Banks Show Improving Trends Nationally and Statewide in Q2 Results

Nationally, bank profits of $21.6 billion in the second quarter showed robust growth compared to the same quarter a year ago, and there are some signs of improvement in asset quality trends. According to the FDIC Quarterly Banking profile released this week, the national and statewide percentage of loans and leases that were noncurrent (90 days or more past due or in nonaccrual status) fell for the first quarter since early 2006. Georgia banks posted a combined loss of $694 million for the quarter, which is less than the same quarter a year ago, but a higher level from the first quarter of the year. About 51 percent of the state's banks were profitable in the quarter. Here are some other state trends of note.

• 53 percent of Georgia Banks reported earnings gains compared to 41.4 percent last quarter, 22.8 percent at year-end and only 18.5 percent a year ago.

• Deposits are up 3 percent from year end (+$6.4 billion), up 5 percent from first quarter and up about 1 percent over same quarter a year ago.

• Gross Loans and Leases were up for the second consecutive quarter, posting gains of $5 billion (2.6 percent) over first quarter 2010 and $345 million (marginal percentage) over year end. Loan balances are about 8.5 percent below the same quarter in 2009.

"Overall, there are some encouraging trends developing for Georgia banks," said Joe Brannen, GBA president and CEO. "However, the economy remains challenging and there are still unusually high levels of charge offs, both of which continue to be a drag on overall industry earnings. So, there will be some banks that continue to struggle, but perhaps we're on the cusp of seeing more consistent improvement across the board." News media from around the state noted these and other trends and called on GBA for comment, as public interest in the banking sector remains high. Hear how GBA characterized the report in one radio interview. To show long-term trends, the information in the chart below is a cumulative, year-to-date summary through the end of each quarterly reporting period for the past year, and the national quarter to quarter comparison. With questions, contact David Oliver, 404.420.2036, or Joe Brannen, 404.420.2026.

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New Features added to GBA's Georgia Banking Update

We've updated our quarterly Georgia Banking Update summarizing all the key facts, figures and issues important for Georgia banks and the state's economy. New this quarter is a summary chart of the Dodd-Frank Act issues and consequences, as well as notes about pending FASB proposals and the Georgia Special Council on Tax reform. And, there are the usual charts, lists and other updated information about industry performance, mortgage modification efforts, closed banks and CPP dividends paid by Georgia recipients. We encourage you to print out a copy and keep it handy, or refer to it online on our home page.

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State Banking Dept. Leaders Highlighted President/CEO Roundtables

Georgia Department of Banking and Finance Commissioner Rob Braswell and Senior Deputy Commissioner Steve Pleger joined the series of GBA President/CEO Roundtables held in Macon Aug. 24-27. During their sessions, they participated in open Q&A discussions with our Roundtable members. Among the topics covered were exam trends and practices, appraisals and other lending issues, capital, liquidity and funding, the general state of our industry, and our expectations for community banking in the future. “We are very grateful that our top state officials spent quality time with our GBA Roundtable groups last week," said facilitator Elaine Demarest of Demarest Strategy Group. "Discussions were informative, forward-thinking and solutions-based. All participants came away with a better understanding of the current regulatory environment and the common goal ahead of us to restore a stronger safety and soundness foundation in Georgia.”

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Doug Strange Joins Leadership GBA Executive Committee as At-Large Representative

Doug Strange, Ameris Bank, Moultrie will serve as an At-Large Representative on the Leadership GBA Executive Committee.  Doug is a Senior Vice President and Regional Credit Officer at Ameris and has been with the bank for five years.  Before joining Ameris Bank, he spent five years at KPMG-Peat Marwick in Atlanta and 10 years at Fleet Capital, later purchased by Bank of America. He is a 1991 graduate of the University of Georgia. Please join us in welcoming Doug to the Leadership GBA Executive Committee.

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Economic Reports Show Varied Trends

There were a host of economic reports about construction, manufacturing, consumer spending and confidence, home prices and the GDP in the past week that merit a few notes.

