State Legislative Update: General Assembly Nears 3/4^ths Mark
As we went to press, the General Assembly was preparing for a busy day Friday. It’s the 30^th Legislative Day of the 40-day session. It’s always a long day filled with lots of maneuvering by legislators to get their favorite bills passed by either the House or Senate. Commonly called Crossover Day, the theory is that any bill not passing at least one chamber is dead for the session. Of course we all know that nothing is really final until the General Assembly adjourns for the year, but we should have a good idea about the fate of many contentious issues late Friday. Two bills we’ve been following are on the Calendar for Friday:

·         Materialmen Liens. SB 362 by Sen. Dan Weber is a bill we’ve been watching that would change the process of waiving release upon payment by those filing certain liens. We’ve gotten some initial feedback talking about the problems the bill may create. It looks like the main deficiency with this change is how it allows a materialman (subcontractor) to sign an interim or final release to allow payment. Current law requires them to file an affidavit or file a lien claim within 60 days if they do not ultimately get payment. Under this bill, they can either file a lien claim or send an affidavit to the owner or contractor. If it is not filed but is only sent, the lender will not be able to pick it up on a title search until they file a suit over it. If you’ve got additional feedback we can share with those supporting passage of the bill, please let us know.

·         Fee Increases. The House is expected to pass HB 1055, a bill designed to raise all sorts of fees paid for state services. Among the fees being raised is the $6.50 residential mortgage transaction fee to $10. As one legislator told us, everything is on the table to help find enough revenue to fill the State's $1.5 billion projected revenue shortfall.

Several Bills We’ve Been Following Passed One Chamber This Week:

• Individual Development Accounts. Rep. Donna Sheldon’s bill, HB 1314, allows for the creation of individual development accounts related to the purchase of assistive equipment and technology for a disabled individual. The bill passed the House.

• Lien Priority. Rep. David Knight’s HB 1147 relates to aircraft liens and passed the House. There has been some concern about the lien superiority created under the bill as well as the lien claimant only being required to notify other lien holders once they release the aircraft, but not while they have possession. Testimony indicated the bill was simply patterned after federal law. We’ve let Rep. Knight know some members have questions and will work with him as the bill continues to move through the legislature.

• Trust Legislation. SB 302 guided by Sen. George Hooks was passed by the full Senate. The bill is intended to help resolve certain trusts that have not had payouts. We understand there may be some language proposed by the Fiduciary Law Section of the state bar when the bill goes to the House to continue improving the legislation.  

·         Other Action of Interest:

Elder Exploitation. We haven’t mentioned in previous Bulletins that Rep. Billy Mitchell introduced HB 636, which is patterned after language found elsewhere in our Code dealing with financial crimes against the elderly. This bill goes even further than current law by imposing fines of up to $10,000 upon the banker and bank that violates the provisions. We have had a couple of legislators ask us about the bill this week, so apparently there is some chatter going on within the Chamber.

Housing Day at the Capitol/Foreclosure Legislation. We sat in on a meeting of the Senate Urban Affairs Committee to listen to some testimony given by various interest groups concerned about the role the economy has played in increasing urban problems. Foreclosures were front and center for many of those doing the talking. Several mentioned legislation, SB 57, that was passed by the Senate last year and has been the subject of several hearings in the House including one this week. We expect to see an amended bill be on the House floor later this session. We understand the Mortgage Bankers Association has signed off on including language in the bill that would extend the notice period for foreclosures to 45 days from the current 30 days.

Two New Bills Introduced: Interchange; Title Insurance. Even this late in the session, we’re seeing legislators introduce new bills. While most of the time this is intended to put everyone on notice about their interest in a topic, sometimes these get added onto other bills as amendments. One bill of significant concern to state-chartered banks is HB 1456 by Rep. John Lunsford. This bill would essentially void contracts between banks, credit card issuers, processors and merchants. We’ve seen bills like this in other states and in Congress and none are good for banks. Commonly known as "interchange" bills, most would take away significant income from those banks that offer credit or debit cards. About 80% of Georgia banks responding to a recent GBA survey said interchange income is an important part of their non-interest income stream, and 85% had not received complaints about interchange fees from their business or retail banking customers. The convenience stores and retail merchants associations are behind the bill, and we will let you know as we learn more. In other action, Rep. Stephanie Stuckey-Benfield introduced HB 1460 that would prohibit lenders and those selling title insurance to require the purchaser of a foreclosed home to buy the title insurance from a particular company.

