Legislature Passes Bank Tax Relief/Sets Adjournment Day
The Georgia General Assembly spent most of this week on budget issues and a compromise was reached on the mid-year budget thereby clearing the way for the full fiscal 2008 budget to be passed next week.  Our members will be delighted to learn the Senate passed H.B. 441 by a wide margin thereby clearing the bill for the Governor's consideration.  This bill repeals language adopted in 2005 which has created a substantial new state tax liability for many of our members who have a portion of their investment portfolios in U.S. Government obligations.  The state auditor estimated the total new taxes raised by the 2005 legislation was as much as $12.5 million with over $7 million coming from banks.  Our thanks to Senate Rules Committee Chairman, Don Balfour (R-Snellville) for clearing the bill for full senate consideration, and to Sen. Jack Murphy (R-Cumming) for ably handling the bill on the Senate floor.  In other legislative news this week, the House passed the Department of Banking and Finance's annual housekeeping bill.  As the bill was amended in the House Banks and Banking Committee, the bill must now go back to the Senate for further action.  The General Assembly adopted a resolution calling for final adjournment of the 2007 Session for Friday, April 20.

Foreclosures in the Headlines
The continued rise in foreclosures, especially in the subprime market, has been the subject of several high-profile news conferences this week.  A coalition of advocacy groups called for a six-month moratorium on certain subprime mortgage foreclosures. The groups called on lenders to help affected homeowners by refinancing subprime loans into 30-year fixed mortgages. House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank (D-MA) disagreed saying that a moratorium was not possible, but did say doing something to stop foreclosures was a priority.  The Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America announced a billion dollar expansion of an existing program with two major banks to help homeowners refinance into traditional mortgages.  Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and others called on the Federal Government to spend hundreds of millions of dollars to help troubled borrowers avoid losing their homes with the money to be distributed through community groups.  And, USA Today ran a story in Thursday's edition highlighting a number of metro-Atlanta neighborhoods where foreclosures have been rampant and what the result has been on other property values.  We expect to continue to see these kinds of headlines in the coming months as more adjustable rate mortgages reset.

FDIC Issues Policy on Identity Theft
In what many observers felt was already the rules, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) announced this week a new supervisory policy on identity theft reminding financial institutions of their continuing obligation to protect the privacy of customers' nonpublic personal information.  The policy explains FDIC's approach to addressing identity theft, and it contains standards that institutions are expected to meet to protect customers' sensitive information and to notify them if compromises occur.  Identity theft still remains a concern of most bank customers and our members are reminded of GBA's ID Theft Public Awareness Campaign and the collateral material you may use with your own bank's efforts to educate your customers.  With questions about the material, please contact GBA's Susie McGehee at (404) 420-2010.

Payday Lending Proposal Released by Defense Department
The Department of Defense (DoD) has finally issued its proposed regulation implementing what is known as the "Talent Amendment" which was in the  2007 Defense Authorization Act.  A number of our members who bank military personnel and their families had contacted GBA expressing concern about the proposal.  GBA joined a number of our state bankers association colleagues and the American Bankers Association in calling on the DoD to narrowly focus the regulation on what Sen. Talent intended to cover:  payday lending and similar types of transactions.  While we are still reviewing the policy, it appears that many of our suggestions were considered and the policy is much more narrow than many expected it to be.  We had asked that traditional financial institutions like banks be exempted outright.  Although the policy does not go this far, DoD is seeking comment on whether the final regulation should exclude financial institutions and their subsidiaries generally, or in limited circumstances. The proposal's definition of "consumer credit" excludes residential mortgage loans, refinancings, reverse mortgages, home equity loans, home equity lines of credit, and car and personal property loans secured by the vehicle or personal property procured. The consumer-credit definition instead focuses on three products -- payday loans, vehicle title loans and refund anticipation loans. There will be a 60-day comment period on the proposed regulation following its publication in the Federal Register.