• Construction spending fell 1 percent to $805.2 billion in July, the lowest level in a decade, the Commerce Department reported.

• The Institute for Supply Management said its manufacturing activity index rose to 56.3 in August from 55.5 in July. Readings above 50 signify expansion, and July’s index marked the 13th straight month above that figure.

• Consumer spending rose 0.4 percent in July, the most since March, but following three months when spending was essentially flat, the Commerce Department reported.

• The Consumer Confidence Index rose to 53.5 in August from an upwardly revised 51.0 in July, the New York-based Conference Board reported.

• The Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller Home Price Index of 20 major cities rose 1.0 percent in June, the third straight increase after six months of declines, the group said yesterday. For the Atlanta area, prices rose 1.7 percent and were up 2 percent over a year ago. Prices rose in 17 of the 20 cities tracked by the index, and are up 4.2 percent from one year ago.

• The U.S. gross domestic product rose at a 1.6 percent annual rate in the second quarter, revised downward from the 2.4 percent estimated last month, the Commerce Department reported last Friday.

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Georgia Mortgage Delinquencies Creep Up, Foreclosure Starts Decline

The delinquency rate for mortgage loans on residential properties in Georgia was 12.39 percent at the end of the second quarter, an increase of 29 basis points from the first quarter of 2010, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. The delinquency rate excludes loans in the process of foreclosure. The percentage of loans in Georgia on which foreclosure was started during the quarter fell 24 basis points to 1.33 percent, while the percentage of loans in the foreclosure process at the end of the quarter fell 15 basis points to 3.73 percent. Among the 50 states and the District of Columbia, Georgia ranked 3rd in delinquencies and 5th in foreclosures started.

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Credit Unions: Tax Exemption on the Chopping Block?

The U.S. Economic Recovery Advisory Board has listed eliminating the tax exemption on credit unions in a comprehensive review of the U.S. tax code released this week. According to the report, “Eliminating this exemption would raise revenue and level the playing field, but would clearly raise taxes on credit unions.” The report predicts eliminating the credit-union tax exemption would simplify the tax code and ensure that all businesses with similar characteristics are treated equally. The report, among other things, will be submitted to the bipartisan National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, which is considering ways to address the nation’s middle- and long-term fiscal challenges.

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Bair says No More Bailouts, only Two Options Available

“There will be no more bailouts. There will be resolution or bankruptcy and that will be the option, and if an entity will show they can't be resolved in an orderly way they need to be downsized,” said FDIC Chairman Sheila Bair, during an agency-hosted roundtable about Dodd-Frank Act resolution authority issues. During the roundtable, Bair also said the FDIC will move quickly to issue an interim rule to guide resolutions of systemically important financial companies on the brink of failure. Some of the issues that will have to be worked out before the new rules go into effect include the treatment of creditors and the new “living wills” that certain firms will provide regulators to serve as roadmaps if they become financially distressed.

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Overdraft Survey: Half of Bank Customers Choose Overdraft Protection

A new survey shows 46 percent of bank customers report they have or will opt in to their bank’s overdraft program. New federal regulations went into effect recently restricting bank debit and ATM card overdraft practices. Survey respondents were informed that banks can no longer charge overdraft fees for debit card transactions unless the bank is given advance permission. They were also informed that if they did not choose to opt in for overdraft protection, their transactions could be denied if they overdrew their account.  Participants were then asked whether, based on that knowledge, they would choose to keep overdraft protection. “These results show that many bank customers value debit card overdraft protection and are willing to pay for the service,” said Nessa Feddis, vice president and retail banking expert for the American Bankers Association, which conducted the study “They are now in the driver’s seat and control the way their accounts are managed.” Read the ABA’s full release here… 

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FDIC Extends Application Period for Safe Account Pilot

Banks interested in participating in the FDIC's Safe Account Pilot  have a little more time to apply. The FDIC has extended for 30 days the application period for a pilot program to evaluate the feasibility of insured depository institutions offering safe, low-cost transactional and savings accounts that meet the needs of underserved consumers. Applications are now due by Oct. 15 and should be submitted through SafeAcctPilot@fdic.gov. Institutions will be notified of their selection by October 29. Information on the pilot program, reporting requirements, positive aspects of participation, eligibility of insured institutions and the application process is available here.