Check our State Issues web site frequently for updated information and access to more details about all the bills we're tracking. With questions about any of this legislation or to give feedback, contact GBA's Elizabeth Chandler at 404.420.2027.

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New FDIC Regional Director Appointed
We understand the FDIC has appointed Thomas J. Dujenski as the new Atlanta Regional Director. Dujenski moves into the Atlanta post from the same job in the Dallas Region. He's been director in that region since 2008. We have not seen an official FDIC release about it, so full details are yet to come, but the appointment has been confirmed by the FDIC Public Affairs office. According to a press release issued when he was named to the Dallas post, Dujenski joined the FDIC in 1983. Previously he served as Acting Regional Director in the FDIC's Atlanta Region and Acting Deputy Regional Director in San Francisco. He holds an MBA from St. Bonaventure University and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from State University of New York. He also holds several certifications as a Regulatory Compliance Manager, Fraud Examiner, and Anti-Money Laundering Specialist, and is a graduate of the Stonier School of Banking.

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FDIC Changes Branch Count Methodology for Market Interest Rate Calculations
The FDIC has updated its method for calculating local market averages for determining interest rate caps. The new calculation method allows the average market rate to be based on a per bank basis rather than including rates at every branch of every bank in that market. This is a change we've been supporting for some time. We first heard this was being considered from Chairman Bair while we were in Washington last week. The FDIC's Tim Hubby confirmed this at the Southeastern Georgia Community Bank Symposium we cosponsored with Georgia Southern University in Statesboro this week. And, the new methodology is covered in FDIC's updated Q&As on page 3. If you have questions, contact Joe Brannen, 404.420.2027, or Elizabeth Chandler, 404.420.2027. (See the story below about our partnership with RateWatch for discounts on calculating your local market rates).

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Reg. Reform: Senate Committee OKs Reform Package

Voting along party lines, the U.S. Senate Banking Committee Monday passed (13-10) the regulatory reform bill introduced last week by Chairman Chris Dodd (D-Conn.). There were a couple of minor changes included in a manager's amendment. The amendment exempts Farm Credit System institutions from systemic risk oversight, as well as Consumer Financial Protection Bureau enforcement of consumer laws and the “skin in the game” risk-retention requirements for loan securitizations. The manager’s amendment also indexes the Expedited Funds Availability Act’s large-dollar exception for checks of $5,000 or more for inflation going forward, which may affect fraud prevention efforts. We expect full Senate debate on the bill to begin after the two-week Congressional recess that begins next week. Dodd has said in press statements that he expects Senate Republicans to show more bi-partisan support for his legislation because of the bitterness of the health care debate. "I know there are Republicans I serve with in the Senate who frankly don't want the 'just say no' policy when it comes to major legislative initiatives," he said. "So I'm much more optimistic in light of what happened on health care." Although there are some positive provisions in the bill dealing with complex subjects like ending too big to fail, we continue to oppose the legislation because of the onerous new regulations we expect would be created by the new Consumer Protection Bureau, and encourage members to contact Sens. Isakson and Chambliss to share their concerns. If you have questions, contact Joe Brannen, 404.420.2027, or Elizabeth Chandler, 404.420.2027.

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Action Alert: Letters Needed to Oppose Including CU Business-Lending Cap Increase in Jobs Bill
We're urging all bankers and bank employees to send customized letters to their U.S. House and Senate members asking them to oppose including a proposal in an upcoming jobs-creation bill that would increase the credit union business-lending cap from 12.25 percent of a credit union's total assets to 25 percent. Of all the credit unions in Georgia that the current cap applies to, none are at or near the current cap of 12.25 percent. The closest an individual Georgia credit union comes to this cap is 8.91 percent. As we've reported previously, raising the business-lending cap would primarily help large, nontraditional, growth-oriented credit unions that have abandoned their mission of serving people of modest means, and it would substantially increase such credit unions' risk exposure. Click here to access ABA's easy-to-use grassroots advocacy system to send your representatives a letter. If you have questions, contact Joe Brannen, 404.420.2027, or Elizabeth Chandler, 404.420.2027.

