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Banking Loses a Leader
We are saddened to report the death of longtime banker Jack Keith of West Point on March 13.  Jack was GBA Chairman in 1965-66 and was an organizing leader of the GBA Insurance Trust during his term of service.  Our sympathies to Jack’s wife, May, and his family and colleagues.

Associate Member Elections
Enclosed with this week's Bulletin is a letter and related materials from Elaine Demarest who represents the Associate Members on the GBA Board of Directors.  Her letter explains the upcoming nominating and election process for the new associate member representative to the Board. As a reminder of our procedures, Associate Members may submit their interest in serving to the Associate Member Nominating Committee.  This Committee will recommend a candidate to the Associate Members who will vote on the candidate by mail ballot.  The two-year term of the Associate Member elected will begin following the annual meeting in Philadelphia and continue through the annual meeting in 2004.  “Elaine has done an outstanding job of representing the Associate Members on the Board and all of her colleagues owe her a debt of gratitude,” said GBA President Joe Brannen.

FDIC Reform out of Subcommittee
Last week, the House Financial Services, Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit Subcommittee marked up and favorably reported H.R. 3717, the Deposit Insurance Reform Act.  Among other things, the bill would:  

• Merge the Bank Insurance Fund and the Savings Association Insurance Fund

• Increase coverage limits for individual accounts to $130,000 and index future coverage limits to inflation

• Double coverage limits for certain types of IRAs and 401(k)s

• Increase coverage limits for municipal deposits.

GBA Chairman, Jimmy Burnsed, Chairman and CEO of Bryan Bank & Trust in Richmond Hill, said, “We are glad FDIC reform is finally moving and this initial bill has great promise.  We are beginning to hear from our members on issues which still need to be addressed such as ensuring any credits and dividends are based on each individual bank’s history of contributions.  We are also concerned about a negative amendment that was added to the bill that would have the effect of using the FDIC fund to support non-insurance fund activities such as so-called lifeline accounts, and we need to make sure the FDIC sticks to its original mission.  These issues are extremely important and I encourage our members to let us know their thoughts.”  The Subcommittee’s approval of the bill came in spite of the Bush Administration’s and Fed Chairman Greenspan’s reported opposition to increasing the coverage level to $130,000. FDIC Chairman Don Powell reportedly supports indexing the coverage level instead of an overall increase. However, Rep. Bachus, the bill’s sponsor, said he will push for the $130,000 coverage.

Reps. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Doug Bereuter (R-NE) both announced they would have two positive amendments at full committee to:  (1) tie any rebates to an institution’s record of past contributions to the fund; and (2) clarify that rebates above a fund level of 1.35 percent would be calculated at 50 percent of the fund’s excess above the designated reserve ratio.  Markup in full committee is expected after the Easter recess. Jimmy Burnsed will be leading a delegation of Georgia bankers to Washington next week to call on key members of the House and Senate to discuss this issue as well as the real estate issue we have discussed in previous Bulletins.  Call GBA’s Elizabeth Way at (404) 420-2027 with questions.

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

Albany ID Theft Town Hall Meeting
The GBA is working with Attorney General Thurbert Baker to host an ID Theft Town Hall meeting. The meeting is set for April 11 at 1:00 at the Albany Commission Chamber. Call GBA’s Norma Guild at (404) 420-2031 with questions.

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

eLearning at Bargain Basement Prices
ABA has introduced a new price structure for all ABA eLearning courses. The new prices are volume-based and can start as low as $2.72 per course, per student with a minimum of 10 students. This low, low price allows the student to take the entire catalog of over 50 courses! The Internet courses are short (usually 6 to 8 hours), self-paced and provide a tutor to answer any questions and grade the end-of-course test. Courses include Retail Banking Fundamentals, Retail Banking Sales Skills, Small Business Banking Fundamentals, Small Business Banking Sales Skills, Trusts and Investments, Regulatory Compliance, Management and Leadership, Fundamental Business Skills, Basic Banking Knowledge and Internet and E-Business Fundamentals for Bankers. Courses can be taken from the convenience of home or office twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Click here for more details or call GBA’s Edie Canales at (404) 420-2034.

