Legislature to Adjourn Friday Sine Die

• Bank Tax Bill Resurfaces with Positive Results Possible

• "Good Funds" Bill Amended - GBA Working to Remove Amendment

• Foreclosure Bill Needs Senate Agreement

• Mortgage Satisfaction Bill Awaiting House Action

• Uniform Securities Act Passes House with GBA Amendments

• Uniform Prudent Investment Bill Sent to Governor

• Boat Titling Bill Passes Senate

• Lottery Assignment Bill on Governor's Desk

Fresh from their Easter recess, Congress is focusing on two major initiatives:  a massive overhaul of the financial services industry and developing a response to the subprime meltdown.  While it is too early to determine the fate of the new regulatory proposals, several concerns are apparent:  the thrift charter along with OTS disappears; state-chartered banks are endangered with a new federal regulatory requirement; and non-banks will be assured ongoing access to Federal Reserve borrowings with little explanation of the need and regulatory structure.  “We will be following these developments closely to ensure our members are not unfairly burdened with substantial new, burdensome regulatory requirements,” said GBA Chairman Jim Williams, CEO of Citizens Bank and Trust in Eastman.  The rising number of foreclosures is also on the minds of legislators. 

Hurricanes and other natural disasters can make essential bank-related phone calls all but impossible. Now, Georgia bankers can apply to participate in a pilot program that will give key executives at your bank priority telephone capability in an emergency through access to the Government Emergency Telecommunications Service (GETS).  GBA has been working for more than a year with the American Bankers Association to support development of this pilot with its sponsors, the Financial and Banking Information Infrastructure Committee (FBIIC), the Financial Services Sector Coordinating Council (FSSCC) and the National Communications System (NCS).  GETS is a nationwide priority telecommunications service used during a crisis, disaster, or other emergency, when the probability of completing a phone call has significantly decreased.

Latest Scam: House Stealing

The FBI recently published a consumer alert on the most unbelievable of scams:  house stealing.  Here’s the simple three step process the fraudsters use: 1) Pick a house – any house – even one occupied, but often a vacation or seldom-occupied home. 2) Assume the identity of the homeowner (often using the Internet to obtain personal information) and then create various fake IDs. 3) Transfer the deed of the house into the fraudster’s name by obtaining the forms, forging signatures, using the fake IDs, and filing the paperwork with the proper authorities – now they “own” the home.  Two variations:  1) Follow steps 1-3 above, sell the property and pocket the profits – even if someone still lives in the house (and is still making payments on their legitimate mortgage!)

50-year Bankers to be Recognized

GBA is proud to recognize Georgia bankers who have devoted 50 years or more of service to the banking industry.  These bankers will be honored at the 2008 Annual Convention in June.  Please help us properly recognize the bankers who have reached this important milestone by sending a letter to GBA’s Susie McGehee with the following information:  banker’s name and current title, bank name, his/her years of service, brief work history, photograph of banker nominated (emailed if possible), and the name of the nominating banker.

GBA's annual Rural Development and Lending Conference is scheduled for May 15-16 at the Savannah Riverfront Marriott. The 2007-2008 Agriculture Committee has planned an exciting agenda that includes topics such as market trends and the economy, trends in farm real estate value, regulatory update, current legal issues, analyzing tax returns for agricultural based taxpayers, and agriculture innovation. 

Leadership GBA will host the 48^th annual Leadership Conference on July 13-16 at the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club in Ponte Vedra, Florida.  The Executive Committee has planned a great program packed with an impressive group of speakers.  To help you stay informed about the issues that affect our industry, you will receive important information about the economy, learn how to maintain and possibly increase fee income and get valuable tips about how to stimulate economic development in your area.  You will also receive excellent leadership training from Dr. Peter Topping, Associate Professor at Emory University.

• Cash Flow Analysis

• A Systematic Framework for Applying Ratio Analysis

• Financial Projections

• Case Studies for Practical Application of Concepts Discussed

• Early Warning Signals

Designed for entry-level commercial lending officers, credit trainees and analysts, this two-day workshop is designed to introduce and utilize a comprehensive and consistent approach to analyzing commercial financial statements.  Emphasis is placed on a practical methodology to assist bankers in evaluating the creditworthiness of a company. 