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2010 BankPAC Campaign Update
The following banks have contributed to the GBA StatePAC:

• Bank of Dawson, Barry Lyle, CEO

• Century Bank of Georgia, Cartersville, Rick Drews, CEO

• Citizens Bank & Trust Co., Eastman, Jim Williams, President & CEO

• First State Bank of Randolph County, Cuthbert, Charlie Curry, President & CEO

• The Citizens Bank of Forsyth, Cumming, Tim Perry, President & CEO

• The Peoples Bank, Eatonton, Chuck Haley, President & CEO

• United Bank, Zebulon, Jim Edwards, CEO

The officers, directors and staff of the following banks contributed to the GBA FedPAC:

• Citizens Bank & Trust Co., Eastman, Jim Williams, President & CEO

• Georgia Bank & Trust Company, Augusta, Dan Blanton, President & CEO

• Highland Commercial Bank, Marietta, Jim Powell, Chairman & CEO

For more information, please contact Elizabeth Chandler at 404.420.2027. Please see the BankPAC Update for year to date goals and contributions by group. StatePAC and FedPAC contribution forms are available here.

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New: FDIC Claims and D & O Insurance Session Added to President/CEO Conference Agenda

In the current environment, all directors and officers are concerned about potential D&O claims by the FDIC and the coverage provided by their D&O insurance policy. Join James Stevens, Partner, Kilpatrick Stockton, LLP, Atlanta; Mark Kanaly, Partner, Alston & Bird, LLP, Atlanta; Scott Sorrels, Partner, Sutherland Asbill & Brennan, LLP, Atlanta; and Steven Morrison, Senior Attorney, FDIC, Jacksonville, FL, as they discuss what has happened in these areas and the outlook for the future. GBA’s annual President/CEO Conference is Oct. 3-5 at The Lodge at Callaway Gardens. GBA has reserved a block of rooms at The Lodge at a reduced rate of $139 a night for single or double occupancy. You may make your reservation by contacting the hotel directly at 706.663-2281. The cut-off date for reservations is Sept. 10.  With questions, please contact GBA’s Susie McGehee at 404.420.2010.      

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GBA Retirement Services Welcomes New Member

GBA Retirement Services, Inc. is pleased to welcome to the Trust Liberty First Bank, Monroe, Dawn Griffin, President & CEO. The programs offered through GBA Retirement Services provide flexibility to meet the needs of any bank or associate member that may be looking at adding or changing its qualified retirement plan. Advantages of being part of the GBA Master Trust include GBA dedicated staff support as primary resource, Reliance Trust Company as discretionary Trustee to help reduce your liability, reduced fees with high quality service providers, ongoing investment education for employees, and an option for streamlining payroll services through the 401(k) Third Party Administrator, Alliance Benefit Group.  Please contact Mandy Richards at 404.420.2025 for more information about how GBA can help design a retirement plan for your bank.

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Deposit Insurance How-To Sessions Coming Up

The FDIC will host six free telephone seminars on deposit insurance coverage for bank officers and employees between Sept. 23 and Nov. 2. Four sessions will provide a basic overview of deposit insurance coverage, while two will focus on advanced deposit insurance coverage issues. Each session will consist of an audio and slide presentation, followed by a question-and-answer period. Details here.

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Save $125: GA Banking School Special!

The annual early registration special is now available to first-year students who register for the Georgia Banking School before
Jan. 1, 2011. The savings is $125 off of the full tuition. Click here for details and link for registration. Call GBA’s Marybeth Jones at 404.420.2032 for details.

