A regular electronic publication of the Georgia Bankers Association

www.gabankers.com

 October 5,  2001

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Bankers Respond
We told you in the last Bulletin about bankers in Vienna raising money for the Red Cross, and from time to time we’ll report on others.  Let us hear about your efforts.  First National Bank of Coffee County in Douglas sponsored the “Ride Against Terrorism.”  Over 100 motorcyclists participated in a poker run where they traveled from Douglas to Alma, Waycross, Homerville and back to Douglas.  The bikers drew a playing card at each stop and the best poker hand at the end of the ride was declared the winner.  More than $2,500 was raised for the Red Cross.  Bankers are also contributing to the Victims and Families Relief Fund being sponsored by our colleagues with the New York and Virginia Bankers Association and coordinated by the American Bankers Association.  Call GBA’s Joe Brannen at (404) 420-2026 with questions.

“Let’s Roll” (Todd Beamer, 9.11.2001)
Todd Beamer was a young father of two with another child on the way.  His widow described him and his heroic act as an “ordinary guy who did an extraordinary thing.”  Beamer was a passenger on the hijacked plane heading toward Washington, D.C.   He and other passengers took action that caused the plane to crash in rural Pennsylvania killing all aboard but probably saved the lives of countless others.  Beamer was our generation’s complement to 21-year-old American Revolution martyr Nathan Hale and his famous final words, “I regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.”  The words today are simpler and more direct, but they ring just as true.  Bankers are taking action, too.  You have led fund raising efforts (see article at left), given employees time off to assist with local community events and been counselors to your customers who are concerned about their financial future.  Thank you for being the stalwarts of our communities!

Group Meetings Conclude
The final three Group Meetings for 2001 were held recently in Waycross, Statesboro and Dublin and we appreciate all the support we received from our members, associate members and bank counsel members who attended.  “The Group Meetings gave us a chance to hear what was on the minds of many of our members and afforded us the opportunity to tell them about some of our key initiatives,” said GBA Chairman Jimmy Burnsed, Chairman and CEO of Bryan Bank & Trust in Richmond Hill.  “We regret the circumstances surrounding the terrorist attacks forced the cancellation of the Group Meetings in Albany, Perry and Cartersville, and we appreciate our members’ understanding and support of our decision,” he concluded.  Since GBA’s leadership is elected at the Group level, mail ballots were used this year in those three Groups.  Click here for a list of all the Group Officers elected this year.  Odd-numbered Groups elected a representative to the GBA Board of Directors for a two-year term beginning at next year’s annual convention.  Those five new directors are:

Congratulations to each of these leaders!  They will be joining the existing board members representing the even numbered Groups who began their terms this year along with four at large directors and the five GBA officers.

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

 

FINCEN Hotline
The Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has established a financial institutions hotline, 1-866-556-3974, to voluntarily report to law enforcement suspicious transactions that may relate to recent terrorist activity against the United States. The purpose of the hotline is to facilitate the immediate transmittal of this information to law enforcement and it will be operational 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Information pertaining to the Office of Foreign Assets Control's (OFAC) specially designated nationals list, or questions concerning the financial institution’s compliance with OFAC regulations, should be directed to OFAC at its existing hotline at 1-800-540-6322.

Let’s Tee it up for BankPAC!
Leadership GBA will host its First Annual Georgia BankPAC Classic on Wednesday, October 17, 2001 at the Oakview Golf and Country Club in Macon.  This two-man scramble tournament promises to be a challenging and fun event for everyone!  It is also a great opportunity to invite your legislators and directors to meet and play golf with your colleagues in the banking industry.  The proceeds from this tournament will be donated to the GBA StatePAC.  There are still spaces available so register now for a great time and a chance to win the Georgia BankPAC Trophy!  If you have any questions concerning the tournament, call GBA’s Susie McGehee at (404) 420-2010. 

 GBA BankPAC Update
 Since the last Bulletin, the officers and directors of the following banks have participated in the Georgia BankPAC 2001 campaign by contributing to the GBA StatePAC:

In addition, officers and directors of the following banks have contributed to the GBA FedPAC:

Thanks to everyone for your support.  If you have questions or need additional information, please contact GBA’s Elizabeth Way at (404) 420-2027 for additional information.

