January 8, 2010 

General Assembly Kicks Off Session Jan. 11, Lending Limits an Issue
The 2010 Georgia General Assembly session begins Monday, Jan. 11. One issue we know we’ll be working is a change in statute that could provide more flexibility for state-chartered banks to legal lending limits that are being lowered because of capital erosion. This has become an issue for banks looking to renew loans from customers that are currently in good standing and qualify for renewal. However, if the renewal would mean the bank exceeds its legal lending limit, the bank may not be able to renew the loan. Aside from the loss of a good customer for the bank, the customer would be forced to seek credit from another bank in a difficult credit market. The rules are different based on whether the bank is federally chartered or state chartered. Under current state law, state chartered banks are unable to renew the loans. We’re supportive of proposed changes that would help banks keep good customers and to avoid forcing those customers to go through the cumbersome process and possible costs associated with finding a new lender. Aside from that, we’re sure there will be plenty of discussion about the economy, bank closures, mortgage issues and foreclosures. Remember that GBA is your key resource for all the news about this year’s session and the variety of banking related issues that are sure to crop up. "As always, the GBA’s primary goal is to represent the interests of its members with thoughtful, thorough and credible information so our elected officials can make well-informed decisions," said Joe Brannen, GBA President and CEO. Keep us posted, too, with how the session’s progress is being viewed at your bank and in your hometown. Don’t hesitate to contact Joe Brannen, 404.420.2026, or Elizabeth Chandler, 404.420.2027.
 

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Last Call for Legislative Reception – Wed., Jan. 13
There’s still time to register for GBA’s annual Legislative Reception this coming Wednesday, January 13, at the Georgia Aquarium. This is your chance to thank your representatives for their service, welcome them back into session and share your thoughts with them about the issues you care about most. Make a day of it for even more timely information on the economy and critical issues facing the banking industry. Before the reception, we will gather at 3:30 p.m. at the Embassy Suites, Centennial Olympic Park, where Dr. Roger Tutterow, professor of Economics at Mercer University in Atlanta, will provide an economic overview. Georgia Banking Commissioner Rob Braswell will discuss current issues in bank regulation and the chairs of the House and Senate banking committees will also bring you up to date on the latest issues the banking industry will be facing in the 2010 legislative session. The reception will follow at the Georgia Aquarium from 6-7:30 p.m. With questions or to register, please call GBA’s Susie McGehee at 404.420.2010.
 

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GBA Ranked in Top-Five of Most Influential Georgia Associations
Being an influential resource to lawmakers about the banking business is a priority at GBA, so it’s always nice when outside parties recognize our hard work. James Magazine has again ranked GBA among the top five most influential associations at the State Capitol. This year we’re number five, and we’ve been in the top 10 since the list was first published in 2004. Elizabeth Chandler, GBA’s Senior Vice President of Government Relations, was also ranked in the top five female lobbyists. Our lobbying team will be called on a lot this coming session, so it helps to go into the session with these recognitions. Below are the top 10 associations, including ties, as ranked by the magazine based on the voting among legislators, administration leadership and our fellow lobbyists:

1. Georgia Chamber of Commerce

2. Georgia Hospital Association

3. Georgia Beverage Association

4. Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals

5. Georgia Bankers Association/Association County Commissioners of Georgia (tie)

6. Georgia Poultry Association/Georgia Municipal Association (tie)

7. Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce

8. Georgia Dental Association/Georgia Food Industry Association (tie)

9. Georgia Realtors Association/Georgia Trial Lawyers (tie)

10. Georgia Healthcare Association/Georgia Agribusiness Council (tie)

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Georgia Banks Log Active Grassroots Advocacy Year
Here’s a big thanks to all of you who participated in grassroots advocacy efforts on behalf of your banks and the industry in 2009. More than 1,200 Georgia bankers representing 237 different members contacted their legislators a total of 5,714 times during the year about a variety of critical issues. And that’s just the count from the ABA’s online grassroots system. We know many of you made personal phone calls, wrote and faxed letters that were sent directly from your banks, too. The topic that by far drew the most contacts was the Consumer Financial Protection Agency. Other hot-button issues were the FDIC special assessment and Interchange legislation. "There are two things that strike me from these results. First, 2009 was a year in which it was more important than ever for bankers to be directly involved in sharing their views with elected officials. Second, that type of personal touch works," said Andy Williams, GBA Chairman and President, United Community Bank, Blairsville. See the linked file for a full rundown of the topics and banks participating. With questions, contact Joe Brannen, 404.420.2026, or Elizabeth Chandler, 404.420.2027.
 