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Federal Reserve Announces Final Rules on Gift Cards

Earlier this week, the Federal Reserve Board announced final rules issued under Regulation E, applicable to fee restrictions and expiration dates for gift cards. The rules, which will take effect Aug. 22, 2010, are intended to protect consumers from certain unexpected dormancy fees and require gift card terms and conditions to be clearly stated. The rules general cover common retail gift cards, which can be used to make purchases from authorized merchants, and network-branded gift cards, which are redeemable at any merchant that accepts that card brand. Read more here…

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GBA In the News: Facts about Mortgage Modifications

Georgia is sixth in Home Affordable Mortgage Program mortgage modifications and more than 220,000 Georgia mortgages have been modified since 2007 by companies in the HOPE NOW Alliance. Those were the key nuggets of a Pro & Con article about mortgage modifications in Sunday's Atlanta Journal Constitution in which Joe Brannen was featured. We provided the comments to emphasize that banks and mortgage servicers are making progress to help Georgians keep their homes when possible, and acknowledge that it is difficult and ongoing work.

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Interesting Trends in Bank Deposits
According to a research report provided by GBA Associate Member A.M. Best, total bank deposits have proved surprisingly resistant to lingering disruptions in financial markets. Core deposits appear to be the most resistant to pressures from the financial crisis, while noncore deposits have likely declined because of low interest rates and systemic risk. An 8 percent year-on-year surge in bank deposits, which was revealed in the most recent FDIC Summary of Deposits data, reflects strong confidence in the U.S. banking industry. The long-term growth trend in bank deposits is supported by rising consumer savings rates, as well as those savers’ preference for bank deposits instead of other savings and investment alternatives. Read the full research report…

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Videos of Shelby, Hoyer, Fed Presidents, Media Panel at ABA Summit Available on CSPAN
We reported last week about the great lineup of speakers at the ABA Government Relations Summit. C-SPAN has created a special Web site where you can watch videos of some of those guests. The speakers are Senate Banking Committee ranking member Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), a panel of Federal Reserve Bank presidents, and three financial reporters who discussed the media's banking-industry coverage. Watch the presentations.

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Compliance Peer Group Meeting a Big success!!
GBA-U’s Compliance Peer Group met this week in Macon and was a huge success. Cindy Hanson of Kilpatrick Stockton provided great information about new rules for providing information to credit reporting agencies and how to handle direct consumer disputes. Attendees also discussed and compared situational issues and networked with other colleagues over roundtable discussions. Topics discussed during the roundtable session included challenges involving the new RESPA revisions, setting up escrow programs for 'higher cost loans' at community banks, how regulators have addressed new rules during exams and much more. To attend a peer group in the future or with any questions about this successful meeting, please contact GBA’s Marybeth Jones at 404.420.2032.

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Dialogue with Counsel on Tap at Annual Convention
Back by popular demand, this year's GBA Annual Convention will include a dialogue with GBA’s Counsel, Walt Moeling, partner of Bryan Cave Powell Goldstein in Atlanta. A lot has changed in Georgia during the past year...and a lot has not changed. In addition to answering your questions, Walt's comments will focus on how you should deal with the current regulatory and examination environment, and will then turn the more positive prospects for community banks going forward. Take advantage of this great opportunity to share your questions and concerns. The 2010 Annual Convention is June 13-16 at Charleston Place in Charleston, SC. With questions about the convention, please contact GBA’s Susie McGehee at 404.420.2010.

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Interviewing Techniques Session Featured at Upcoming Security Conference
Interviewing is an art and a science. In this workshop you will learn some of the successful techniques used to interview suspects and gain confessions. Join Bob Anderson, formerly Senior Vice President, Protective Services Division, Bank of America, as he discusses preparation, documentation and other valuable tools available to make you a better interviewer. GBA’s 2009-2010 Security Committee has planned an exciting agenda for this year’s conference, scheduled for April 13-14 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 by phone, please call GBA’s Marybeth Jones at 404.420.2032.

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The Ultimate Career Booster:  Georgia Banking School
Registration is ongoing for the 49th-annual Georgia Banking School at the University of Georgia. The Georgia Banking School is a unique growth opportunity for qualified, highly-motivated bankers. The date for this year’s session is May 2-7. The school provides a well-balanced, three-year curriculum taught by UGA faculty members, experienced bankers and other industry experts. Each year, the curriculum is reviewed and updated by the school’s administrative committee to reflect the needs of the banking community. The School is designed to help your bank every day and launch the careers of future banking leaders. The $1,650 annual tuition covers everything except transportation and incidentals for one week, an enormous value to the bank and to the students. For more information, please call GBA’s Marybeth Jones at 404.420.2032.

