www.gabankers.com

Membership Renewal Time
GBA’s 2001 fiscal year begins July 1 and letters were sent this week to bank chief executive officers about our plans.  “Our investment in the future of our industry can be no better spent than with the Georgia Bankers Association,” said association chairman, E.J. “Jud” Vann, IV, President of Planters and Citizens Bank, Camilla.  “We are fortunate to have virtually every bank in the state as a GBA member, and we look forward to serving your needs again this next year,” he concluded.  As is our custom, dues drafts will be deposited on July 1 for the convenience of our members. Some banks prefer to pay their dues by check and it would be helpful to receive those checks by July 1 so your bank’s draft will not be deposited. Please call GBA’s Joe Brannen at (404) 420-2026 with questions about your dues statement.  Thank you for your continuing support!

Associate Members Recognized
A reception was held earlier this week to recognize and thank our associate members for their active participation in the GBA.  The event was also used to recognize the outgoing associate member representative to the GBA Board of Directors, Walter G. Moeling, IV of Powell, Goldstein, Frazer & Murphy, and to introduce the new associate member representative to the Board, Elaine Demarest, the principal in her firm, Elaine Demarest, CPA, P.C. in Macon.  “I am honored to have been elected by my peers to represent you on the GBA Board of Directors, and I ask each of you to let me know of issues you want brought to the Board’s attention,” Elaine said in remarks at the event.  In other news about associate members, the GBA Board of Directors recently voted to admit the following firms into associate membership:  DigitalCars.com, Inc., Macon, Neal Halperin, President; E-Invest, Atlanta, W. Jonathan Wride, President; Gulf Guaranty Life Insurance Co., Jackson, MS, Richard C. Robertson, President; JFB Associates, Atlanta, John F. Brown, Principal and S. M. Wells & Associates, Inc., Atlanta, Susan Wells, President.  Please join us in welcoming these new members.  If your bank is using the services of a firm that is not an associate member, do them a favor by having them call GBA’s Alan Van Tuyl at (404) 420-2033.  Alan will give them information about associate membership and the benefits of belonging.

Federal Legislative Issues
State Legislative Issues
Georgia House of Representatives
Georgia State Senate
U.S. Congress
Bank Regulators

Deposit Insurance Reform
Congress continues to hear from bankers about the various proposals to reform the deposit insurance system.  Most observers believe this year’s congress will use the input they are getting to determine the scope and course of deposit insurance in the 2001 session.  As reported in previous Bulletins, several priorities have surfaced among surveys of our leadership within the association:  raising the coverage level to $200,000 and indexing it to inflation; capping the fund so that it does not continue to grow beyond actuarially prudent levels; and rebating excess reserves once the FICO bonds are retired.  There are a number of other issues being considered as a part of deposit insurance reform.  "We need your suggestions on the issues most important to you and the priorities you think we should place on each of the individual components," said GBA Chairman-elect and Public Affairs Committee Chairman, E. James Burnsed, Chairman of Bryan Bank & Trust in Richmond Hill. Please print out the CEO survey and fax it to the GBA office.

Proposed EPA Rules
Congressman Saxby Chambliss, Congressman Sanford Bishop and the Georgia Forestry Association held a public hearing earlier this week on proposed rule changes by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Clean Water Act.  This proposal, if finalized, would reclassify forestry activities from a non-point source to a point source of water pollution thereby subjecting property owners to an expensive and time consuming federal permit process.  Fortunately, after overwhelming public comment and Congressional inquiries, the EPA decided late last week not to include forestry provisions in the regulations that will be finalized this summer.  Instead, they will reissue proposed regulations related to forestry later this fall after further review of the concerns raised by interested parties.  As originally proposed, these regulations would threaten the $20 billion impact of the forestry industry on Georgia’s economy and 177,000 jobs.  The GBA will continue to follow this important issue and keep you informed.  Please call GBA’s Elizabeth Way at (404) 420-2027 with any questions or comments.

Federal Crop Insurance Reform
The House and Senate passed the Agricultural Risk Protection Act on May 25, 2000.  This much needed legislation will reform the federal crop insurance program and provide producers with economic assistance to compensate for low commodity prices and crop losses.  The package includes funding to reduce premiums on crop insurance and will encourage more farmers to buy coverage.  Additional assistance will be sent to farmers by September 30 through additional market transition payments.

Calendar of Events
Schools
Conferences
Seminars
Georgia AIB
Professional Development Guide
Internet Training

Leadership GBA Conference to Convene July 23-26
In today’s tight labor market, it is crucial to provide professional development opportunities to your key career employees in order to keep them happy, motivated, committed and prepared to be leaders in your organization. To help fulfill this need, GBA’s Leadership Development Section (formerly known as Young Bankers) has planned a conference that not only focuses on leadership skills and other professional development topics, but offers many opportunities for interacting with other career bankers and sharing ideas about the industry.  

At Amelia Island Plantation, July 23-26, 2000, more than 120 community bankers will meet, focus on their leadership skills, network with each other and learn more about how to impact their bank’s success. This year they will hear from Secretary of State Cathy Cox about their role in shaping public policy. Lee Wetherington will discuss e-Commerce opportunities. Ellen Raulerson shows us how to develop internal marketing and its impact on profitability. Tom Cunningham will give us an economic update. And there is much, much more. Being represented at this year’s GBA Leadership Conference is one of the better strategic ideas of the year. Don’t miss this excellent professional development opportunity.  For more information call GBA’s Susie McGehee at (404) 420-2010.