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Hear Leading Experts in the Banking Industry at South Georgia Community Bank Symposium

Whether you’re a CEO, CFO, Senior Lender, Retail Bank Manager or a Bank Director, you won’t want to miss the opportunity to hear leading experts discuss the challenging issues facing the banking industry today. An economic outlook, regulatory issues and trends, the potential effects of federal guarantees for community banks’ small business lending programs and accounting and auditing issues are a few of the topics to be discussed at the South Georgia Community Bank Symposium Sept. 23 at Valdosta State University. Be sure and take advantage of the special pricing structure by registering several people from your bank for this event. The registration fee is $120 for the first attendee and $95 per person for each additional attendee. With questions or to register, please contact GBA’s Susie McGehee at 404.420.2010.

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Last Chance: Bankruptcy, Garnishments, Liens and Levies Seminar Sept. 8

Designed for collection officers, compliance officers and operations officers, this one-day seminar will address the changes and modifications in federal bankruptcy law as well as other changes and developments related to liens, levies and garnishments. The Bankruptcy, Garnishments, Liens and Levies seminar is scheduled for Sept. 8, at the Idle Hour Country Club in Macon. The registration fee is $225 for members and the instructor is Gary Moser with Moser, Rose & Cox, Valdosta. With questions or to register, please call GBA’s Courtenay Pope at 404.420.2015.

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Business Continuity: Seminar to Reveal Best Practices Sept. 16

Please join banking industry experts Thomas Hinkel, Director of Compliance at Safe Systems, and Zach Duke, EVP of Safe Systems, for an educational and critically insightful program to ensure that your institution has a recovery plan that is compliant AND effective. From operational and strategic risk, to reputation and regulatory risk, there is no other single process that can have a more far-reaching effect on your institution. This one-day seminar will be Sept. 16 at the 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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Sign up now for the GBA’s IRA Basics Seminar Sept. 28

Learn everything from A to Z about IRAs by attending GBA’s annual IRA Basics seminar. This comprehensive workshop will provide you with a complete understanding of the IRA as well as a review of significant proposed changes. Designed for new account representatives, certificate of deposit personnel and any officer/manager who oversees the IRA department, the seminar will be led by Patrice Konarik with Sunwest Training Corp. in Gilchrist, TX. The seminar also includes the 225-page IRA Training and Reference Manual, otherwise known as the “IRA Survival Guide” or the “Red Book”. This one-day seminar will be Sept. 28 at the Holiday Inn Lanier Centre in Gainesville. With questions or to register, please contact GBA’s Courtenay Pope at 404.420.2015.

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Don’t hesitate, sign up now for the GBA’s IRA Update Seminar Sept. 29

Make plans to register for GBA’s IRA Update seminar slated for Sept. 29 at Idle Hour Country Club in Macon. The session is designed for IRA personnel in new accounts, CDs, trust, investments and savings departments who are involved with the opening, selling, and administration of IRA accounts. This is considered an intermediate-level workshop for those with two years or more of experience. This comprehensive seminar will provide a thorough update and review of the significant final regulations regarding the Pension Protection Act and other IRA legislation. The seminar will be led by Patrice Konarik with Sunwest Training Corp. in Gilchrist, TX.  With questions or to register, please contact GBA’s Courtenay Pope at 404.420.2015. 

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Trainers Training Trainers: Peer Group Meeting Sept. 29

Be a part of GBA-U’s Bank Trainer Peer Group Wednesday, Sept. 29, at the Georgia Bank & Trust Operations Center, Martinez. We'll have peer roundtables discussing training in multiple markets, conference call/web based training and how to create an accountable working environment. Our featured speaker will be Chris Dilorenzo, president, The James Paul Group, Duluth. Chris will address the constant challenges of how to recognize training opportunities through observations and interviews, product knowledge testing and post-training evaluations and measurements. With questions, please contact Alison Moreau at 404.420.2034. 

