Legislature Returns from Recess to a Busy Week/Revenue Issues Proposed Reg

The Georgia General Assembly returned from a week-long recess for budget hearings and in recognition of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday.  They immediately got to work and a number of new bills of interest introduced or saw action in committees or on the floor.  No word yet from the Senate on the override of the Governor's veto of the tax bill dealing with the interest expense from U.S. Obligations.  The Department of Revenue issued a proposed regulation this week on the underlying bill that simply implements the changes in the 2005 law which caused the tax increase. The regulation also addresses the current practice as to the calculation of interest expense disallowance on non-Georgia municipal bonds.  GBA's Tax Advisory Committee is reviewing the proposed regulations and will comment to the Department if necessary.  Each week during the session we will publish a Legislative Update. 

• Certain Checks Losing Status in Mortgage Closings
• Governor Asks General Assembly to Approve ID Theft Bill
• File Freeze Bill Passes House - Fee Reduced
• Nationwide Mortgage Licensing Bill to be Reported
• GBA Seeking Amendments to Uniform Security Act
• Wire Transfer Bill Introduced - Banks Not Included, So Far
• GBA Hosts House Banking Committee

More information can be found in the Government Relations section of GBA's website.

GBA's Unveils New Website Design

We are pleased to announce GBA's popular website at www.gabankers.com has been updated and refreshed with a new look and feel.  Working with GBA's Strategic Partner, Financial Marketing Solutions (FMS), we have been able to reorganize much of our content into a more user-friendly design.  "Although our site had received several awards over the years, it was time to step back and see what improvements could be made," said GBA President Joe Brannen.  "Sean Hockenbery at FMS did a great job in coordinating our association-wide re-branding with Chad Wilson, our Senior VP for Member Services.  The website is the latest roll out of the new look.  I also want to thank our GBA Communications Manager, Lydia Thomas, who has spent many hours ensuring everything came together," Joe concluded.  Please give us your feedback on how we can continue to improve the site for your use.

Dugan Raises More Concerns About Real Estate Concentration

Operations and Technology Conference Scheduled - Room Block Up Next Week

Dr. Loren Scott to Give Economic Update at Annual Convention

Another Presenter Added to the HR Professionals Institute Agenda

Congratulations to the AIB classroom STAR Students

GBA has a “STAR Student” program to recognize outstanding academic excellence in the AIB classroom courses.  This award is given to the student in class with the highest overall academic average and strong classroom participation.  Congratulations to the STAR Students for Fall 2007:

• Melinda Wilson, The Brand Banking Company, Lawrenceville, Consumer Lending

• Kisha Self, Northside Bank, Adairsville, Supervision

• Charlotte Summerlin, Cohutta Banking Company, Chatsworth, Principles of Banking

• Zach Fitzpatrick, Gwinnett Community Bank, Duluth, Analyzing Financial Statements

• Beejal Amin, Northwest Georgia Bank, Ringgold, Economics for Bankers

• Jennifer Strickland, The First State Bank, Stockbridge, Law & Banking:  Principles

IRA Basics Seminar Reminder

Just a reminder to register for GBA’s IRA Basics seminar scheduled for Wednesday, February 6, at the Ramada Plaza in Macon and Thursday, February 7, at the Best Western-Lanier Centre in Gainesville.  Patrice Konarik of Sunwest Training Corp. in Gilchrist, TX will lead the seminar.  This comprehensive A-Z workshop will provide the new IRA banker and supervisor with a complete understanding of all areas of the Individual Retirement Account, as well as a review of significant proposed changes.  The seminar includes the 225-page IRA Training and Reference Manual, also known as the “IRA Survival Guide” or the “Red Book.” Some of the topics to be covered include:

• IRA terminology

• Explanation of all IRA forms including beneficiary designations

• Qualifications for a traditional IRA, regular and conversion Roth IRA, Coverdell education saving account and contribution deadlines and qualifications

• Qualified plan rollovers: direct vs. indirect

• Moving IRA funds: rollovers vs. transfers

• Distributions

With questions, please contact GBA’s Courtenay Pope at (404) 420-2015.  Or, just register online for Macon or Gainesville.

If you are an Information Security Officer and want to make sure you have the best tools for your job, plan on attending GBA’s Effective Information Security Management seminar scheduled for Wednesday, February 13 at the Ramada Plaza in Macon.  The registration fee for this workshop is $195 and the instructors are Kimberly Tallant with Gladiator Technology Group, Alpharetta, and Jamie Davis with Safe Systems, Inc., Alpharetta. This one day seminar will focus on the responsibilities of the ISO with a special emphasis on assessing risk and managing technical security controls.  Some of the topics to be covered include:

•  The best candidate for the role of ISO

• The required components of a comprehensive Information Security Program

• The case for a strong risk assessment methodology

• How to manage, monitor and test technical security controls

• Meeting examiner expectations

This seminar also qualifies as curriculum credit required for the Bank Security Academy.  To register, please click here.  With questions, contact GBA’s Courtenay Pope at (404) 420-2015.

GBA will host its Construction Lending seminar on Tuesday, February 19 at the Ramada Plaza in Macon.  Designed for construction lenders, credit analysts, loan review and administration personnel,  this one-day seminar is designed to help professional bankers keep their focus on prudent and critical risk management aspects of construction lending. Some of the topics to be covered include:

Allowance for Loan & Lease Losses Workshop Space Filling Fast

you may want to incorporate into your calculation as well as areas that are required to be included.  Our thanks to Mauldin & Jenkins, Certified Public Accountants, LLC, who will be presenting. Topics to be discussed include: 

• ALLL Methodology changes

• Sample calculations

• Qualitative and quantitative factor discussion

• Consultation on implementation issues

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

Just a reminder that GBA will offer the following webinars during the week of February 11^th:

• Compliance Issues for Consumer Lending, – February, 12, 2008

• Compliance Update - What's New? – February 12, 2008

• Frontline Deposit Compliance, Part 2 – February 12

• Dealing with Subpoenas, Summonses, Garnishments & Tax Levies – February 13

• Implementing the New Identity Theft Red Flags, Part 1 – February 14

Webinars offer the opportunity and convenience of having a seminar at your bank.  All you need is a computer, Internet access, and a telephone.

Just a reminder that the following AIB Online classes begin the week of February 25.  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

• Commercial Lending, 16 weeks, $385

• General Accounting*, 16 weeks, $485

• Principles of Banking, 16 weeks, $385

• Problem Loan Workouts, 6 weeks, $295

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

There is still availability in the following AIB Online classes beginning February 18.  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

• Money & Banking, 16 weeks, $385

• Principles of Banking Accelerated, 10 weeks, $315

• Supervisor Certificate, 16 weeks, $695

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

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