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Statewide Papers Pick Up GBA Opinion Article
We told you just before the holiday break about the article we sent to newspapers around the state to let people know that GBA members are, in fact, making loans to people and businesses every day. We’ve been pleased that it’s been a welcome opinion article for a number of newspapers. It’s also good news is that those papers serve audiences throughout the state, and that some of them are the larger circulation papers in their regions. So, we’ve reached a lot of Georgians with our news. Here’s a list of the papers we’re aware of that have run the article. Our thanks to those publications for publishing our opinion. Here’s a list of the papers we know that have run the article:

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Top 11 GBA Member Resolutions for 2010
Here are 11 great ways you and your bank can ensure you’re getting the most value from the advocacy, influence, information and resources your GBA membership provides.

1. Talk to your elected officials quarterly, at least

2. Appoint a Leadership GBA Representative (it’s free!)

3. Volunteer for or nominate bankers to GBA Committees

4. Send banker(s) to the Georgia Banking School

5. Attend the GBA Annual Convention

6. Attend or send others to GBA University conferences, seminars, webinars and AIB courses.

7. Use GBA products and services

8. Use a GBA Strategic Partner or Associate Member

9. Make full use of GBA Insurance Trust Healthcare and Life Insurance plans

10. Participate in GBA Retirement Services plans

11. Check www.gabankers.com frequently.

The entire GBA staff is excited about the new year and is committed as ever to meeting and exceeding your expectations for YOUR Association. Contact any of us if we can be of service.

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Fed Check Processing Moving to Cleveland
The check-processing operations at the head office of the Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank will be transferred on Feb. 27 to the head office of the Cleveland Federal Reserve Bank, the Fed announced last week. The move will leave only one check-processing region for Regulation CC purposes, and there will no longer be any nonlocal checks, the Federal Reserve said in its announcement. The news release includes a link to the detailed Federal Register notice.
 

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Learn How to Manage a Multi-Generational Workforce
Baby Boomers, Generation Xers and Generation Ys are employees of every company. Each group offers different management challenges. Internationally known management consultant Margaret Morford of The HR Edge, Inc. will give insight as to what motivates each group and how to tap into those values to enhance each employee’s productivity and job satisfaction. The HR Professionals Institute is March 17-19 at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta. The Renaissance Waverly Hotel is offering GBA members a special rate of $149. The rate is based on availability, so make your reservations early by calling the hotel directly at 770.953.4500. For more information or to register, contact Marybeth Jones at 404.420.2032.

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Early Banking School Registration Deadline Jan. 22
The deadline for the Georgia Banking School early registration discount for first-year students has been extended to Jan. 22. Take advantage of the $125 savings by enrolling one of your employees for the Class of 2012 now. The Georgia Banking School, a three-year resident and home study program, meets at the University of Georgia May 2-7. For more information about the importance of this school, please read the enclosed letter from the school’s Academic Director, Dr. Jim Verbrugge. Call GBA’s Marybeth Jones at 404.420.2032 for details and registration information.

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Positioning Your Balance Sheet for the Future a Hot Topic for Financial Risk Management Conference
In today's turbulent markets, community banks are facing constant pressure to strengthen their balance sheets. Join Kevin O’Keefe, Sandler O’Neill & Partners, as he discusses strategies to protect and enhance your bank's capital position. He'll also cover strategies to position your bank's balance sheet to take advantage of the historically low rate environment while mitigating the risks associated with future rate environments. The conference is scheduled for Jan. 20-21 at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta. For more information, contact GBA’s Marybeth Jones at 404.420.2032.

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SE Bank Management and Directors’ Conference
The economic recovery is on the horizon and now is the time for developing plans and loan strategies for the future. At this conference, you will hear and discuss approaches for doing this in an environment in which expansion is likely to be slow and jobless, loan demand is likely to remain weak, the regulatory system will be challenging, and bank capital markets will maintain a "show me some performance" perspective. The conference, sponsored by UGA’s Terry College of Business, is scheduled for Feb. 2 at the Mansion on Forsyth Park in Savannah and Feb. 11 at the Gwinnett Center in Duluth.