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Banking School Alums and Others: New Executive Management Short Course Designed for You
You asked. We listened. We’ve added an Executive Management Short Course to be held in conjunction with the Georgia Banking School May 6-7 in Athens at the University of Georgia.  Sessions include:

• The Current Economic and Banking Environment:  Where Do We Go from Here?
• CEO/CFO Panel Discussion
• Special Assets:  Understanding, Protecting, Managing and Disposing of the Asset/Collateral
• Roundtable Discussion
• Strategic Issues:  A CEO Perspective

We encourage Georgia Banking School alumni, especially, to attend to continue your banking school experience with updated information.  For those who have not attended banking school, the new Executive Management Short Course is an excellent opportunity to experience first-hand why the Georgia Banking School is the best investment in human capital development you can make.  This new offering is a great way to learn valuable management skills as well as sample the more robust full school curriculum you or others may want to attend in the future. We’ve got an all-star lineup of presenters: Dr. James A. Verbrugge, University of Georgia, Department of Banking and Finance; Dawn Griffin, Liberty First Bank, Monroe; Bill Hopper, The National Bank of Georgia, Athens; Chris Simuro; Cohutta Banking Company, Chatsworth; Chris Marinac, FIG Partners, LLC, Atlanta; James Garrigus, Garrigus Consulting, LLC, Atlanta; Lawson Fanney; Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc., Atlanta; Charles Sharbaugh, Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker, Atlanta; and Bobby Heath, First American Bank and Trust Company, Athens. All this for only

$199 for the first person from your bank, then $149 for every other person; plus we’ve negotiated a special $110 hotel rate. Click here to register. With questions, contact Marybeth Jones at 404.420.2032.

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Ag Market Trends Session Highlights annual RD&L Conference
Join Dr. John McKissick, Professor and Extension Economist from the University of Georgia Department of Agriculture, Applied Economics, for an update on Ag market trends during this year's  Rural Development and Lending Conference. McKissick is a well-known and respected specialist in market trend analysis and general agricultural economics, will enlighten Georgia Agribusiness lenders on the status of current market outlooks. This year’s conference is scheduled for May 13-14 at the Savannah Riverfront Marriott. For hotel reservations, please call the hotel directly at 912.233.7722. For more information about the conference or to register by phone, please call GBA’s Marybeth Jones at 404.420.2032.

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Leadership Conference Lineup Includes Roundtable Discussions
With the unprecedented challenges facing bankers today, it is critical to learn about today’s hot issues and build professional relationships with your peers. This year's Leadership Conference’s Roundtable Discussions, led by Darron Burnette with Sea Island Bank in Statesboro, will help you gain and share knowledge about timely topics that can help you and your bank be successful. The Leadership Conference will be July 11-14 at Amelia Island Plantation in Amelia Island, Florida. Be sure to take advantage of the $395 early-bird registration special by registering before April 15. With questions about the conference or Leadership GBA, please call GBA’s Susie McGehee at 404.420.2010 or Jennifer Stevens at 404.420.2024.

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Bank Trainer Peer Group Meeting Scheduled for May 6
Here's a reminder to join us for the GBA-U’s Bank Trainer Peer Group May 6 at the University of Georgia Continuing Education Conference Center, Athens. We are excited to have two GBA Banking School Instructors on hand, Dr. James Verbrugge, Academic Director, University of Georgia, Department of Banking and Finance, and William S. Loyd, Director and Freshman Class Coordinator, Executive Vice President of South Carolina Bank and Trust. Each will speak briefly during roundtable discussions. We will end with a short question and answer session. Other topics for roundtables will include teller training, researching training topics, IRAs and training for Reg. CC. We'll also hear from June Somers, who will provide great information and some important tips how adults learn and how to train based on those factors. With questions, please contact GBA’s Alison Moreau at 404.420.2034.

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Last Chance to Sign up for GBA’s Employee Investigations Seminar – March 30
Register now for GBA’s Employee Investigations seminar scheduled for March 30, at Idle Hour Country Club in Macon.  This interactive one-day seminar will help you deal with the obstacles and challenges you face when conducting employee investigations.  The registration fee for this workshop is $225 per person. With questions or to register, please contact GBA’s Courtenay Pope at 404.420.2015.

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Learn about Judgments Levies and Garnishments at Collections and Recovery Seminar
GBA will host its Collections and Recovery seminar April 7 at the Idle Hour Country Club in Macon. Designed for personnel responsible for recovering money or collateral on behalf of the bank, this one-day seminar will provide a comprehensive overview of the fundamental legal principles involved in the collection process. Topics to be discussed include collateral documents, litigation process, borrowers defenses, judgments, levies, garnishments and much more. Gary Moser with Moser, Rose & Cox in Valdosta is the instructor. The registration fee is $225 for members. With questions, please contact GBA’s Courtenay Pope at 404.420.2015.