Rural Development and Lending Conference Hotel Room Block Expires April 16
The Rural Development and Lending Conference is scheduled for May 17-18 at the King & Prince Beach and Golf Resort on St. Simons Island.  The 2006-2007 Agriculture Commiittee has planned an informative agenda.  Topics include market trends and the economy, analyzing Ag credits, FSA Guaranteed Lending, current legal issues, commodity hedging, and GPS potential savings.  For hotel reservations, please call the hotel directly at (912) 638-3631.  Please click here to register, or call GBA’s Marybeth Jones at (404) 420-2032 with questions.

Security Conference a Big Success
Our thanks to GBA's Security Committee chaired by Brian Frederick of Altamaha Bank and Trust Company in Vidalia for planning such an outstanding Security Conference held last week in Savannah.  The conference drew security officers from banks across Georgia and they met for two days learning from industry experts, participating in peer exchanges and interacting with various law enforcement officials and regulators who also were participating in the conference.

Register Today for AIB Online Courses
Just a reminder that the following AIB Online classes begin on May 7.  Please register two weeks in advance to secure a seat in the class.  These courses are instructor-facilitated with weekly assignments.  They can be taken from the comfort of your home or the convenience of your office. All you need is a computer, printer and Internet access. (Classes with an asterisk * require Microsoft Excel Software.)

• ABA Online Review Course for the CTFA Exam (open enrollment), 12 weeks, $795

• IRA Online Institute, 12 weeks, $1,495

• Law & Banking:  Applications, 16 weeks, $435

• Money & Banking, 16 weeks, $385

• Principles of Banking, 16 weeks, $385

• Retirement Plan Services – Law & Regulations, 6 weeks, $795

• Supervisor Certificate, 16 weeks, $695

• Today's Teller: Developing Basic Skills* (open enrollment), 8 weeks, $285

There is still LIMITED availability in the following AIB Online classes beginning the week of April 30.  Please register as soon as possible to secure a seat in the class.

• Fundamentals of Consumer Lending, 5 weeks, $230

• Marketing Financial Services, 16 weeks, $385

• Trust Basics, 16 weeks, $385

Please see the AIB Online Course Schedule for a complete listing or call GBA’s Alison Moreau at (404) 420-2034 with questions.

Annual Convention Website Pages Can Help Plan Your Trip
The 2007 Annual Convention at the fabulous Ritz-Carlton Beach Resort, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands promises to be an educational and memorable event you won’t want to miss!  This year's agenda includes nationally known speakers discussing many of the hot issues facing bankers today.  A special session for directors is also planned.  Networking opportunities abound in the breakout sessions, social and sporting events. Golf with us at The Blue Tip Golf Resort, view beautiful aquatic life on a genuine submarine, tour Seven Mile Beach in a glass bottom boat, enjoy the thrill of scuba diving among the Cayman's legendary marine life, or play among the Southern Stingrays at Stingray City.  GBA has reserved a block of rooms at the Ritz Carlton at a reduced rate of $279 single or double per night.  Reservations may be made by calling The Ritz-Carlton directly at (800) 241-3333 or (345) 943-9000.   Be sure to say you are with the GBA to receive this special rate.  The cut-off date for reservations is May 15, 2007.  After this date, all reservations will be subject to prevailing rate and space availability.  Please click here to register online or contact GBA’s Susie McGehee at (404) 420-2010 with questions about the Convention.  If you have already registered and want to begin making plans for your trip while you're on the island, GBA's convention website is full of information to help.

Leadership Conference Slated for mid-July
Registrations are coming in at a steady pace for Leadership GBA’s 47^th annual Leadership Conference.  Bankers across Georgia will convene on July 15-18 at the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club in Ponte Vedra, Florida.  But no conference would be complete without an economic update.  The housing correction began in early 2006, but entered a new phase in the first quarter of this year when subprime foreclosure rates started climbing and dozens of mortgage lenders closed their doors.  Credit standards are tightening, the economy is slowing, but the Fed continues to fight last year’s rise in inflation.   For additional information, please call GBA’s Susie McGehee at (404) 420-2010 or Jennifer Stevens at (404) 420-2024.

