A regular electronic publication of the Georgia Bankers Association

www.gabankers.com

 April 6, 2001

 

About the GBA
Board of Directors
Bank/Thrift CEOs
Georgia Banks Online
Associate Members
Strategic Partners & Products
Bank Counsel Section
Volunteer Committees
 Electronic Publications

Annual Convention Reminder
A detailed confirmation package will be sent to all registered participants this week, so please check your records to make sure you have sent your registration into the GBA. The confirmation package will contain vital information that you will need to make final plans for your trip.  If you have not yet decided to attend the convention, you still have time to work out your travel details. Call the GBA representative at Age of Travel at 1-800-878-4237 to secure a cost-effective flight. The hotel cut off date is April 12, so please call 1-800-532-0500 today to make your reservation. It’s not too late to join your friends and colleagues for an information-packed, fun-filled event. Call June Somers at (404) 420-2012 with questions.

 

 


Annual Convention

 

 

 

Banking Expo a Success
GBA’s Banking Expo 2001 held on March 27-28 was a huge success.  Over 350 bankers from around the state met with exhibitors and attended educational sessions at the Cobb Galleria in Atlanta.  Nearly 100 booths filled with information, tools, equipment and expertise provided the participants with more that they could absorb and take home. We would like to specially thank Chair Chris Edwards of United Bank, Zebulon, and the Operations/Technology Committee for planning such a great program.  We were delighted to have Congressman Johnny Isakson with us to deliver the keynote address.   The educational sessions were well attended and the presenters are to be commended for the quality of their presentations and the timeliness of the information.   Last but not least, a huge thank you to our vendors who exhibited at the Expo.  Look for the Online Expo at the GBA website soon where these exhibitors will remain on display for the remainder of the year. Congratulations to Mickey Parker with Piedmont Community Bank in Gray for winning the Grand Prize of two roundtrip airline tickets to anywhere in the continental United States or the Caribbean.  Expo will not be held in 2002, but the dates are set for 2003.  See you there on March 25-26!

Welcome Associate Members
Congratulations to the following companies for being approved for Associate Membership at the March 27, 2001 Board meeting:

  • BlueSuit, Inc., Chicago, Illinois, Ryan Lanham, President & CEO

  • Brintech, Inc., New Smyrna Beach, Florida, Harold Brewer, CEO

  • Collins Direct, Greenville, South Carolina, Dan Jackson, President

  • Development Corporation of Middle Georgia, Macon, Thomas McMichael, President

  • ExpressData Corporation, Acworth, Laurie Freeman, CEO

  • Harland Financial Solutions, Portland, Oregon, John O’Malley, President

  • Heritage First Bank, Trion, William B. Hurley, Chairman & CEO

  • Netzee, Inc., Atlanta, Donny Jackson, CEO

  • Renaissance Interactive, Atlanta, Rich Cannon, CEO

  • Southern Equipment Dealers Association, Dublin, Billy L. Adams, Executive Director

Associate Members have played an important part of the GBA during most of our 105 years.  Today, more than 100 businesses are enjoying increased visibility and expanded marketing opportunities while banks are receiving more options for top quality, cost-effective products and services.  Company descriptions and contact information has been added to our webpage or contact Renee Valdez at (404) 420-2036.

2001 State Legislative Issues
 Governor Roy Barnes
Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor
Georgia House of Representatives
 Georgia State Senate
 Federal Legislative Issues
U.S. Congress
 Legislative Updates
Legal Issues

 

Wrap-Up Edition of the 
Legislative Update

President's Budget
We applaud President Bush's efforts to maintain the momentum of decreasing federal spending and lowering taxes. Two areas are of particular concern to the banking industry, however. 

SBA Funding. Steve King at Horizon Bank in Decatur sent a letter to Sen. Max Cleland about proposed cuts for the Small Business Administration (SBA).  Many Georgia bankers rely on the SBA for long-term financing for their small business customers and the drop in federal support for these SBA programs will make them less attractive to both banks and their customers.  If this also concerns your bank, let your Senators and Representatives know.

State Bank Exam Fee.  At press time, the Senate was making efforts to delete language that would create a new fee for state bank exams.  The FDIC and Federal Reserve Board already have full authority to assess fees should they become necessary, and GBA has opposed these new fees.  Please let your representatives know your thoughts about this proposal as we continue to review the budget for other bank-related issues.