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Virtualization Panel Discussion at Operations and Technology Conference
Virtualization technology is poised to create the biggest impact on the IT industry since the advent of the Internet. Gartner analysts estimate that only 16 percent of enterprise workloads are running on virtual machines today. This number is expected to reach 50 percent by 2012. In this panel discussion, we’ll examine the key drivers for leveraging virtualization as part of a strategic IT plan and hear from industry experts with real-world experience implementing virtualization in a financial institution environment. The Operations and Technology Conference is March 2-3 at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta. The Renaissance Waverly Hotel is offering GBA members a special rate of $149. The rate is based on availability so make your reservations early by calling the hotel directly at 770.953.4500. For more information or to register, contact GBA’s Marybeth Jones at 404.420.2032.

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Employee Investigations Seminar – Jan. 19
GBA will host its Employee Investigations seminar Jan. 19 at Idle Hour Country Club in Macon. The registration fee is $225 per person. Amos Welch, CFE, CPP, Vice President, Regional Manager of Corporate Investigations at BB&T, Atlanta, will lead the workshop. Some of the topics to be covered include:

• "Somebody’s Stealing!!" (NOW WHAT….?)

• Evidence Collection, Analysis, & Organization. Get it Right!

• "Playing Detective": Interview and Interrogation

• Prosecute?! WHY?!!! ("Just get the money back!")

• Workplace Violence.

This interactive one-day seminar will help you deal with the obstacles and challenges you face when conducting employee investigations. With questions or to register, please contact GBA’s Courtenay Pope at 404.420.2015.

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First Session Free!! Compliance Perspectives: A Monthly Update– Jan. 19
Keeping up with compliance changes and deadlines gets more complex every year. Now, we can help you with that task. We are excited to offer a new Webinar Series for 2010! It is called "Compliance Perspectives: A Monthly Update" to be conducted by Carl Pry. Each month, Carl will lead a 1-hour webinar outlining the hot compliance topics, upcoming deadlines and new regulations. The series costs $159/month with a minimum six-month subscription required. If you sign up for a one-year commitment, we will give you a free month. So it would be $954 for six months or $1749 for 12 months. With questions, contact Courtenay Pope at 404.420.2015.

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HMDA and CRA Workshop – Jan. 27
Led by Steve Moore with Bank Compliance Services, Avondale Estates, this one-day seminar is designed for compliance officers, loan officers and other bank personnel responsible for HMDA data collection and reporting. Topics to be covered include the new changes for 2010, types of loan applications that are HMDA reportable, the regulatory consequences for non-compliance, "community development" loans and much more. The HMDA and CRA Workshop is scheduled for Jan. 27 at Idle Hour Country Club in Macon. With questions or to register, please contact GBA’s Courtenay Pope at 404.420.2015.

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BSA/AML Compliance Seminar – Jan. 28
GBA will host its BSA/AML Compliance seminar Jan. 28 at Idle Hour Country Club in Macon. Attendees will learn about the Bank Secrecy Act, Anti-Money Laundering, the filing of SARs, OFAC, and much more. Ed Phillips – SunTrust Bank, AML Group, Steve Cross – SunTrust Bank, Bank Security, and Alvin Mitcham – SunTrust Bank, AML Group, will lead this workshop. Registration for each workshop is $225 per person. With questions or to register, please contact GBA’s Courtenay Pope at 404.420.2015.

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Start The Year Off With An Investment in You! Upcoming AIB Course Offerings
Here are the instructor-led AIB online classes offered the week of January 25. These courses are instructor-facilitated with weekly assignments and can be taken from your home or your office. All you need is a computer, printer and Internet access. (Classes with an asterisk * require Microsoft Excel Software.) Please register two weeks in advance to secure a seat in the class.

• ABA Online Review Course for the CRCM Exam, 8 weeks, $675

• Commercial Lending, 16 weeks, $405

• Principles of Banking, 16 weeks, $405

There is still availability in the following AIB Online classes beginning January 19.  Please register as soon as possible to secure a seat in the class.

• Analyzing Bank Performance, 7 weeks, $745 (last offering until April 19)

• Introduction to Mortgage Lending, 16 weeks, $405

• Law & Banking:  Applications, 16 weeks, $455

• Principles of Banking Accelerated, 10 weeks, $335

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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Register for GBA Webinars Today
GBA will offer the following webinars the week of Jan. 11:

• IRA Update – Jan. 12

• CIP: What is Fact? What is Myth? – Jan. 12

• Motivating & Managing the Teller Line – Jan. 13

• Safe Deposit the Fundamentals - 2010 Update – Jan. 14

• Dealing with Subpoenas, Summonses, Garnishments & Tax Levies – Jan. 14

• Loan Documentation 101, Part 1: The Basics: Obtaining Enforceable Liens Under UCC9 – Jan. 15

All webinars are live and allow time for questions and answers. The $250 registration fee gives you access to one web site "seat," one telephone site license and all handout materials. If you can’t attend the webinar, you may buy the audio CD, handout materials and a password to see the information online. With questions, please call GBA’s Courtenay Pope at 404.420.2015.

