Convention Brochures to be Mailed Soon
Brochures announcing the 2007 Annual Convention at the magnificent Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, will be mailed in the next few weeks.  GBA Chairman Bobby Carmichael, Chairman, President and CEO of Commercial Bank & Trust in LaGrange, said, “We’ve had tremendous response to having the Convention in June the past two years.  Many of our members brought their whole family. At this great location packed with all kinds of activities, this convention is sure to be another terrific family time together.”  The program has an outstanding line-up of speakers and breakout sessions.  We will also have sessions especially meant for outside directors.  Remember to apply now for your passport.  For application forms and to find a location to apply nearest you, visit the U.S. Department of State’s website.  With questions about the Convention, please contact GBA’s Susie McGehee at (404) 420-2010.

Rural Bankers Will Be Interested in This…
A bill has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. Ron Lewis (R-KY) that would put rural community banks on equal footing with the tax-advantaged Farm Credit System.  The bill, H.R. 833, would also give farmers more loan options. In communities of 2,500 or fewer people, the bill would make interest income tax-exempt on banks’ farm real estate loans and certain rural housing loans.  Rep. Lewis said in announcing the bill that it would give rural homebuyers and farmers greater access to the best possible financing.  The bill is similar to legislation introduced in the Senate.  That bill, S. 286, was introduced last month by Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE).  GBA’s Agriculture Committee closely follows issues like this and will be discussing this and other legislative and regulatory issues of interest to non-urban bankers at their meeting next Tuesday in Macon.  David Keith with South Georgia Banking Company in Omega chairs the committee.

Legislature in Recess Much of This Week
As the General Assembly was not in session Monday through Wednesday of this week, we will not be publishing our Legislative Update this week.  The Legislature spent most of the recess working on the supplemental budget and in committee meetings.  The Senate Banking and Financial Institutions Committee met on Tuesday and heard testimony from Banking Commissioner Rob Braswell on the Department of Banking and Finance’s housekeeping bill, S.B. 70.  Among the provisions of most interest to bankers, the bill provides parity between state and federally chartered banks by removing certain limits on real estate loans for state banks; the statutory capital base is redefined to limit the impact of goodwill and other intangibles after a merger to prevent artificial increases in loan limits, investments and fixed assets; clarifies that proxy voting by electronic means is allowed; and, eliminates the need to form an interim bank when a share exchange transaction occurs.  Another provision addresses concerns some of our members have raised about non-affiliated companies using public record information to promote products.  For example, we have seen examples of mailings from mortgage companies that contain the name of the customer’s bank, their loan amount and other data.  Many people are not aware this information is public record and often call the bank to inquire why their information was shared.  Or the customer may not understand there is no affiliation between the advertisement and the bank, and may purchase unneeded products thinking the offering was from their bank.  S.B. 70 creates new disclosure rules designed to better inform consumers about the company making the solicitation.  After a number of questions, the bill was reported out of the committee for action by the Senate Rules Committee.  The Legislature will meet for a rare Saturday session this week.  Family Day, as it is being called, is designed to give working people the chance to see the General Assembly in session.

GBA Comments on Payday Proposal
In response to the U.S. Department of Defense request for comment on the so-called “payday lending” proposal in their 2007 Authorization Act, the GBA recently submitted comments based on feedback from our membership.  The Act itself places a cap of 36% interest on certain loans to military personnel and their dependents.  Although intended to address payday lending, the banking industry has become increasingly concerned over the unintended consequences that the Act could place on traditional loan products.  Therefore, the Department of Defense will be issuing regulations on the Act and we wanted to make it clear that these provisions should only apply to those it was intended to cover.

Comment Letters to Farm Credit Administration Needed
Please see enclosed our suggested comment letter for you to send to the Farm Credit Administration (FCA) on their proposal to expand the entities that are eligible for financing from the Farm Credit Service (FCS) lenders as processing and marketing operations.  This far-reaching proposal would eliminate any real limitation on the ability of an FCS entity to finance a borrower and replaces it with the subjective and definitive opinion of the FCA.  Your letter should either be mailed to the address on the suggested letter or sent via e-mail to reg-comm@fca.gov by February 26, 2007.  Please call GBA’s Elizabeth Chandler with questions at (404) 420-2027.

12th Annual Southeastern Bank Management & Directors Conference
Learn from fellow bank executives, bank directors, and leading service providers about the critical issues bank managers and directors face as they make decisions regarding whether to sell the bank, buy another bank, or hold on as an independent entity.  The conference is offered on February 16 at the Hyatt Regency in Savannah and again on February 22 at the Gwinnett Center in Atlanta.  The conference is designed for CEO's, senior management, and directors of banks and BHC's, as well as managers and officers of institutions that work closely with the banking and financial services community.  The conference is organized and directed by James A. Verbrugge, Professor of Finance and Chair of Banking Emeritus at the University of Georgia. Dr. Verbrugge is also involved in executive education and MBA programs in the Terry College, and serves on several boards of directors.  Click here for information or to register.

Effective Information Security Management Seminar Scheduled
If you are an Information Security Officer (ISO) 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 21, at the Ramada Plaza in Macon.  The registration fee for this workshop is $195 and the instructors are Jackie Marshall with Gladiator Technology, Alpharetta, and Steve Koehlke with Safe Systems, 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.  Please call GBA’s Courtenay Pope at (404) 420-2015 or Susie McGehee at (404) 420-2010 with questions.  Click here to register.

Operations and Technology Conference Scheduled
The Operations and Technology Committee, chaired by Jim Stewart with United Community Bank in Blairsville, has planned an excellent program for this year’s Conference which is scheduled for April 17-18 at the Renaissance Waverly Hotel in Atlanta.  Our guaranteed room block expires March 19 so make your reservations today by calling the hotel directly at (770) 953-4500.  Please call GBA’s Marybeth Jones at (404) 420-2032 with questions or to register.