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Reg DD, E and CC Requirements Added to Deposit and Operations Compliance Seminar - April 13
GBA will host its Basic Deposit and Operations Compliance seminar April 13 at the Idle Hour Country Club in Macon.  This course will now include new Regulation DD + Regulation E requirements and regulation CC. In easy-to-understand language, this one-day seminar will cover the regulatory requirements in the area of deposit and operations compliance. The following topics will be covered:

• BSA + CIP + OFAC

• Regulation DD + Regulation E -

• OVERDRAFTS: NEW Disclosure Requirements + NEW “Opt-in” Process

• Regulation CC – Changes regarding nonlocal items and funds availability schedule

• NOW & MMDA account rules

• Advertising Compliance.

The registration fee is $225 for members. With questions, please contact GBA’s Courtenay Pope at 404.420.2015.

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Reg Z, RESPA Disclosures Key Concepts during Basic Loan Compliance Seminar – April 14-15
GBA will host its Basic Loan Compliance seminar April 14-15, at the Idle Hour Country Club in Macon. This course will include new Regulation Z and RESPA disclosures. This two-day seminar provides an in-depth look at loan compliance. It will cover basic compliance requirements, common problem areas and will offer extensive question-and-answer opportunities to address individual concerns. We will also complete several “real-world” loan compliance reviews and develop “risk-based” loan compliance “self-audit” checklists. Topics to be covered include:

• NEW Truth-in-Lending requirements

• NEW GFE + HUD Settlement Statement

• “Higher-Priced” Mortgage Loans + Escrow (Truth-in-Lending + RESPA Disclosures)

• Flood Insurance

• Fair Credit Reporting Act/FACT Act

• Regulation B + Fair Lending.

The registration fee is $225 for members. With questions, please contact GBA’s Courtenay Pope at 404.420.2015.

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Learn to Spot Fraudulent Tax Returns during Analyzing Personal Financial Statements Seminar
Designed for credit analysts, branch managers, consumer lenders and entry-level commercial lenders, this one-day seminar will cover step-by-step, the process of analyzing personal financial statements and tax returns. Mike Allen, EVP, Senior Credit Officer of State Bank and Trust, is the instructor. The seminar is April 21 at the Idle Hour Country Club in Macon. The registration fee is $225 for members. With questions, please contact GBA’s Courtenay Pope at 404.420.2015.

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Managing Workouts to Optimize Portfolio Value – April 22
This seminar is designed to provide participants with skills to support early recognition of problems, assessment of client viability, alternative courses of action for the lender and decision support for choosing appropriate actions. This one-day course will cover workout issues and is intended to optimize the resolution of problem loans in the bank’s commercial portfolio. Participants will learn about handling individual loans as well as portfolio management. Dr. Ruediger Mueller CTP, President of Turnaround Consulting & Management International, Inc. in Suwanee, is the instructor. The seminar is April 22 at Idle Hour Country Club in Macon. Registration is only $225 for members. With questions or to register, contact GBA’s Courtenay Pope at 404.420.2015.

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Seminar: Legal Issues for New Account Documentation
Designed for new accounts representatives, back-up new account personnel, certificate-of-deposit staff, bookkeeping and accountholder service personnel, this one-day seminar will teach new account personnel proper account-opening procedures and compliance requirements. Topics to be covered include signature-card contracts, a CIP Compliance overview, TIN compliance, individual accounts and much more. Patrice M. Konarik of Sunwest Training Corp. in Kendalia, Texas will be presenting. The seminar is April 27 in at the Holiday Inn Lanier Centre in Gainesville and April 28, at Idle Hour Country Club in Macon. The registration fee is $225. With questions, please contact GBA’s Courtenay Pope at 404.420.2015.

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AIB Online Instructor-Led Courses for the Month of April

Here are the instructor-led AIB online classes offered the week of April 19. 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.

