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January 28, 2005

Realtors’ Bill Introduced
Sen. Wayne Allard (R-CO) re-introduced the Senate version of the Realtors’ bill (S. 98) this week. The legislation is similar to legislation introduced in previous sessions of Congress. The bill would prohibit national banks from providing real estate brokerage and property management services.  The Realtors have been successful in getting successive one-year moratoriums in appropriations bills preventing the regulatory agencies from adopting their rules giving banks the authority.  We were disappointed that newly-elected Georgia Senator Johnny Isakson was one of the original five cosponsors.  Joining him were Sens. Conrad Burns (R-MT), Hillary Clinton (D-NY), Russell Feingold (D-WI), and Banking Committee Chairman Richard Shelby (R-AL).  Sen. Isakson was an original co-sponsor of the same legislation when he was a member of the House.  If this issue is important to you and your bank, you should let Sen. Isakson know of your concerns at (202) 224-3643.

Congress Quickly Getting Underway
Following the presidential inauguration, a number of bills of interest to bankers have been introduced in the Congress.  Over the next few weeks, most of the news stories will focus on President Bush’s major initiative to reform social security, but other issues will continue to get attention.  Other than the real estate bill mentioned above, we will be closely watching GSE Reform legislation and a bill designed to help banks in rural areas compete more equitably with the farm credit system.  Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE) introduced legislation this week to revamp the regulation of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.  The legislation (S. 190) also includes provisions changing the regulatory structure of the Federal Home Loan Banks.  Because of the importance of the Federal Home Loan Banks to our members, we will be working actively on the legislation to ensure the bill is a positive step forward.  Also this week, Rep. Tom Osborne (R-NE.) introduced legislation (H.R. 399) which will be of interest to banks in rural communities.  The legislation is similar to a bill he introduced last year which would make interest income tax-exempt on banks’ farm real estate loans and certain rural housing loans in communities of 2,500 or fewer people.  GBA’s Agriculture Committee, chaired by Bill Twomey, Cook Community Bank, Adel, met this week to discuss issues of importance to rural Georgia and competitive equality with the farm credit system was high on their agenda.  We expect legislation dealing with bankruptcy reform, FDIC reform and regulatory burden relief to be introduced soon.  The Federal Issues Section of GBA’s website will be updated regularly throughout the year, so be sure and check it often for the latest information.

e-Legislative Update
Read today's e-Legislative Update.  We will be publishing these editions throughout the General Assembly session.  As a subscriber to our e-Bulletin service, you are able to link directly to the edition we've posted on our website.  Click on the hyperlinks to the bill summaries managed on the General Assembly's website to ensure you are viewing the most up-to-date versions of the legislation.  Please give us any feedback on this member service. 

Picture Yourself in Vail – Watch for Your Brochure
We will be mailing the brochures for the 2005 annual convention on February 7, so be on the lookout for them.  We are excited about the momentum going into this year’s annual meeting.  Last year in Palm Beach, we had a record crowd for recent years and most report they are coming again this year and bringing more friends in the industry.  A major change this year is moving the time of the convention to mid-June.  A survey of our members showed a large number of people would like to include their families in this event but because of year-end school and other activities, May was not the best date for their calendars.  We have booked the fabulous Ritz-Carlton – Bachelor Gulch in Vail, Colorado for the convention, and the meeting will be held June 19-22.  Complete details about the convention will be in the brochure, and GBA’s website will be continually updated with information about the convention, tours and other activities available.  With questions, please call GBA’s Susie McGehee at (404) 420-2010.

Get Involved at the GBA
One of GBA’s greatest assets is the more than 225 bankers who volunteer each year to serve on a committee or board. These volunteers support our industry in critical ways and as a result, our industry is able to accomplish our goals more quickly and easily than any of us could independently. These volunteers also serve as key leaders who assist our institutions better prepare for the rapidly changing political, regulatory, and educational needs of today’s bankers. Tom Wiley, GBA’s Chairman-elect and President and CEO of Flag Bank, Atlanta, is starting this year’s committee appointment process by looking for bankers who want to join their colleagues from across Georgia in service to their industry. “GBA’s 17 standing committees and boards provide an excellent opportunity for you to share your expertise and network with other bankers,” Tom said.  Click here for the letter from Tom, a Fact Sheet describing the various committees and boards and their roles, and a volunteer form to be used to recommend someone for a committee or to volunteer yourself. Please contact GBA’s Marybeth Jones at (404) 420-2032 for more information.

Leadership GBA Group Meetings
As a Leadership GBA Representative, there are many opportunities for leadership in your bank and across the state. If you are a Leadership Rep and would like to learn more about these opportunities and how you can get involved, plan on attending your Leadership GBA Representative Group Meeting. New this year, these “Dutch treat” luncheon meetings will be held in each of the ten Groups throughout the state in March. Be sure to look for a meeting schedule in the next Bulletin. If you have any questions about the meetings or becoming a Leadership GBA Representative, call GBA’s Susie McGehee at (404) 420-2010 or Fran Williams at (404) 420-2015.

Principles of Banking
AIB Principles of Banking, the most popular course the GBA offers, is designed primarily for entry level employees or anyone new to banking who wants a comprehensive overview of the services and functions of banking. In considering a place to start in developing a future in banking, Principles of Banking offers a precise look at both the deposit and loan sides of the bank. The more specialized areas of banking such as trust, investments and future banking are also discussed. Because Principles of Banking lays the foundation for all aspects of banking, it is a required course for an AIB Diploma.  Principles of Banking is a 10-week, 30-hour course with 2 credit hours earned upon completion. Principles of Banking is available online for those unable to attend a regular scheduled class. Please see the flyer for details or call Edie Canales at (404) 420-2034.

