A regular electronic publication of the Georgia Bankers Association

www.gabankers.com

 August 9, 2002

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Volunteer Banks Needed for Electronic Voting Demonstrations
The GBA is proud to partner with Georgia’s Secretary of State, Cathy Cox, in educating  voters on the state’s new electronic voting system.  This new system will be in place statewide by the November 5th general elections and a voter education initiative will be underway until that time so that Georgia citizens will be familiar with our new electronic system when they step up to vote this Fall.  You have probably heard that the Georgia General Assembly approved funding for this new system so that in the future Georgia does not run the risk of facing a similar debacle as Florida after the 2000 Presidential elections with the old punch card ballots.  This new touch screen Diebold technology is similar to that of an ATM and provides a clear indication of what choices a voter makes through a summary screen where a voter can modify their ballot if they have made a mistake.  And, for the first time, visually impaired Georgians may cast votes independently through audio ballots.  On September 30, the Secretary of State’s voter education office, Georgia Counts, is planning to have machines on display in a number of bank lobbies for customers to view and become familiar with.  There will be an on-site coordinator from Georgia Counts to demonstrate the new system and answer your customers’ questions.  What can you do to help?  By completing the online form and indicating your willingness to assist in this project, the GBA will begin coordinating with the Georgia Counts office to have demonstrations available in bank lobbies throughout Georgia on September 30th.  This is an opportunity not to be missed for the banking industry to have a leadership role in this important initiative to educate voters and emphasize the importance of voting in our great democracy!  Please call Elizabeth Way at the GBA at (404) 420-2027 with any questions.

 

Butler to Head Leadership GBA
Emerging Georgia banking leaders met on Amelia Island last week for GBA’s 42nd annual Leadership Conference.  Bill Butler, President and CEO of Futurus Bank, Alpharetta, was installed as President of the Leadership GBA Section for the 2002-03 year.  A special thanks to Dwayne Creamer, Vice President at the Bank of Hazlehurst for his leadership of the Section this past year and for his help in planning a great conference.  A number of supporters of the Section helped sponsor events, so thank them when you see them or have an opportunity to use their service.  One of the key missions of the Section is to sponsor the Personal Economics Program (PEP) which takes the story of banking and economic education to the classroom.  At the Conference, several bankers were recognized for their significant contributions to PEP.  Click here for the list of award winners.  Joining Bill and Dwayne as officers next year are D. Copeland, Vice President of Columbus Bank & Trust and Rob Coile, Senior Vice President and CFO of Futurus Bank, Alpharetta.  Each GBA Group elects members to the Executive Committee and several other bankers serve in statewide At Large positions.  The 2002-03 Executive Committee will be:

Group 1:  Kim Brannen, Private Client Banker, Sea Island Bank, Statesboro
Group 2:  Barry Pollock, Vice President, Cairo Banking Company
Group 3:  Angie Ellis, Senior Vice President, PlantersFIRST, Cordele
Group 4:  Scott Swafford, Vice President & Senior Lender, United Bank, Barnesville
Group 5: Jeff Sands, Vice President of Marketing, The Bankers Bank, Atlanta
Group 6:  R. Daryl Cohen, Vice President, Monroe County Bank, Forsyth
Group 7:  Scott Smith, Vice President, Northwest Georgia Bank, Ringgold
Group 8:  Lisa Bennett, Vice President, SunTrust Bank, Douglas
Group 9:  Wesley A. Dodd, Executive Vice President of Finance, Community Bankshares, Inc., Cornelia
Group 10:  Michael D. Sale, Vice President, Athens First Bank and Trust Company, Colbert
At-Large:  Jay Forrester, Vice President, Georgia Bank & Trust Company, Augusta
At-Large:  Brian Savage, Vice President, United Community Bank, Clayton 
At-Large:  Meredith Malcom, Vice President, The National Bank of Walton County, Monroe
At-Large:  Thomas M. Phelps, Vice President, Citizens Bank, Thomson
Perspective on the Bear
The regular quarterly publication of Atlanta Capital Management Company, LLC–one of two investment advisors for the GBA Pension and Profit Sharing Trust–contains a synopsis of their view of the stock market and economy for the remainder of the year.  The synopsis, entitled “Perspective on the Bear,” could be of benefit to our members in your role as ‘resident expert’ on these issues.