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State and Fed Update on Tap at Bank Counsel Conference Oct. 3-5

This year's Bank Counsel Conference will feature Jerry Blanchard, partner with Bryan Cave, LLP, Atlanta, with an overview of the recent developments in state and federal laws affecting banks, how they affect bank clients and the advice counsel should give them. The conference will be held in conjunction with the President/CEO Conference on Oct. 3-5 at The Lodge at Callaway Gardens. GBA has reserved a block of rooms at The Lodge at a reduced rate of $139 a night for single or double occupancy. You may make your reservation by contacting the hotel directly at 706.663.2281. The cut-off date for reservations is Sept. 10. With questions or to register, please contact GBA’s Susie McGehee at 404.420.2010.

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Roundtable Discussion on Tap at Compliance Conference Oct. 19-20

How are you keeping up? Implementing new rules and the sheer number of regulation changes during the past 12 months have been daunting. Most of the changes occurred to old standby regulations like RESPA, Truth in Lending and Truth in Savings. Also, don't forget about the changes to Regulation E, Regulation CC, Fair Credit Reporting Act updates relating to consumer reporting, direct dispute and risk based pricing disclosures, new Privacy notices, and multiple changes to FDIC deposit insurance. Tammy Stacy, Vice President and Compliance Manager, The Brand Banking Company, Lawrenceville, will lead you in an interactive roundtable discussion about best practices and successful implementation strategies. Come ready to share. The Compliance Conference is Oct. 19-20 at The Idle Hour Country Club in Macon. Conference brochures have been mailed. For more information or to receive a brochure, please contact GBA’s Marybeth Jones at 404.420.2032 or Susie McGehee at 404.420.2010.

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Support GBA StatePAC by Attending BankPAC Golf Classic Oct. 27

Now more than ever, our PAC funds need to remain strong. Help fund out PAC campaign by playing in Leadership GBA's ninth-annual Georgia BankPAC Classic Wednesday, Oct. 27, at The Brickyard at Riverside in Macon. Registration for this two-person scramble tournament is $150 per person, $250 per team or $450 for a team and hole sponsorship. Proceeds from the tournament will be donated to the GBA StatePAC. Please call GBA’s Susie McGehee at 404.420.2010 with questions about the tournament. 

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September Classes: Economics, Supervisor's Certificate, Banking Basics Highlight AIB Offerings!

Here are the instructor-led AIB online classes offered the week of Sept. 27. 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. 

• Economics for Bankers, 16 weeks, $425

• Money & Banking, 16 weeks, $425

• Principles of Banking, 16 weeks, $425

• Supervisor Certificate, 16 weeks, $695

There is still availability in the following AIB Online classes beginning Sept. 20. Please register as soon as possible to secure a seat in the class. 

• Analyzing Bank Performance, 7 weeks, $765

• Consumer Lending, 16 weeks, $425

• General Accounting*, 16 weeks, $535

• Law & Banking: Applications, 16 weeks, $485

• Marketing Financial Services, 16 weeks, $425

• Principles of Banking Accelerated, 10 weeks, $355

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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Seminars: Get Key Updates about IRA’s, Collections, IRA, and Internal Audits

This fall, GBA-U will host the in-person seminars listed below. Be sure and check back for additional in-person seminars added to the GBA-U Calendar. For more details and access to registration information, check the Calendar of Events listing for any of the seminars you're interested in online at www.gabankers.com. 

• Last Chance to Sign up for Bankruptcy, Garnishment, Liens, & Levies - Sept. 8, Macon
  Recent legislation has created changes and modifications in Federal Bankruptcy Law. This informational seminar will address these changes as well as other changes and developments in the area of liens, levies and garnishments.

• Best Practices for a Compliant and Effective Business Continuity Plan - Sept. 16, Macon
  Join Banking industry experts Thomas Hinkel, Director of Compliance at Safe Systems, and Zach Duke, EVP of Safe Systems, for an educational and critically insightful program to ensure your institution has a recovery plan that is compliant AND effective.