Operations and Technology Conference
The Operations and Technology Conference will be held March 24-25 at the Atlanta Renaissance Waverly Hotel. Special thanks to Henry Pope, Committee Chair and CEO of Exchange Bank in Milledgeville and the entire Operations/Technology Committee for carefully planning this conference to feature subjects pertinent to you and your bank. Topics include bank technology trends, E-banking and ACH update, financial management in 2005, strategic technology planning, regulatory update and vendor management. A block of rooms has been reserved until February 25th. Please call the Renaissance Waverly directly at (770) 953-4500 for room reservations.  If you have questions, please call Marybeth Jones at (404) 420-2032.

Investment Returns for GBA Excel
GBA Retirement Services, Inc. is pleased with the investment returns for 2004 of both investment managers, Atlanta Capital Management and Reliance Trust Company. Both firms are still outperforming most of their comparative long-term benchmarks. Please refer to the update for detailed returns. Alliance Benefit Group (ABG), the third-party administrator for the GBA Master Trust, has begun online enrollment and has enhanced other website features. ABG continues to offer payroll services to current members of the Trust at reduced rates which reduces monthly and year-end retirement plan administration. The programs offered through the GBA Master Trust provide flexibility to meet the needs of any bank or associate member who may be adding to or changing their qualified retirement plan. The GBA Retirement Services Directors are bankers who know the business and help produce the greatest results for their banks, their employees and the other banks and bankers participating in the Trust.  Please contact Mandy Richards at (404) 420-2025 for information on how GBA Retirement Services can help design a retirement plan for your bank.

Welcome New Participants
The GBA Insurance Trust, Inc. Board of Directors welcomes to the Trust The Community Bank, Loganville, Stan Kelley, CEO, and Legacy State Bank, Loganville, Mack Ivey, CEO. These companies join more than 290 community banks and associate members in this unmatched member benefit. Please call Susan Kelley at (404) 420-2017 for details.

Have you quoted your Directors & Officers Liability Insurance and Financial Institution Bond lately?
If not, maybe now is the time to have yours re-quoted or evaluated. The ABA-sponsored insurance program underwritten by Progressive Insurance has been able to provide a significant number of Georgia banks with not only expansive coverage and increased benefit amounts but significantly lower rates. Progressive’s Internet Banking Protection Package, developed specifically for financial institutions engaged in internet banking, is a unique insurance solution for community banks. Two interconnected policies provide first-party 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 Institution Bond and third-party protection via a separate and distinct policy, the Internet Banking Liability Policy. The GBA worked closely with the ABA to institute this program at a time when most insurance carriers were either exiting the market or were quoting extraordinarily high rates. Please call GBA’s Renee Valdez at (404) 420-2036 for more information about this program.

For Sale
Modular bank building 24 feet x 50 feet.  Unit contains two private offices, a lobby area with guest seating and a CSR desk, a teller line with three stations, a two-lane covered drive-up with deal drawer and a VAT, a kitchen area, a bathroom, and a storage area.  The unit is fully furnished and is equipped with a complete alarm and security package with cameras and a VCR and includes a night deposit vault and a cash vault. The asking price is $50,000.  For more information, please contact Joe Morck, West Georgia National Bank, at (770) 830-2936.

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 Renee Valdez (404) 420-2036 or Kenyetta Parks (404) 420-2035.

Newsmakers:

Alpharetta - North Atlanta National Bank
Kimberly J. Bryant has been promoted to Group Vice President, Ashley Walker to Vice President, and Kellie Pressnall and Mike Kelly to Assistant Vice Presidents.

Atlanta - Fidelity Bank
Todd Trainer has been promoted to Vice President and Manager of the Atlanta Mortgage Production area and Leatha Williams, Sonia Osner and Wanda Massey to Banking Officers.

Atlanta - Flag Bank
Congratulations to Tom Wiley, CEO, and the officers, directors and staff on the recent opening of the bank’s loan production office in Duluth.

Cornelia - Community Bank & Trust
Trent Fricks has been named Clarkesville City President and James G. W. Willis has been promoted to Executive Vice President and Controller. Marlon R. Mayfield has been promoted to Executive Vice President and Wendell L. Fincannon to Senior Vice President at the bank’s holding company, Community Bankshares, Inc.

Dublin - Bank of Dudley
Andrea Payne has been promoted to Assistant Vice President and Betty McCoy to Human Resources Officer.

Fitzgerald - PlantersFIRST
Mary Dorough has been promoted to Assistant Vice President.

Forsyth - Monroe County Bank
Marvin Carr has been promoted to Vice President and Tony Ussery to Assistant Vice President.

Griffin - First National Bank
Charles B. Woodroof, III has been promoted to Senior Vice President and Henry County Market Executive.

Norcross - First Security National Bank
Ralph Barber, Jr. has been elected to the bank’s Board of Directors.

Thomasville - Commercial Bank
Thomas J. Callaway, III has been elected President and Chief Executive Officer and Frederick D. Jefferson Vice Chairman of the Board.

Calendar of Other Events

2005 GSB Online Seminars