Accounting Reform
 Congress has passed and the President signed the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the most sweeping accounting reform legislation since the 1930's.  The bill contains numerous provisions affecting every public company including banks and bank holding companies.  Of special interest to banks is the exemption given banks for insider loans to officers and directors as banks are already subject to Regulation O which adequately deals with the subject.  Bank Holding Companies are not exempt, although it is rare that loans would be made from a BHC.  GBA's General Counsel, Powell Goldstein Frazer and Murphy has prepared a brief synopsis of the legislation.  Another summary of the major provisions and their effective date is also available.

2002 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

Social Security Deposits
The Ninth Circuit Court reversed their own earlier decision in Lopez v. Washington Mutual Bank which would have prohibited banks from using electronically deposited Social Security benefits to cover overdrafts.  Had the decision held, it could have meant that banks would have had to deny senior citizens overdraft protection.  The Ninth Circuit's reversal is an important victory for the banking industry and Social Security recipients, as it now holds that depositors consented to using these benefits to cover overdrafts and were not prohibited under the Social Security Act from doing so. 

Bankruptcy Reform
So close, yet so far.  The conferees agreed to their report, but the Senate has delayed until after the August recess taking up the needs-based bankruptcy reform bill.  Click here for the ABA-prepared summary of the report.

 

GBA BankPAC Update
Since the last Bulletin, the following banks, their officers and directors have participated by contributing to the GBA StatePAC:

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

  • Luke Flatt, President, Regions Bank, South Georgia, Albany

  • Randy Jones, President & CEO, Sumter Bank and Trust Company, Americus

  • Elaine Demarest, President, Demarest Strategy Group, Macon

  • Wes Smith, President & CEO, Northwest Georgia Bank, Ringgold

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

Calendar of Events
Schools
Conferences
Seminars
Events
American Institute of Banking
Leadership GBA
Personal Economics Program (PEP)
Internet Training

Bank Counsel CLE Credits Approved
One of the benefits of attending GBA’s Bank Counsel Conference on October 6-8 at The Cloister on Sea Island will be the 7.3 CLE hours approved for the program agenda by the Commission on Continuing Lawyer Competency. The conference, held in conjunction with GBA’s President/CEO Conference, will give you an opportunity to meet bank CEOs and learn more about the latest hot topics in the legal arena.  GBA’s Bank Counsel Section is one of the most professional and prestigious sections for bank attorneys.  There are many benefits to being a member, one of which is receiving the Status of Important Banking Cases, which is included with this mailing.  Call The Cloister directly at (800) 732-4752 to make your hotel reservations. The deadline for GBA’s block of rooms is August 23.  Call GBA’s Norma Guild at (404) 420-2031 for more information about the conference or details on becoming a Bank Counsel Section member.

President/CEO Conference Announced
GBA’s annual President/CEO Conference is slated for October 6-8 at The Cloister on Sea Island.  Sponsored by the Community Bankers Committee and the GBA Board of Directors, this conference will attract over 70 bank leaders from across Georgia.  Highlights of the conference include well-known motivational humorist Lou Heckler who will speak on Growing Great: Secrets of Peak Performers; David Kemp, nationally recognized credit consultant will give his expertise on Loan Workouts; Financial Educator Dr. Willie Staats will outline Banking in the New Economic Environment and Brian Buckley, supervisory special agent for the FBI will discuss Banking in a Post 9/11 Environment.  The deadline for room reservations at The Cloister is August 23. To make a reservation, you may call The Cloister directly at (800) 732-4752.  For additional information or help with hotel reservations, please contact Norma Guild at (404) 420-2031.

Georgia Fair Lending Act Seminars
Filling Fast
Registrations are mounting for GBA’s two seminars designed to help ensure your bank complies with the new Georgia Fair Lending Act (GAFLA) effective October 1.  If your bank makes loans taking a borrower’s principal resident as collateral, you must comply with the Act.  The Act was one of Governor Roy Barnes priority issues and was intended to rid Georgia of predatory lenders.  As with any Act of this magnitude, there are some unintended consequences and initial compliance efforts will be disruptive to your lending operation.  In order to assist our members, GBA is sponsoring the two seminars August 20 and 21 in Gainesville and Macon and registration material has already been mailed.  At the seminars, the GAFLA Compliance Toolkit will be available as part of your seminar registration or as a stand-alone purchase.  The Toolkit was written by nationally recognized attorneys with Womble Carlyle Sandridge and Rice in cooperation with an advisory committee of GBA members.  Every bank in Georgia will want to have a copy of the Toolkit as it will be the definitive source for compliance advice and risk avoidance strategies for any lender making mortgage loans in Georgia.  Call GBA’s Marybeth Jones at (404) 420-2032 with questions.