• South Georgia Community Bank Symposium - Sept. 23, Valdosta
  This event will feature leading speakers who will focus on the many challenging issues facing the banking industry today. Some of the topics covered include: regulatory issues and trends, as well as the potential impact of regulatory reform legislation in Congress, feasibility and potential impact of federal guarantees for community banks’ small business lending programs, new regulatory guidelines and the need for new board policies in the areas of interest rate risk, the Amended Reg. Z rules, overdraft protection programs and potential future guidance on loan participation, accounting and auditing issues in key areas of loss impairment, appraisals and loan reserve adequacy, and Georgia Bankers Association efforts to support Georgia banks in terms of legislative initiatives and public relations.

• IRA Basics - Sept. 28, Gainesville
  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 an IRA review of significant proposed changes. The seminar includes the 275-page IRA Training and Reference Manual, otherwise known as the “IRA Survival Guide” or the “Red Book."

• IRA Update - Sept. 29, Macon
  This detailed workshop serves as an excellent refresher for the experienced IRA banker as well as a confidence builder on the more technical and complex areas of IRAs for the less experienced IRA representative. The seminar will provide a thorough update and review of the significant final regulations regarding the Pension Protection Act and other IRA legislation.

• Collections and Recovery - Oct. 13, Macon
  This seminar will provide a full overview of fundamental legal principles involved in the collection process. After completing the seminar, participants will have a working knowledge of the general collection process.

• Internal Audit - Oct. 21, Macon
  This one-day seminar will cover many of the basic concepts about community bank internal controls and internal audit techniques. Some highlights include: practical Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), risk based auditing, effectively communicating audit results and much more.

• Understanding Income Taxes - Nov. 17, Macon
  This class will cover the basics of your bank's income tax calculation including current and deferred tax, valuation allowances and multistate tax. You will learn how the expense is computed, the practical aspects of making estimated payments and what creates the deferred tax balances that remain on your balance sheet.

With questions or details please call or email GBA’s Courtenay Pope at 404.420.2015. 

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Webinar Highlights: Appraisal Review, SAFE Act, and Commercial Real Estate Highlighted

A GBA Webinar is a great way to quickly get training and skill updates you need right from the comfort of your bank or office. Check out these upcoming offerings. For more details and access to registration information, check the Calendar of Events listing for any of the webinars you're interested in online at www.gabankers.com. 

• Appraisal Review for Residential Mortgage Decisions- Sept. 8
  As the industry goes through troubled times, proper valuation of collateral is critical. Yet most people reviewing appraisals have never been properly trained in how to review this critical information. Covered topics include appraiser guidelines, valuation methods, review of the single family form, review of the multi family form, key information, red flags, review of new appraisal forms and guidelines

• Bank Secrecy Act Staff Training- Sept. 8
  This webinar addresses all requirements of the bank's BSA/AML training program as outlined in the BSA/AML examination procedures. The manual and presentation provide a complete training solution on this important topic.

• Social Media Rules: Risks & Records, Policies & Procedures - Sept. 9
  From Twitter and Facebook to YouTube and blogs, social media dramatically increases financial institutions' exposure to lawsuits, regulatory fines, security breaches, mismanaged business records, productivity drains, PR nightmares and other costly and protracted risks. Learn how a strategic social media policy program can help minimize risks to your financial institution, employees, and customers.

• SAFE Act: Registration of Mortgage Loan Originators- Sept. 9
  This monumental registration effort will impact lending personnel in every financial institution in the nation. This program provides the information needed to implement the new rules.

• Proposed Regulations on Garnishments and Exempt Funds- Sept. 9
  Several federal agencies have proposed a regulation that would require banks to research customer accounts before processing a garnishment. This webinar outlines the proposal and its possible effects.

• Commercial Real Estate Loan Documentation - Sept. 10
  comprehensive overview of key documents and requirements, along with best practices in commercial real estate documentation. Commercial real estate lending is a current "hot" topic and source of significant problem credits. This new seminar deals with most frequent mistakes and oversights plus key issues involved in sound commercial real estate lending. 