Compliance Exam Hot Button
Bankers who have recently undergone compliance exams tell us the examiners are focusing on reimbursable violations of the Truth-in-Savings Act.  Many banks have updated their software programs and may find themselves in technical violations as the computer program may not be accomplishing what you originally disclosed to your customer.  The examiners apparently have no flexibility available to them and the reimbursable violation extends back to your last compliance exam.  We suggest our members review this area of the bank to ensure compliance and pay close attention that the wording of your disclosure documents matches the output from your data processing system.

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

Banking School Early Bird Registration
The deadline for the Georgia Banking School “Early Bird” discount is December 31.  Take advantage of the $125 savings by registering for the Class of 2004 now.  The Georgia Banking School, a three year resident and home study program, meets in 2002 at the University of Georgia, April 28-May 3.  Call GBA’s Marybeth Jones at (404) 420-2032 for details and registration information.

Fall Workshops
GBA’s Asset/Liability Management Committee is co-sponsoring two workshops this fall with the Financial Managers Society at the J.W. Marriott Hotel in Atlanta. The two-day workshop, Customer Profitability Measurement in Financial Institutions:  Accounting Implementation Issues, November 12-13, shows you how to get the most accurate data for decision-making with these measurement tools:  net interest margin and funds transfer pricing, activity-level standard unit costs and capital assignment and loss provisions.  The other two-day workshop, Controlling Information Technology Risks in Community Banks, November 13-14, covers the fundamentals of information technology (EDP) auditing and will address technology issues challenging the financial executive of a community bank.  There is an optional half-day session on AS/400 Security & Audit on the afternoon of November 12th.  Contact GBA’s Norma Guild at (404) 420-2031 additional information.

Southern Operations & Technology School Just Around the Corner
There is still time to register for the first year class in the Southern Operations and Technology School, which will be held on the University of Georgia campus November 4-9.  The School is the premier school in the southeast for operations and technology personnel and has been a mainstay for Georgia bankers since its inception in the 1970s.  Call GBA’s Marybeth Jones at (404) 420-2032 for more information.

Credit Conference
The economy, portfolio management, legislative issues, pricing strategies and how to negotiate them are topics for this year’s Credit Conference slated for December 4-5 at the Renaissance Waverly Hotel in Atlanta.  A block of rooms has been reserved and you may call the hotel directly at (770) 953-4500.  For more information, call GBA’s Norma Guild at (404) 420-2031.

Funding Alternatives Workshop
As loan demand continues to exceed retail deposits, one of several key issues facing community bankers today is funding loan growth in the future.  In response, the GBA is offering a Funding Alternatives Workshop led by Karl Nelson of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta.  The seminar is being held in Macon on October 24th.  Please see the enclosed brochure for more details or call GBA’s Marybeth Jones at (404) 420-2032.

Basic Compliance Program
The GBA’s popular annual Basic Compliance Program will be held October 30–November 1 in Macon at the Crowne Plaza.  Starting on Tuesday, October 30th, we will discuss all deposit and operations regulations.  This coverage is basic, yet thorough, and will end at noon on Wednesday, October 31st.  Then at 1:00 p.m., we will start covering the loan regulations.  This discussion will continue into the next day and end after a full day on Thursday.  Kirchman Corporation, our traditional instructors for this series and the authors of the famous “Orange Book,” are presenting both sessions.  This part of the compliance series is listed as “Basic Deposit and Operations Compliance” and “Basic Loan Compliance,” two separate programs that can be linked for people who have responsibility in both areas or attended by different employees if that is the way your bank is organized.  Please call GBA’s Marybeth Jones at (404) 420-2032 for more details.
Insurance Trust, Inc.
Retirement Services, Inc.
GBA Services, Inc.