Please click here to register or contact GBA’s Courtenay Pope at (404) 420-2015 with questions.

In-person AIB courses are a popular way for students to learn in a classroom setting with their peers receiving instruction from a banker.  Two AIB classroom courses begin soon.  Principles of Banking, being taught by Randy Blalock at The Peoples Bank, Winder, begins April 22.  The cost is $195 and the textbook is $65.  Analyzing Financial Statements, being taught by Peter Faser of Security Bank at Cornerstone Bank,

GBA will host its annual Legal Issues of New Account Documentation and Compliance on April 29 at Idle Hour Country Club in Macon and April 30 at the Best Western Lanier Centre in Gainesville.  The registration fee is $195 for members and Patrice M. Konarik, CFP with Sunwest Training Corp. in Gilchrist, Texas, is the instructor.

Designed for new accounts representatives, back-up new account personnel, certificate of deposit staff, bookkeeping and accountholder service personnel, and loan secretaries, this one-day seminar teaches new accounts personnel proper account opening procedures and compliance requirements.  With questions, please contact GBA’s Courtenay Pope at (404) 420-2015.  Please register here for Macon or Gainesville.

Just a reminder that GBA will offer the following webinars during the weeks of April 7^th and April 14^th:

• Commercial Working Capital Lines of Credit – April 8

• Dealing with Work Appearance, Hygiene, and Young Workforce Styles – April 9

• Frequent Mistakes in Lending Compliance – April 10

• Understanding Revised Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code – April 10

• Best Practices for Successful Supervisors – April 15

• Implementing FACTA 312 – April 15

• Exceeding Your Deposit Target, Part 1 – April 17

The registration fee of $250 allows you access to one website “seat,” one telephone site license and all hand out materials.  If you can’t attend the webinar but would like to have the information for training purposes, you may also buy the audio CD, handout materials and a password to view the information online. Complete details about the webinar, topics being covered and information about the presenter can be found on GBA’s Calendar of Events.  With questions, please call GBA’s Courtenay Pope at (404) 420-2015.

Just a reminder that the following AIB online classes begin the week of April 28:

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

• Fundamentals of Consumer Lending, 5 weeks, $230

• Marketing Financial Services, 16 weeks, $385

• Today's Teller: Developing Basic Skills (open enrollment), 8 weeks, $295

• Trust Basics, 16 weeks, $385

Please register two weeks in advance to secure a seat in the class.  These courses are instructor-facilitated with weekly assignments and can be taken from the comfort of your home or the convenience of your office. 

There is still availability in the following AIB Online classes beginning April 21.  Please register as soon as possible to secure a seat in the class.

• Commercial Lending, 16 weeks, $385

• General Accounting, 16 weeks, $485

• Principles of Banking, 16 weeks, $385

• Trust Operations, 15 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.

The American Institute of Banking (AIB) has been recognized as the industry standard in banking education and training for over a century, and GBA is proud of its commitment to Georgia bankers by offering AIB courses.  AIB Diplomas and Certificates are well recognized within banking and financial communities. 

Our thanks to the Office of the General Counsel of the American Bankers Association for making available the newest edition of the Status of Important Banking Cases to the members of our Bank Counsel Section.  This monthly report provides up-to-date information about litigation involving banks across the country.

Affinion Group, a Strategic Partner of the Georgia Bankers Association, offers banks $1,000 of complimentary accidental death and dismemberment insurance through their Customer Appreciation Program at no cost to the DDA, credit card, and mortgage customers.  Additionally, at the time of the offering, the customer has the option to purchase additional amounts of insurance at a low monthly charge.  Currently over 4600 financial institutions have decided to implement the Customer Appreciation Program.  They range in size from small rural community banks to money center banks.

TalentQuest is an online talent management system and a Strategic Partner of the Georgia Bankers Association.  TalentQuest specializes in consulting services to assist banks in selecting, managing, developing and retaining the best employees at all levels of the organization.

Some of the Services Available Through GBA Services, Inc.

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