• Basic Consumer Lending Part 1- Sept. 13
  As regulators have become more and more concerned about commercial real estate exposure in commercial banks, consumer lending has returned as a viable source of earning assets. This two part series employs practical techniques that will result in increased loan volume and higher quality loans. In addition to lecture, case studies will be used.

• Learn From Others' Mistakes - Common Compliance Violations and How to Avoid Them- Sept. 14
  With the universe of compliance rules, regulations, interpretations, and the like growing more complex every day, the potential to violate the rules multiplies. In addition, many of these rules are not written in everyday English, and there are gray areas - again increasing the risk of violation. Many of the rules carry significant penalties for noncompliance (both in monetary terms as well as difficult examinations). This webinar concentrates on frequent compliance violations - those rules that historically cause the most violations.

All webinars are live and allow time for questions and answers. The $255 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 password to see the information online. With questions, please call or email GBA’s Courtenay Pope at 404.420.2015 

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REO Insurance: Get Great Rates with Online Program

The expense to insure foreclosed properties and time spent reporting them has grown significantly during the past year. Most banks are paying a much higher premium for this coverage than they should and are using out-of-date reporting systems. GBA members can access a new national Bank REO program, offered through GBA Strategic Partner McEver & Tribble, which was developed specifically for GBA members. The program’s online reporting system is the simplest, most efficient system in the market today. Save time and money with this new program. Companies using the program have seen cost savings of more than 25 percent in many cases, which can result in tens of thousands of dollars in savings, not to mention the time savings from using the new online system. Please contact Hayward McEver at 404.423.5677 to see how your current rate and reporting system compares to the rates and online system offered through this GBA program. 

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Trust & Investment Management Services for Your Valued Customers

For more than 30 years, Reliance Trust Company has been helping banks and bank associations service their clients by offering nontraditional bank financial services to the organization and their customers. Reliance is a customer service oriented, solutions based financial service provider and is keenly aware of the importance of professionalism in client relationships. By complementing the existing capabilities of each respective organization with the resources of Reliance, a more holistic suite of financial service solutions can be presented. This, in turn, leads to a more satisfactory view of the bank and its total client servicing capabilities.

Reliance offers a comprehensive, open-architecture suite of financial services including, but not limited to: Asset Custody (Corporate cash sweep & institutional money market fund portal, DTC and non-DTC security custody & accounting services), Investment Management (Equity/Fixed Income separate account management, mutual funds, asset allocation), Personal Trust Services (revocable/irrevocable, ILITs, charitable trusts, special needs trusts, estate settlement), Retirement Plan Services (Pension/Profit Sharing Plans, 401(k), Defined Benefit, ESOP, Directed/Discretionary Trustee, Institutional Custody), Insurance (life, health, disability, deferred compensation, annuities, long term care, retirement/estate planning strategies), Estate/Financial Planning, Securities Brokerage (stocks, bonds, mutual funds, options, LPs), Family Office/Comprehensive Wealth Management services and Trust/IRA Operations Outsourcing.

Reliance works closely with the bank’s assigned relationship management personnel, supporting their end-client relationship in a direct or indirect capacity as needed. Through a selling agreement, the bank is able to receive ongoing non-interest income revenues from those relationships being jointly serviced by Reliance affiliates. For more information contact Mark Teichner directly at 404.965.7239, or GBA’s Levi Crabtree directly at 404.420.2022.

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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 David Oliver and Bogan Brannen.

Newsmakers
 

Atlanta – Georgia Commerce Bank

Marvin Cosgray has been named Managing Director of Private Banking.

Atlanta – Midtown Bank

Donna Faer has been named Vice President and Mortgage Division Manager. Davis Land, Jr. has been named Mortgage Consultant. Jeff Hafer has joined the bank as a Mortgage Consultant for Midtown’s new division, Georgia Mortgage Specialists.

Suwannee – Quantum National Bank

Douglas Krentz has joined the bank’s SBA Lending Team.

Cosgray	Faer	Land	Hafer