Negotiating High Profit Sales
“Sales ability determines gross revenues but a person’s ability to negotiate determines profit.” This principle is the foundation of sales success and the fundamental lesson of How to Negotiate High-Profit Sales. Through many years of research and hands-on work, Bob Gibson has created a program that works. The learning system contains 3 videos, 3 CD-ROMs and a Trainers Guide. Each participant kit includes a “drive time” audiotape, an interactive workbook, a quick reference guide, and a sales planner. The program is designed for use in virtually any sales-training environment – from a large group, to a group of two or three, or to an individual interested in self-paced training. Topics covered include tactics and strategies, positioning, the continuum of business, the sales formula, and effective planning. For more information, contact GBA’s Edie Canales at (404) 420-2034.

National Teach Children to Save Day
On Thursday, April 18, bankers nationwide will be speaking to local elementary, middle and high school students about the importance of saving money on National Teach Children to Save Day. Please join your colleagues in reaching even more students and make this one of the most successful educational events in ABA and GBA history. The ABA Education Foundation has created a resource kit that contains everything you need for your classroom presentation. To order your resource kit, simply complete the order form or call the ABA at 1-800-BANKERS, (catalog #889390).  With questions, call GBA’s Susie McGehee at (404) 420-2010.

Bank Security Conference Offers Special CD for Attendees
The program topics for the Bank Security Conference on May 16-17 in Macon were specifically chosen by GBA-member security officers who were asked to select issues most relevant to their activities. As a result, the program represents current “hot topics” and speakers selected are a team of high profile experts in these areas. A unique feature of this year’s conference is the “Train the Trainer” approach. Each attendee will receive an individual PowerPoint presentation on CD for each topic, which will enable them to perform their own electronic training program. A highlight of the conference will be an evening visit to the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth, where attendees will dine with law enforcement and public safety personnel from around the state and participate in a team building exercise on “Judgmental Shooting” conducted by GPSTC firearm trainers. Thanks to Steve Cross, Committee Chair and Georgia Security Manager for SunTrust Banks, Inc., and the Security Committee for their expertise in planning this event. You may call the Crowne Plaza for room reservations at (478) 746-1461 or GBA’s Norma Guild for more details.

HR Conference to Be Held in Savannah
GBA’s Human Resources Conference is one of the most anticipated educational opportunities for those who manage the HR function in their banks. This year’s conference will be held May 9-10 at the Marriott Riverfront Hotel in beautiful, historic Savannah, Georgia. Topics include an update of on-going legal issues challenging HR professionals, how to make your bank the employer of choice, how to develop a professional presence and a keynote address by Ellen Raulerson of Security Bank & Trust in Albany entitled “Two Many Indians and Not Enough Chiefs.” Raulerson will present ideas for helping employees focus on good decision-making, letting go of pettiness and identifying potential “chiefs.”  All conference attendees will have the opportunity to pre-register for GBA’s HR University to be held October 20-23. This program is always a sellout. 

Hiring the Right Person for the 
Right Job is Not an Easy Task
The Georgia Bankers Association has teamed up with ComputerPsychologist.com to provide financial industry specific, online psychological assessments to aid in your successful hiring decisions. This internet-based product measures core personality traits and provides you with valuable, immediate feedback about the candidate you are considering. We are excited to be able to provide discounted psychological assessments to be used in the hiring process and targeted to the banking industry. For more information, contact GBA’s Renee Valdez at (404) 420-2036 or Jon Naphin (404) 455-4510.

For Sale
The Citizens Bank of Forsyth County, Cumming, offers the following for sale: Modular bank building: 1, 152 square foot (24’x48’), fully furnished unit with two offices, teller line, drive-in window, break room and bathroom. Unit has been refurbished with new air conditioner, roofing, etc. For more information, contact Tim Perry at (678) 513-9225.

Latest Banks to Link
Welcome to Gwinnett Community Bank, Duluth, Tom Martin, President, and Citizens Bank and Trust Company, Eastman, Jim Williams, President, as the latest banks to link to GBA’s website. Call GBA’s Lydia Thomas at (404) 420-2039 when your bank is ready to link.

Augusta, First Bank of Georgia
James M. Thomas has been elected Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the bank and holding company and Michelle Piper to Assistant Vice President.

Cleveland, United Community Bank - White County
Denise Davis has been promoted to Senior Vice President.

Columbus, Synovus Financial Corp.
Congratulations to CEO Jim Blanchard, directors and staff for recently being named No. 5 on Fortune magazine’s list of “The 100 Best Companies To Work For.”

Statesboro, Farmers & Merchants Bank
C. Ricky Nessmith has been named President and Chief Executive officer.

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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