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ABA Insurance Program to Distribute Profits, Reinsurer Changes Name
The American Bankers Association announced that its sponsored insurance program will distribute $4 million in underwriting profits to insured member banks. This is a GBA-endorsed program. ABA also announced that the reinsurer, American Bankers Professional and Fidelity Insurance Co. has changed its name to American Bankers Mutual Insurance Ltd., effective immediately. American Bankers Mutual Insurance Ltd. has declared $71.5 million in distributions to qualified member banks since 1991. ABA membership automatically provides eligibility to the program that offers directors and officers liability, financial institution bond, Internet banking liability, employment practices liability and other related insurance products to community banks. "Our program is the only one of its kind that distributes profits directly to member banks," said John Manor, Chairman of American Bankers Mutual Insurance Ltd.  For information about the program, please contact Levi Crabtree, GBA Member Services, 404.420.2022.

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Learn to Save Time, Money at Free Electronic Liens and Titles Open Forum
GBA Strategic Partner Decision Dynamics, Inc. (DDI) invites GBA members to the 2010 Georgia Electronic Liens and Titles (ELT) Open Forum Jan. 21 from 10 a.m.-noon at the Hilton Garden Inn Atlanta Perimeter Center Hotel.  Meet with other banks participating in the Georgia ELT program, and learn how easily you can save money, save time, and reduce fraud with electronic titling. Find out what’s new with the Georgia ELT program, including an update on the Georgia Title Check feature. Decision Dynamics, Inc. (DDI) provides the Premier eTitleLien™ Internet-based system that enables banks to participate in the Georgia ELT program and puts you in full control of your electronic title portfolio. At just $5 per lien and no up-front costs, ELT will save you time, money and provide a number of benefits for your bank. For more information, contact Ann Gunning, Chief Information Officer, Decision Dynamics, Inc. at 803.808.0117. Register online or call 803.808.0117. You can also set up an internet connection to the forum if you can’t go in person.

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Develop and Retain Your Company’s Top Employees
Now, more than ever, it’s time to make sure you hang on to your top talent and pay special attention to developing the entire team. With TalentQuest building, developing and retaining an ‘all star’ team will position your organization to capitalize on opportunities that will undoubtedly exist when the economy begins to recover. A comprehensive, carefully structured talent management program can provide better visibility into top, mid-level and low-performing employees, enabling a financial institution to manage them accordingly. In addition, companies can more effectively source high-quality candidates, develop and retain the top talent they already have, and build more reliable succession plans. And, as the most successful organizations know, having the best people isn’t simply an ideal; it is a competitive necessity and one of few true differentiators. So how do financial institutions accomplish this? TalentQuest, for Financial Services, integrates standardized job descriptions, competency models and Peak Performer Profiles into a talent management system designed to guide financial institutions through each stage of the employee lifecycle. Now more than ever, it is crucial to ensure you have the right people in the right places and that your top talent is fully engaged.  Doing so will help you gain efficiencies, which will ultimately help you outperform your competitors in 2009 and beyond. For more information, please contact Jon Naphin at TalentQuest at 404.965.5221.

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Find a Job, Post a Job with 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 call Kenyetta Parks at 404.420.2035.

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Read All About It -- Send Us Your News
Please remember to include the Georgia Bankers Association on the list of recipients for announcements about promotions, new employees and special recognition your bank has received. We want to share your news with your colleagues across the state. Please forward your announcements and photos to GBA's Lydia Thomas.

Newsmakers

Alpharetta -Bank of North Georgia
Karen B. Smith has been promoted to Regional Community Executive.

Blairsville - United Community Banks, Inc.
Our sympathy to the family, friends and colleagues of Board member A. William "Bill" Bennett on his recent death.

Cornelia - Community Bank & Trust
Bill Stump has been elected Chief Executive Officer and President and Chief Executive officer of the bank’s holding company Community Bankshares, Inc. Mike Whitmire has been elected President and Chief Operating Officer.

Jackson - McIntosh State Bank
Darren Cantlay has joined the bank as Chief Financial Officer.

Savannah - The Coastal Bank
Adam H. Montgomery has joined the bank as Assistant Vice President of Marketing.

Smith

Bennett

Montgomery