Strengthen Customer Ties at Your Bank
Clarke American, a GBA Strategic Partner, is a leading provider of checks and related products, contact center services, e-commerce, and direct response marketing solutions to financial institutions throughout the U.S.  Annually, Clarke American produces more than 10 billion checks and deposit tickets in a variety of formats through a network of sixteen electronically linked manufacturing facilities and customer service centers across the nation. Clarke American provides valuable products and services that meet your customers’ unique needs. From multiple convenience channels such as Internet and phone to targeted marketing to individual account holders, their innovative technologies are taking customer relationships to new heights.  Clarke American’s vision is “to be the premier resource for our partners in the delivery of passionate customer care” by helping their partners attract, grow, and retain profitable customer relationships built on the checking account.  For more information, contact Clarke American’s Pat McMahon at (800) 382-0818, ext. 2823, or GBA’s Josh Latina at (404) 420-2022.

GBA Job Bank
The Georgia Bankers Association offers free job posting resources for our member banks.  These listings can be viewed online or through our bi-weekly publication included in the GBA Bulletin.  Resume postings are also available.  For more information, please contact GBA’s Kenyetta Parks at (404) 420-2035.

Some of the Services Available Through GBA Services, Inc.

Bond and D&O Insurance	Internet Loan Closing Program
Checking Club Programs	Job Bank
Discounted Check Program	Non-Qualified Executive Benefits (BOLI)
Discounted Local & Long Distance Program	Pledging Pool Program
Financial Industry Pre-Employment Assessments	Record Retention Guide
FinCrime	Senior Housing Crime Prevention Foundation
Georgia Financial Directory	Strunk & Associates
Georgia Laws Code Book	Thumbprint Signature Program
Holiday Decals	Trust and Investment Services
Human Resources Solutions

GBA Services, Inc. is governed by a board composed primarily of community bank presidents who look for the best products and services available.  They do the due diligence for you and you can rely on their efforts.  For more information or to order any of these products or services, please call (404) 522-1501.

Newsmakers:

Congratulations GBA Staffer Frankie Harris was recognized recently in a staff-wide event for his seven year anniversary.  "The only answer Frankie gives most of us to every request is, “No problem, when do you need it?”  Thanks, Frankie, for all you do to keep the operations area running so smoothly," said GBA President Joe Brannen in presenting Frankie's recognition award.  Alpharetta - Bank of North Georgia Congratulations to Lorna Roper, Executive Assistant at the bank's Marietta office, for receiving the bank's Volunteer Achievement Award for her volunteer commitment to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Georgia Chapter.  Congratulations, also, to the team members in the Canton office for receiving the bank's Customer Service Team Award.  Team members include Steffani Brown, Assistant Bank Office Manager; Alana Jacobs and Eleanor Poore, Personal Bankers; Beth Young, Head Teller; and Courtney Biehl, Jennifer Porter, Julie Bray, and Kim Veney, Tellers. Eastman - Bank of Eastman Nylan Hinson has joined the bank as Compliance Officer.   Alexander, Joyner & Livingston True "A Little Seed Can Grow Your Future" Marietta - Highland Commercial Bank Cathy Livingston has been promoted to Vice President, Operations and Charlene Alexander and Patricia Joyner to Operations Officers. Savannah - The Savannah Bank Frances True has been promoted to Banking Officer. Ft. Benning - Faith Middle School Congratulations to sixth grader Alex Ridley for winning the 2007 National Financial Literacy Contest sponsored by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC).  Alex submitted his poster through Consumer Credit Counseling Service of West Georgia/East Alabama.

Joe and Frankie  L to R: Sharyn Lane, MS Program Manager; Roy Rangel, Chapter President; Lorna Roper; and Kessel Stelling, CEO of Bank of North Georgia Top (l to r) Kim Veney, Eleanor Poore, Julie Bray, Jennifer Collier, Beth Young, Alana Jacobs Bottom: Steffani Bowman, Greg Sinclair

Serving the needs of Georgia Bankers since 1892 Search I Staff I Contact Us Georgia Bankers Association - 50 Hurt Plaza, Suite 1050, Atlanta, GA 30303 • Phone 404.522.1501 • Fax 404.522.9848