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

• Commercial Lending, 16 weeks, $405 (April 19)

• General Accounting, 16 weeks, $515 (April 19)

• Introduction to Agricultural Lending, 8 weeks, $375 (April 19)

• Principles of Banking, 16 weeks, $405 (April 19)

• Principles of Banking Accelerated, 10 weeks, $335 (April 19)

• Trust Operations, 15 weeks, $405 (April 19)

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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GBA Webinars: Reg E Revisions and Lending Essentials among Many Hot Topics
GBA will offer the following webinars the week of March 29:

• Regulation E Revisions: Handling Overdrafts Created by EFTs - March 29

• Lending Essentials - Financial Analysis Tools, Pt. 2: Cash Flow Analysis - March 30

• Electronic Transactions, Overdraft Fees and the Electronic Funds Transfer Act: What Every Financial Institution Needs to Know - April 1

• Surviving 2010 - NPA Reduction, Liquidity, and Capital - April 1

• Analyzing Business Strength & Performance, Parts 1 & 2 - April 1

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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New Way to Save: Discounted Pricing Available for Local Market Interest Rate Data
The GBA and RateWatch have teamed up to offer members discounts on important competitive interest rate data to help you with your pricing decisions and also to evaluate your local interest rate markets related to new FDIC rules for rate caps. RateWatch supplies the FDIC with the interest rate data that it uses for its national averages calculations and local market analyses. Through this offer, you will have access to the same data used by the FDIC. RateWatch successfully meets the needs of all of its clients by acquiring interest rates, fees and other product information on more than 80,000 financial institution locations. So, as a new GBA Endorsed Vendor, RateWatch is your best choice for an apples-to-apples analysis of your local market. RateWatch has been proudly serving the financial industry since 1989. For 20 years, RateWatch has continuously evolved to provide clients with multiple options of one-time and subscription reporting in several key price-setting areas including deposits, loans and fees. Here are the discounts GBA members can now take advantage of through this new partnership with RateWatch:

1. All interested GBA members will be entitled to one FREE local-area market analysis to determine the average rates for their local-area market standard deposit products

2. GBA members who have not made a purchase from RateWatch in the past 12 months will receive:

   1. A 20% discount on a subscription to any report that includes 50 or more competitors; or

   2. A 10% discount on any report that includes less than 50 competitors.

3. GBA members who have a current subscription to a RateWatch report will receive:

   1. A 10% discount on any new report or renewal that includes 50 or more competitors; or

   2. A 5% discount on any new report or renewal that includes less than 50 competitors.

These are tremendously valuable services and discounts. Call or write to Denise Beech at 800.348.1831 ext. 216, to subscribe to a new report from RateWatch today.

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ABA Insurance Program: Bond and D&O Coverage
The GBA-sponsored insurance program formerly underwritten by Progressive Insurance has been sold back to the American Bankers Professional and Fidelity Insurance Co (ABPFIC) and will be managed by the new entity ABA Insurance Services, Inc. The transition is set to take place on April 2, 2010 (see the transition Q&A for details). ABA Insurance Services, Inc. is a bank-owned mutual insurance company managed by a board comprised primarily of bankers. It was created in 1987 to address a lack of available insurance coverage for banks at a reasonable price and to be a stabilizing force. Since inception, the program has insured more than 4,000 banks. In addition, the program has declared $67.5 million in distributions to ABA member policyholders. The Insurance Program is specifically designed for banks to provide the Financial Institution Bond and Directors and Officers coverage, as well as all other bank specific coverage such as Internet Banking Liability, Excess Deposit Bond and Combination Safe Depository. For more information, please contact Hayward McEver at McEver & Tribble, the GBA partner insurance specialist, at 404.949.3825 or Jason Faulkner with ABA Insurance Services Inc. at 1.800.274.5222.

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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
Watkinsville - North Georgia Bank
Congratulations to CEO Charles "Chuck" E. Williams on his recent appointment by Governor Sonny Perdue to serve on the Georgia Forestry Commission's Board of Directors. Williams is also GBA Vice Chairman.

Athens - AFB&T
Our sympathy to the family, friends and colleagues of Charles "Thomas" Ruark Sr. on his recent death. Thomas retired as President of the National Bank of Walton County in 1990 but remained on the Board of Directors until 2002.

Cartersville - Crescent Bank
Adam McCowan has been appointed Banking Officer and Credit Analyst.

Johns Creek - KeyWorth Bank
Crystal Minton has joined the bank as Financial Services Representative.

Winder - Verity Bank
Daniel J. Baker has been named Senior Vice President and Commercial Lender, and Leigh Milton has been named Vice President and Business Development Officer.

Atlanta - Georgia Senate
Congratulations to State Senator David Adelman on his recent confirmation by the U.S. Senate to serve as Ambassador to the Republic of Singapore.
 

Williams

McCowan

Minton

Baker

Milton

Adelman