference is Oct. 4-6 at The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation, Lake Oconee. This event is sponsored by the Community Bankers Committee and the GBA Board of Directors and attracts bank leaders from across Georgia. GBA has reserved a block of rooms at the Ritz-Carlton at a valuable rate of $159 per night for single or double occupancy. To reserve your room, please contact the hotel directly at 706.467.0600. Be sure to tell them you are with the Georgia Bankers Association. The GBA room block for the conference will expire Friday, Sept. 4. With questions, please contact GBA’s Susie McGehee at 404.420.2010.
Bank Director Liability, Regulatory Panel Highlight Bank Counsel Conference Scheduled for Oct. 4-6
An economic update, the growing role of the bank director and exposure and D&O issues highlight this year’s annual Bank Counsel Conference scheduled for Oct. 4-6 at The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation, Lake Oconee. Senior officials from financial institution regulatory agencies will also be on hand to provide guidance on what to expect during the 2010 exams. Held in conjunction with GBA’s President/CEO Conference, this event will also provide CLE Credits for those attending. GBA has reserved a block of rooms at the Ritz-Carlton at a valuable rate of $159 per night for single or double occupancy. To reserve your room, please contact the hotel directly at 706.467.0600. Be sure to tell them you are with the Georgia Bankers Association. The GBA room block for the conference will expire Friday, Sept. 4. With questions, please contact GBA’s Susie McGehee at 404.420.2010.
How to Set Yourself Apart: Marketing Conference Focuses on the Future
GBA’s Marketing Conference has a history of providing outstanding speakers and topics that relate to marketing areas. This year will be no exception, having sessions that will be of interest to bankers that manage the area of marketing within their banks. This year’s conference is scheduled for October 27-28 at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta. The theme for this year’s conference is “Marketing Evolution: What’s Next." We will reflect on this theme throughout the program. Topics include: communications and marketing – adapting how we tell our story, peer exchange and an interactive marketing workshop. For more information, please contact GBA’s Marybeth Jones at 404.420.2032.
Early Registration Underway for Georgia Banking School
The Class of 2012 is now forming and will meet the week of May 2-7, 2010 at the University of Georgia in Athens. The Georgia Banking School is designed not only to launch the careers of future banking leaders in both operations and credit, but to also make a positive difference in our banks each day. The curriculum is thorough and rigorous. Its reputation for providing superior preparation for management is referenced frequently in executive resumes of bank leaders throughout Georgia. For more details, please click on the GBS Fact Sheet or contact GBA’s Marybeth Jones at 404.420.2032.
GBA-U’s Bank Trainer Peer Group Meeting Scheduled for Oct. 29 in Macon
Please join us for the GBA-U’s Bank Trainer Peer Group where you'll hear first hand from bank executives about their beliefs in training, and one bank will share its detailed training philosophy. Bring your training calendar, too, because we will end the meeting with a facilitated discussion around education planning for 2010. The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 29, at Idle Hour Country Club in Macon hosted by Atlantic Southern Bank. With questions about the meeting or to register, contact GBA’s Alison Moreau at 404.420.2034.

Career Paths for Bankers: Helping Boost Deposit Acquisition, Retention

Winning new deposit business and retaining your best depositors is critical these days. GBA-U’s Career Paths for BankersTM is one resource you can turn to for making sure your management is structured properly and trained in the most effective ways to ensure strong deposit business. Several of the identified positions have deposit-related responsibilities, and ongoing training is offered related to deposits as well as other critical job competencies and knowledge. Here’s a quick glance at three positions that have deposit-related responsibilities or oversight roles and upcoming training available. These are just the courses offered this month. Of course, there’s much more. Visit our Career Paths for BankersTM 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 BankersTM. With questions, contact GBA's Alison Moreau at 404.420.2034.
 

 
Let’s Get Started:  AIB Instructor-Led Online Courses for September
American Institute of Banking (AIB)Here are the instructor-led AIB online classes offered in September. These courses are instructor-facilitated with weekly assignments, and can be taken from your home or your office. All you need is a computer, printer and Internet access. (Classes with an asterisk * require Microsoft Excel Software.) There is still availability in these classes. Please register as soon as possible to secure a seat in the class.

Please see the AIB Online Course Schedule for a complete listing or call GBA’s Alison Moreau at 404.420.2034 with questions.
Coming this Fall, AIB Analyzing Financial Statements Classroom Course
AIB Analyzing Financial Statements is a must-have course for commercial loan officers, credit analysts and trainees who have a basic knowledge of accounting principles and practices and a familiarity with the commercial lending process.  Class will begin Tuesday, Sept. 15, and meet every Tuesday from 6-9 p.m. for 10 weeks ending Nov. 17. The registration fee is $270, which includes the cost of the textbook. This class will be taught by Peter Faser of Sterne Agee at Northcreek Office Park, 3715 Northside Parkway, Building 200, Atlanta, GA 30327. (Need more incentive? check out the comments below about Peter's online Overview of Financial Statements course.) With questions about this course or to register, contact GBA’s Alison Moreau at 404.420.2034.
In Their Words…Feedback about GBA-U and Our Overview of Financial Statements Online Course
 
"Last fall I took an online course, Overview of Financial Statements. It was easy to navigate and helpful. I just completed a classroom course, Analyzing Financial Statements. It was a comprehensive class and a perfect review of my credit training in the management training program at my former bank.

You have an excellent teacher running the class, Peter Faser. He is extremely knowledgeable, explained the material thoroughly and was a good speaker adding humor at appropriate times. He was also available to help with any questions or further review."  

 

Experience the quality, depth and thoroughness offered by GBA-U learning for yourself.

Sign up for a conference, seminar, webinar, school or AIB course today!

Show Up: Why You Should Attend an In-person Seminar
What are the advantages of attending an in-person seminar? Being there in person 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!

  • Loan Documentation–Sept. 10, Macon
    This one-day seminar will cover how to document the condition of the collateral, the condition of the title and the condition of the borrowers and guarantors. This seminar is designed for loan officers, loan administrators and credit administrators at every level. Keep your records in compliance and your customers satisfied by keeping up to speed with the basics of loan documentation.

  • Understanding Deferred Taxes – Sept. 16, Macon
    This seminar will walk through how the expense is computed, the practical aspects of making estimated payments and what creates the deferred tax balances that remain on your balance sheet. Income tax is one of the largest expense items for most banks, yet it is often one of the least understood line items.

  • IRA Update and Review Workshop – Sept. 22, Gainesville & Sept. 23, Macon
    The session is designed for IRA personnel in New Accounts, CDs, Trust, Investments and Savings Departments who are involved with opening, selling, and administering IRA accounts. This is considered an “intermediate” workshop for those with two years or more of experience. This comprehensive seminar will provide a thorough update and review of the significant final regulations regarding the Pension Protection Act and other IRA legislation.

  • Introduction to Consumer Lending – Oct. 14, Macon
    This program is an introduction and a practical approach to consumer lending.  It is designed to assist participants in understanding the credit process, to improve the quality of credit decisions and to increase their confidence skills. 

  • Advanced Loan Documentation – Oct. 22, 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.
Register for GBA Webinars Today
Just a reminder that GBA will offer the following webinars this month:
 

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.
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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