Welcome New Participants
The Board of the GBA Insurance Trust welcomes  United National Bank, Cairo, Mike Chastain, CEO, and Lloyd Associates, Atlanta, Carolyn T. Lloyd, CEO, to the Trust.  They join more than 275 other community banks and associate members taking advantage of this unmatched member benefit.  Call GBA’s Susan Kelley at (404) 420-2017 with questions.

Trust Welcomes New Member
GBA Retirement Services, Inc. is pleased to welcome a new participating plan sponsor:  North Georgia Bank, Watkinsville, Chuck Williams, President/CEO.  The programs offered through the GBA Master Trust provide flexibility to meet the needs of any bank or associate member who may be looking at adding or changing their qualified retirement plan.  The Master Trust provides high quality, affordable pension, profit sharing, and Section 401(k) programs for banks of all sizes.  Please contact Mandy Richards at (404) 420-2025 or Bruce Shaw at (770) 642-2150 to get more information about how GBA can help you with your retirement plan design.

Protect Your Employees through the GBA Workers Compensation Program
GBA Services, Inc. is pleased to announce their choice of Affinity Service Group as our partner for the GBA Workers’ Compensation Program. Underwritten through Legion Insurance Company (Best Rated Excellent: A IX) this program offers a combination of competitive pricing, superior claims management, and access to certified, managed care for injured employees. This plan is designed to be easy-to-use, making the purchase of Workers Compensation highly customized to GBA member banks and extremely user-friendly.  The program is offered exclusively through GBA Services, Inc., a subsidiary of the Georgia Bankers Association.  For more information on this program, please contact GBA’s Renee Valdez at (404) 420-2036.

More Banks Linked
Welcome to Walton Bank & Trust Company, Monroe; First Security National Bank, Norcross; and First Bank of Georgia, Thomson.  They are the latest banks to link to GBA’s website at www.gabankers.com. Call GBA’s Lydia Thomas at (404) 420-2039 to link your bank.

Alpharetta, North Atlanta National Bank
The bank announces their partnership with the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) to provide counseling and banking services to entrepreneurs and small business owners in North Fulton.

Athens, First American Bank & Trust Company
Our sympathies to the family of bank Chairman Clarence McLanahan who passed away on June 2.

Atlanta, Morgan Keegan & Co., Inc.
Julie Muse has been promoted to Financial Advisor and Michaela Mercer has been appointed Registered Sales Assistant.

Augusta, Georgia Bank & Trust Company of Augusta
Dee Ellis has joined the bank as Assistant Vice President and Business Development Officer.

Cornelia, Community Bankshares
The company announces the following promotions and additions:  Wesley A. Dodd, Jr. to Executive Vice President, Corporation Finance; Keith H. Griggs to Senior Vice President, Loan Review; James G.W. Mullis to Senior Vice President, Corporate Controller; Linda T. Smart to Senior Vice President, Auditor; Mary Wilkinson to Vice President & Human Resources Director; Rolando Almazan to Assistant Vice President; and Kathleen B. Tench to Administrative Officer.  Deborah Rhea Hudson has joined the company as Corporate Training Director and Frank W. Wingate as Executive Vice President and Head of the Corporate Retail Banking Division.

Cornelia, Community Bank & Trust
Our sympathies to the family of Harry H. Purvis, member of the Board of Directors, who passed away on May 29.

Fayetteville, Southern Community Bank
Congratulations to the officers, employees and directors on their recent opening.  The board announces the following elections:  Gary D. McGaha to President & CEO; Fred L. Faulkner to Chief Lending Officer; Leslye L. Grindle to Chief Financial Officer; Melanie D. Rexrode to Vice President, Commercial Lending; Tracie A. Banks to Assistant Vice President, Real Estate Lending; and Pamela H. Davis to Corporate Secretary.

Cordele, Mid State Banks, Inc.
Tommy Thompson has moved from Planters Bank, Hawkinsville to a position with the holding company.

Jackson, McIntosh State Bank
Sandi Roberts has been promoted to Assistant Vice President-Operations and Jan Peeks to Mortgage Banking Officer.

Lawrenceville, nBank.com
Ronald G. Walton has joined the bank to direct the bank’s new residential mortgage participation lending activities.

Oakwood, Southern Heritage Bank
Tren Watson has been named President and CEO.

Peachtree City, Peachtree National Bank
Nathan Rushin has been promoted to Commercial Lender and Blake Williamson to Branch Manager.

Powder Springs, Independent Bank & Trust Company
Congratulations on the bank’s newly earned status as an SBA Preferred Lender by the United States Small Business Administration (SBA).

Villa Rica, Hometown Bank
The bank announces the following promotions and additions:  Laura B. Cross to President; Jim Emory as Chief Credit Officer; and Leland Brantley as Chief Financial Officer.

GBA’s e-Bulletin List
Several members have inquired about adding individuals in their bank to the e-Bulletin email distribution list and if we would send the e-Bulletin to people who were not on our regular mailing list.  These bankers want an easier way to distribute the Bulletin among their staff.  The answer: of course!  Let GBA’s Lydia Thomas know who you want added.

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