Legislature Recesses For Budget Hearings

The Georgia General Assembly was in recess this week for budget hearings.  A House Banks and Banking subcommittee met and voted to report, H.B. 921 by Committee Chairman, James Mills (R-Gainesville) and Rep. Allen Peake (R-Macon).  The bill would allow Georgia to participate in a nationwide system of mortgage lender and broker licensing.  The system is a project of the Conference of State Bank Supervisors and the bill was introduced at the request of the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance.  GBA supports the proposal.

Bledsoe Elected to GBA Board by Fellow Associate Members

Congratulations to Chris Bledsoe for being elected by his peers as the Associate Member Representative to the GBA Board of Directors.  Chris is President and CEO of Banker’s Dashboard, LLC in Stockbridge.  In making the announcement of his election, the current Associate Member Representative to the Board, Tim Keadle, partner with Porter Keadle Moore, LLP, said “Chris’s background makes him an ideal candidate for this position.  As a former banker and now as an entrepreneur who created a financial management tool for community banks, Chris will bring a unique perspective to the Board.  As evidenced by his unanimous election, Chris is well-respected among his fellow associate members.” 

Allowance for Loan & Lease Losses Workshop Announced

approved reserve calculation and discuss areas you may want to incorporate into your calculation as well as areas that are required to be included.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.

Tripp Rackley to Keynote Annual Operations &Technology Conference

Tripp Rackley, Chairman and CEO of Firethorn in Atlanta, will present a session on mobile banking at the Operations & Technology Conference scheduled for March 5-6 at the Cobb Galleria Centre, Atlanta.  Tripp will discuss how this ever-growing segment of bank technology can be leveraged so that banks, both large and small, can better serve their customers and manage their financial relationships. 

For information or to register, please contact GBA’s Marybeth Jones at (404) 420-2032.

Annual Convention Plans Well Under Way

Preparations are being made for GBA’s 2008 Annual Convention scheduled for June 15-18 at the St. Regis, Monarch Beach in Dana Point California.  “The attendance has been incredible since we moved the convention to June.  It’s definitely turned into a family friendly event,” said GBA Chairman Jim Williams, President and CEO of Citizens Bank & Trust Company in Eastman.  “We have chosen another great location packed with a variety of activities that will ensure another terrific opportunity for Georgia bankers to gather.” 

Congress Returns – Pace Quickens

Congress went back in session this week with the promise of quick action on an economic stimulus package.  The Federal Reserve’s unusual action to lower the discount rate with more rate cuts expected, gave the Congress and the President a clear message the economy was in trouble. Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd (D-CT) announced an aggressive agenda for his committee. 

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.

Register for GBA Webinar Today

Just a reminder that GBA will offer the following webinars during the week of February 4^th.  Webinars offer the opportunity and convenience of having a seminar at your bank.  All you need is a computer, Internet access, and a telephone.  All webinars are live and allow time throughout for questions and answers.  The registration fee of $250 allows access to one website “seat,” one telephone site license and all hand out materials.  If you are unable to attend the webinar but would like to have the information for training purposes, you may also purchase 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.

• Frontline Deposit Compliance, Part 1 – Feb. 5

• Preparing for Your IT Security Examination – Feb. 6

• Motivating & Managing the Teller Line – Feb. 7

Welcome New Associate Members

Congratulations to the following new Associate Members who were approved at the recent GBA Board of Directors meeting:

• BSA Strategies, Johns Creek, Dominic Suszek, President

• De La Rue, Euharlee, Barney Barker, Account Manager

• Deluxe Corporation, Buford, Lee Purcell, Account Manager

• Glen G. Geiger Co., Inc., Darien, CT, Scott Geiger, President & CEO

• Ikon Security Group, Inc., Ball Ground, Adam Wells, President

• TaxSlayer.com, a division of Rhodes Financial Services Evans, Jimmy Rhodes, President

Associate Members have played an important part of the GBA during most of our 116 years. 

Today, more than 200 businesses are enjoying increased visibility and expanded marketing opportunities while banks are receiving more options for top quality, cost-effective products and services.  Company descriptions and contact information are available on our website or contact Kenyetta Parks at (404) 420-2035 for more information. 

Please join us in welcoming these companies to the association.

Register Today for AIB Online Courses

Just a reminder that the following AIB Online classes begin the week of February 18.  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

• 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

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

There is still availability in the following AIB Online classes beginning February 11.  Please register as soon as possible to secure a seat in the class.

• Analyzing Financial Statements, 16 weeks, $485

• Financial Accounting, 16 weeks, $485*

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

• Managing Funding, Liquidity, and Capital, 6 weeks, $595*

• Principles of Banking, 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.

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