Bankruptcy Reform
The House-passed and Senate-passed bankruptcy reform bills have been stymied at present from going to conference over the uncertainty of how the conference would work in a 50-50 Republican-Democrat Senate. Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-MS) is adamant that more Republicans than Democrats represent the Senate on the conference committee, and Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) is just as firm in insisting on equal representation at the conference table for the Democrats. Since this is the first bill to go to conference this Congress, what Senate Leaders decide now will set a precedent for future conferences but there does not seem to be much motivation at this point for either party to make a move.  However, there is talk that the differences between the two bills will be worked out through an informal "shadow" conference.

Calendar of Events
Schools
Conferences
Seminars
Events
 Georgia AIB
 Leadership GBA
Personal Economics Program (PEP)
Internet Training

Georgia Banking School Just 
Around the Corner
There is still time to register for the first year class in the Georgia Banking School, which will be held on the University of Georgia campus April 29-May 4. The School is the premier school in the state for Georgia bankers to receive a well-rounded education in all areas of banking.  A significant part of the program revolves around the bank simulation program that allows students to make real-life decisions without having to face the real-life consequences.  More than half the students a LSU’s Graduate School of Banking are graduates of GBA’s Georgia Banking School. The three-year school is essential for all Georgia bankers seeking to advance their careers.  Call Marybeth Jones at (404) 420-2032 for more information. 

Agriculture Conference on April 19-20
It’s not too late to register for GBA’s Agriculture Conference to be held April 19-20 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Macon.  Georgia Chamber of Commerce President Lindsay Thomas will discuss water issues and Dr. John McKissick, professor and extension economist at the University of Georgia, will give an economic overview of agricultural trends. Evening entertainment includes dinner and a tour of the Georgia Music Hall of Fame.  Please call GBA’s Norma Guild at (404) 420-2031 for more information.  

Human Resources Professionals…
Mark Your Calendars
Join your colleagues at GBA’s Human Resources Conference on May 10-11 at Callaway Gardens.  This conference has been especially designed to allow time for networking and discussion among attendees.  Veronica Biggins, Senior Partner with the worldwide search firm of Heidrick & Struggles, will be the featured speaker. Steve Greene of Matthews & Greene will give an update on current legal issues facing HR managers. Call Callaway Gardens directly for reservations at (800) 282-8181.   For conference specifics, call GBA’s Norma Guild at (404) 420-2031.

New Capital Structure is Taking Shape. 
Georgia Bankers Can Help Build It.
Georgia members of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta are invited to learn about the FHLBA’s new capital structure and help shape the final plan.  Meetings to discuss the new plan will be held on April 9 in Macon at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and on April 11 in Atlanta at the Hyatt Regency downtown.  Both meetings begin at 9 a.m.  To register, visit the FHLBA’s website at www.fhlbatl.com and click on “Meetings and Conferences,” or call the Bank at 1-800-536-9650 for a registration form.

Insurance Trust, Inc.
Retirement Services, Inc.
GBA Services, Inc.

 

Online Communities Help Banks Woo Small Business Customers
They’re the bread and butter of community bank success, but attracting small business customers – and keeping them -- remains a major challenge for most community banks. 

Online Banking Isn’t Enough
According to the 2001 American Banker study on small business banking trends, less than 20 percent of community banks’ small business customers actively use Internet banking or cash management services – a disappointing statistic considering the affordability and availability of the product.

The key to increasing small business use of Internet banking programs is to offer commercial customers more than just a spot to check balances and conduct transactions.  Many banks are capitalizing on their Internet real estate and enhancing online banking programs by offering comprehensive Internet resources that cater to commercial customers – a business portal.

Building a Business Community
So how does a community bank go about building a business portal? Lacking the infrastructure and technical resources to research, build, and maintain such a site, most banks opt to partner with a provider willing to offer these services.   Normally, partnering entails placing the bank’s logo and colors on the ready-built and fully operational portal site of the provider.  While this is the most effective way for a bank to develop a business portal, success hinges on the quality of the provider’s product. 

Finding the right partner can be tough, but asking the following questions will help team your bank with the best provider:

  • Are your products and services suitable for all types of businesses?

  • Do you perform due diligence on all companies that provide services on your portal?

  • Will you co-brand the portal so that it appears to be that of the bank?

  • Do you handle all back-office tasks?

Building an online community for commercial customers not only transforms a bank’s website into a financial hub, it changes the way commercial customers work.  Bringing together the best resources available on the Internet and leading customers to it turns an ordinary bank website into an extraordinary web resource and customer retention tool. For more information, contact Private Business’ Katrina Nidiffer at 800-235-5584.

Welcome New Participants
The Board of the GBA Insurance Trust welcomes Community First Banking Company, Carrollton, Gary Dorminey, CEO, and SouthBank, N.A., Woodstock, Mickle Moye, CEO, to the Trust.  These banks 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.