 

Bond/D&O Insurance
If you haven’t quoted your Directors and Officers Liability Insurance and Financial Institution Bond lately, maybe now is the time.  The program, underwritten by Progressive Insurance, has been able to recently provide several Georgia banks with not only better coverage and increased benefit amounts, but significantly lower rates.  The Georgia Bankers Association worked closely with the American Bankers Association to institute this program at a time when most insurance carriers were either exiting the market or were quoting extraordinary high rates.  To find out more about this program or to provide your bank with a competitive proposal please call GBA’s Renee Valdez at (404) 420-2036.

Some Of The Services Available Through GBA Services, Inc.

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.

Privacy: Keeping Customer Account Information Secure
The Georgia Bankers Association recognizes that members view their financial institutions as secure, trustworthy establishments.  For this reason the GBA endorses Clarke American Checks, Inc.  Clarke American vows to keep customer data secure by not disclosing, distributing, or selling such confidential information in any manner to any third party, or in any other manner except in performance of its relationship with financial institutions.

Reassuring our members that their customers' personal data is secure is critical to strengthening trust and loyalty.  There are two ways your bank can state its privacy policy to customers.  One way is via Clarke American’s In TouchÒ Messaging Program.  With In Touch Messaging, our member banks can place standard or custom messages directly in their customers' check pad.  Clarke American offers a standard Privacy Policy message that can be customized with your bank’s logo, phone number and Web address.   Another method for communicating privacy information is through InTouch Directä, Clarke American’s line of direct mail letters.  This program offers you the opportunity to communicate your message in a personal, attractive letter format. These letters are available in a variety of eye-catching, ready-to-use designs.

For more information, please contact GBA’s Renee Valdez at (404) 420-2036, or Clarke American’s Steve Garrett at (800) 243-2589.

We Will Miss …
Jerry Kenna, who for years taught many of our bank security programs, was forced to cancel two recent seminars due to injuries he sustained in an accident.  We were saddened to learn that Jerry died unexpectedly from complications and our thoughts and prayers are extended to his family and colleagues.

Atlanta, Porter Keadle Moore, LLP
The firm announces the following additions and promotions:  Aaron A. Haesler, CPA as Tax Manager and Jennifer L. Frantz, CPA and Timothy R. Messman, CPA to Audit Managers.

Decatur, Horizon Bank
J. Franyne Bentley has joined the bank as Senior Vice President, SBA Lending.

Gainesville, Gainesville Bank & Trust
George Saintignan has joined the bank as Vice President in Commercial Lending and Alice Brock as Assistant Vice President and Training Director.

Thomaston, Bank of Upson
Congratulations to President Danny Brinks and the officers, directors and staff as they celebrate their 50th anniversary this week.

Tucker, Mountain National Bank
George Consuegra and Jim Spooner have joined the bank as Vice Presidents.

Vienna, Flag Bank
The bank announces the following additions and promotions:  Michael P. Donahue as Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer.  Cathy B. Speight to Vice President, Accounting Manager; Marc E. Acree to Assistant Vice President, Loan Officer; Paula W. Knight to Assistant Vice President, Sales & Service Manager; and Bunny W. Wright to Assistant Vice President, Staff Accountant.

For Sale
First National Bank of the South, Milledgeville, offers the following for sale:  Modular bank building: 1288 sq. ft. (28x46) with (3) offices, teller line, customer-service area, and break room/ bathroom.  New under-counter equipment, combo night depository/vault, 10 ft. drive-up window, security cameras and monitor.  Unit has been refurbished with new air conditioner, trim, etc.; wooden deck is available.  Walk up 1064i Diebold ATM, a refurbished unit, is also available (to be negotiated separately).  Asking $65,000 with no delivery.  Building is currently located at 1105 Lake Oconee Parkway (GA 44), Eatonton.  Please contact Dave Scogin or Jimmy Ivey at (478) 454-1000.

GBA's e-Bulletin List
Our e-Bulletin subscriber list continues to grow with each edition.  Bankers from any member bank can be added to the email-distributed version of the Bulletin.  A bonus of getting the e-Bulletin is the number of links we include, which puts even more information at your fingerprints. This is a great way to keep your key employees informed of significant industry information, trends and events. To add yourself or others in your bank to the list, send an email containing the name and email address of each individual to GBA’s Lydia Thomas.

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