AIB Semester starts September 9th
The new AIB semester is just around the corner and we are offering almost 90 classes in 44 locations throughout the state.   Please check the The GBA Advantage to see if classes are being offered in your community.  If a class you want to take is not offered locally, then check out the online schedule of classes offering 31 classes, many of the same ones you would take in the classroom and a few new ones as well. The skill-specific Performance Training Series is being offered in the classroom in several locations and can also be taken online through the ABA e-Learning program.   If you have any questions about The GBA Advantage, please call GBA’s Edie Canales at (404) 420-2034.  

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

Welcome New Participant
The Board of Directors of the GBA Insurance Trust, Inc. welcomes to the Trust Cornerstone Commercial Mortgages, LLC, Milledgeville, Cliff Roberts, CEO.  This firm joins more than 275 community banks and associate members in this unmatched member benefit.  Please call GBA’s Susan Kelley at (404) 420-2017 for more information.

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.

 
      

 

Thumbprint Signature Program
Check fraud costs banks and their customers millions of dollars each year.  In a statewide effort to combat crime and protect our members, Georgia Bankers Association is in it’s 4th year of endorsing the Thumbprint Signature Program.

This program provides a simple effective inexpensive method for preventing and deterring check fraud.   Help us send a clear message to criminals that check fraud will no longer be tolerated!!

How Does It Work?  When non-account holders ask to cash a check, in addition to requesting the standard forms of identification, participating banks also ask them to place an impression of their thumbprint on the face of the check.  A small “inkless” touch pad facilitates the process.  Although the touch pad looks and operates just like a traditional inkpad, it leaves no stain or residue on users or clothing.  The procedure is quick, simple and clean.  Banks do not maintain a data bank of Thumbprint Signatures.  These signatures are used by law enforcement officials only in cases where fraud is suspected.

The program works as a natural deterrent.  Criminals seeking to commit check fraud are unlikely to put their thumbprints on bogus checks.  Most likely they will try their schemes elsewhere, and those who are foolish enough to cooperate leave a positive I.D. that can be turned over to law enforcement.

Success Stories  Since the inception of the program, a test group of participating banks has experienced an average 60% reduction in fraudulent checks passed by non-customers.  Thumbprint Signature has received widespread support from local law enforcement agencies.  When a bank reports an incidence of check fraud, often the first question asked is “Do you have a fingerprint?” And although the program is most effectively used as a deterrent, it has actually been used to help apprehend and identify criminals.

How Do We Get Started?  There is no start-up fee other than the cost of the actual Thumbprint pads and products themselves.  You’ll want to be sure to order decals to post at all entrances to let people know you are participating in the program and warn potential criminals that their crimes will not go undetected.  Teller window displays and statement stuffers are also available.  Just complete the order form or call GBA’s Renee Valdez at (404) 420-2036.

Welcome to the GBA Board
Join us in welcoming Bill Butler, President and CEO of Futurus Bank, N.A. in Alpharetta, as Leadership GBA Representative on the GBA Board of Directors.

Alpharetta, Bank of North Georgia
Beverly Skelton has joined the bank as Vice President and Community Lender and Greg Sinclair as Assistant Vice President and Bank Office Manager.

Alpharetta, Futurus Bank
Robert Coile has joined the bank as Chief Financial Officer.

Augusta, First Bank
Phyllis Salazar has been elected Assistant Vice President and Consumer Banking Officer Shirley McKinney as Operations Officer.

Dublin, Morris State Bank
The bank announces the retirement of Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Don Crafton after 48 years of service effective September 9.  Don is a former GBA Chairman and one of the original organizers of the GBA Insurance Trust. 

Douglas, Colony Bank Southeast
Michael Burns has joined the bank as Senior Vice President and Senior Lending Officer.

Gainesville, Gainesville Bank & Trust
Mike Whitmire has joined the bank as President and Chief Operating Officer.

Jackson, McIntosh State Bank
Denise Turner has been promoted to Vice President.

Jonesboro, Community Capital Bank
Congratulations to Brad Hendry, President & CEO, the officers, directors, shareholders and staff on the bank’s recent opening.  The bank also announces that Kenneth Farley will serve as Chief Financial Officer and that Kevin Brumbeloe has joined the bank as Senior Loan Officer.

Marietta, Charter Bank
James M. Rockwell has been elected Vice President.

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.

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