GBA Retirement Services Update
Community banks and GBA’s associate membership continue to recognize the advantages of retirement services provided by the GBA Master Trust and now other companies can too.  The GBA Retirement Services, Inc. Board of Directors recently approved a commission schedule for banks that bring in new clients to the Trust.  In addition to participating in the GBA 401(k) and Pension Plans, banks can now also refer their commercial customers and earn a commission fee in the process.  Several program designs are available to provide plan sponsors the flexibility they want, and the master plan concept offers cost savings that make plans for even small groups of 25 or fewer employees affordable.  For more information about the programs and services provided by the GBA Master Pension and Profit Sharing Trust, please contact Mandy Richards at (404) 420-2025 or Bruce Shaw at (770) 642-2150.

Blue Cross Merges with Wellpoint 
Health Networks, Inc.
Many of our members have begun receiving their check from the stock issued in 1996.  Approximately $41 million will be issued to bank employees across the state that elected to be a shareholder.  Those employees that were covered during the time of September 1, 1995 to February 1, 1996 were eligible to elect the stock.  If you are a shareholder and have not received your check, you may call the distributing agent, Chase Melon Bank, at 1-800-520-5264.  If you are not sure whether or not you are a shareholder, you may call Blue Cross and Blue Shield Shareholders Service at 1-800-314-2580.  We are proud of the achievements Blue Cross and Blue Shield has made and delighted that we were eligible participants through the Georgia Bankers Association Insurance Trust to be offered the shares of stock.

Some Of The Services Available 
Through GBA Services, Inc.

  • Financial Publications-Georgia Banking Laws, Bank Directories 

  • Discounted Check Program

  • Internet Loan Closing Program

  • Commercial Loan Underwriting and Total Relationship Pricing

  • Checking Club Programs

  • Discounted Long Distance Program

  • Accounts Receivable Financing

  • Bond and D&O Insurance

  • Non-Qualified Executive Benefits

  • Trust and Investment Services

  • Payroll Deduct Home and Auto Insurance

GBA Services, Inc. is governed by a board composed primarily of community bank presidents who look for the best products and services available.  They do the due diligence for you and you can rely on their efforts.  For more information on any of these services, please contact Renee Valdez at (404) 420-2036.

Newest Banks Linked
Welcome to Century Bank of Bartow County, Cartersville, Sam Smith, President, and Geo. D. Warthen Bank, Sandersville, Ken Bibb, President, as the latest banks to link to GBA’s website.  Call GBA’s Lydia Thomas at (404) 420-2039 when your bank’s ready to be linked.

Alpharetta, North Atlanta National Bank
Kristina Smith has joined the bank as Client Service Representative.

Athens, Athens First Bank & Trust Company
Gene Higginbotham has joined the bank as Director and Chas Chastain as Banking Officer.  Kerri Hammond, Alison Norris and Myung Chang have been promoted to Assistant Vice President; Stephen Sceals and Marqueta Reese to Branch Manager; Leah Banks and Mike Henderson to Banking Officer; Shena Burns and Janie Hoyt to Relationship Manager; and Claudia Wiseman to the Management Associate Program.  

Bainbridge, First Community Bank of Southwest Georgia
Frank Posey has joined the bank as Senior Vice President and Senior Lending Officer.

Carrollton, West Georgia National Bank
Wayne Hopkins has been named Branch Manager and Julian C. Carter, Jr. Business Development Officer and Commercial Lender at the bank’s new Douglasville branch.

Duluth, First National Bank of Gwinnett
Teresa Durkee and Kim Brooks have been promoted to Banking Officer.

Hiawassee, Bank of Hiawassee
Robert L. Anderson, III and M. Lauch McKinnon have joined the bank’s Board of Directors.

Pelham, Pelham Banking Company
Suzanne T. Anderson and Betty S. Palmer have been elected to the bank’s Board of Directors. 

Richmond Hill, Bryan Bank & Trust
Ron Martin has joined the bank as Senior Vice President.

Rockmart, United Bank & Trust
Melissa Deems has been appointed Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Vickie B. Sutton Senior Vice President and Chief Lending Officer.

GBA’s e-Bulletin List
 Almost 500 bankers are on GBA’s email distribution list to receive the e-Bulletin as well as the e-versions of our Legislative Update and warnings about bank scams.  We don’t share or sell our email list and don’t send frivolous information to our recipients.  We’ll continue sending the paper version, and we don’t limit the number of bankers from any one bank on the list.  Send an email to GBA’s Lydia Thomas to get added.

For more information, send an e-mail to the Webmaster.

GBA Staff e-mail and direct phone numbers, snail mail addresses, fax and phone numbers