Register Today for AIB Online Courses
Just a reminder that the following AIB online classes begin on March 5.  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

• Consumer Lending, 16 weeks, $385

• Financial and Business Planning for Bank Marketers*, 9 weeks, $285

• Introduction to Mortgage Lending, 16 weeks, $385

• Team Leader Certificate, 16 weeks, $695

• Understanding Your Construction Borrower, 10 weeks, $385

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

There is still availability in the following AIB online classes beginning the week of February 26.  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

• Problem Loan Workouts, 6 weeks, $285

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

Winter 2007 AIB Classroom Courses
AIB classes meet three hours each week for 2 to 15 weeks and will be held at a local financial institution.  If you would like to see a specific AIB course offered in your area or if you have any questions about AIB classroom courses, please contact GBA’s Alison Moreau at (404) 420-2034.  Following is the next AIB classroom course for Winter 2007:

• Principles of Banking, taught by Lorna Elizabeth Crawford of Fidelity Bank at Douglas County Bank, Douglasville.
  Beginning February 15, 10 weeks, $195, text $60.

Status of Important Banking Cases
The “Status of Important Banking Cases” is made available monthly to members of the Bank Counsel Section as an enhanced value to membership. This monthly report gives bank attorneys up to date information on litigation involving banks across the country.  Our thanks to the ABA’s Office of General Counsel for providing this resource.  Please call GBA's Kenyetta Parks at (404) 420-2035 with questions about how your bank's attorney can participate in the Section.

Welcome New Participant
The GBA Insurance Trust, Inc. Board of Directors welcomes to the Trust Keyworth Bank, I.O., Alpharetta, Jim Pope, CEO.  This company joins more than 290 community banks and associate members in this unmatched member benefit.  Please call GBA’s Susan Kelley at (404) 420-2017 for details.

Progressive: Bond and D&O Coverage
The ABA-sponsored insurance program underwritten by Progressive Insurance has recently been able to provide several Georgia banks with not only expansive coverage and increased benefit amounts, but significantly lower rates.  Progressive, a GBA Strategic Partner, has also developed a separate internet banking insurance program for financial institutions engaged in internet banking. The Internet Banking Protection Package is a unique insurance solution for community banks.  Two interconnected policies provide first- and third-party coverage to fill the gaps where traditional insurance policies do not extend to internet risks.  First-party protection is provided through the Enhanced Financial Institutions Bond and third-party protection via a separate and distinct policy – the Internet Banking Liability Policy.  For more information, please contact Progressive’s Robert Splawn at (800) 274-5222, ext. 37564, or GBA’s Josh Latina at (404) 420-2022.

Firewall Protection Services
Ensuring your firewall is operating properly and is regularly updated with the latest software releases assures that your firewall presents an effective line of defense.  Gladiator Technology Services, Inc. is a Strategic Partner of the GBA, and will proactively evaluate and monitor your firewall to maintain its effectiveness.  In addition, Gladiator’s highly trained security professionals will monitor the firewall real time and 24x7 to determine if unauthorized attempts are being made to breach the security of the system and will work with your institution to resolve such attacks as quickly as possible.  IT examiners expect your institution to manage technology effectively by monitoring intrusion prevention and employee activity.  Gladiator produces comprehensive and user-friendly management reports each month to allow your Information Security Officer to review and discuss the previous month’s activity with the technical support group and with the Board of Directors. Their knowledgeable staff will work with your financial institution to provide a team approach to managing technology properly.  Gladiator works with financial institutions exclusively and pride themselves on their knowledge and understanding of the environment.  For more information, contact Gladiator’s Danny Johnston at (678) 461-4620 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.

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

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:

Alpharetta - Alpharetta Community Bank Mark Goodson has joined the bank as Senior Vice President of Residential Construction. Atlanta - BankersforHire.com Rachel Amato has been promoted to First Vice President and head of the firm’s new Bank Compliance Division. Atlanta - RBC Centura Drew Putt has been named President and Ron Day’s duties as Chief Operating Officer have been expanded to include overseeing overall business, e-commerce and sales strategy, and innovation and performance management.  Both Putt and Day will operate out of the bank’s Raleigh, NC office. Atlanta - Private Bank of Buckhead Congratulations to CEO Charlie Crawford, the officers, directors and staff on the bank’s recent grand opening. Atlanta - Rockbridge Commercial Bank Patti Batyske has joined the bank as Senior Vice President, Operations and Branch Manager and Steven Lehwald as Vice President, Commercial Lending. Dawsonville - Mountain State Bank Spencer L. Strickland has been named President and Chief Executive Officer and will also serve on the bank’s Board of Directors. Savannah - The Savannah Bank Chris Brown has been promoted to Assistant Vice President and Toby Browne and Trey Glendye to Banking Officers.  Promoted at The Savannah Bancorp, the bank’s holding company, were Sundi Brigman to Vice President, Operations; Lisa Powell to Assistant Vice President, Loan Operations; Margaret Jerome to Assistant Vice President, Operations; Nina Bland to Operations Officer; Adrian Brasher to Banking Officer; and John McCutchen and Tony Thornton to Operations Officers. Smyrna - Community Bank of the South Congratulations to CEO Lee Scroggins, the officers, directors and staff on the recent opening of the bank’s Small Business Administration (SBA) Lending Department.  Nancy Eaton, Assistant Vice President and SBA Specialist, will manage the program.
	Putt Strickland Glendye McCutchen	Day Brown Jerome Powell	Lehwald Browne Brasher Eaton

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