A regular electronic publication of the Georgia Bankers Association

www.gabankers.com

 September 6, 2002

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

GAFLA Toolkit
We have told you about the Georgia Fair Lending Act Compliance Toolkit in previous Bulletins and almost 300 copies have been sold. The Toolkit was produced in cooperation with the law firm of Womble, Carlyle, Sanders and Rice and is considered the definitive source for compliance-related information on the new anti-predatory lending law which takes effect October 1. The Toolkit is a ‘must-have’ for every bank in Georgia making loans which use a person’s principal residence as collateral. The Toolkit comes with a CD that the bank can use internally to provide access to the information for everyone involved with lending or compliance. The Toolkit also includes forms and checklists the bank can use as is or modify to suit your own needs. The forms and checklists are especially valuable in determining which of your loans is covered by the new Act as well as assisting with your compliance efforts if you are making covered loans. Please call GBA’s Joe Brannen at (404) 420-2026 with questions about the Toolkit.

 

 

Group Meetings Off to Strong Start
Our thanks to the bankers in north Georgia for getting the annual series of Group Meetings off to a great start this week.  Over 300 bankers attended the meetings and we especially want to thank our three Group Chairs for their help:  Group 9: Charlie Miller, Community Bank and Trust, Cornelia; Group 5: Jimmy Walker, North Atlanta National Bank, Alpharetta, and Group 7: Charles Allgood, Alliance National Bank, Dalton.  The Group Meetings resume the week of September 16 as follows:

Sept. 16: Group 4, Pilgreen’s, Lake Dow, McDonough
Sept. 17: Group 2, Sunset Country Club, Moultrie
Sept. 18: Group 8, Valdosta Country Club
Sept. 19: Group 3, Americus Country Club

Registration material has been mailed to every bank.  For golfers, an organized event is planned for Group 2 at Sunset Country Club.  Call GBA’s Susie McGehee at (404) 420-2010 with questions.

Email Addresses
It has been almost a year since the events of September 11 when many of us realized the importance of communication in all forms. GBA was able to stay in touch with our members during the emergency through traditional means of phone and fax, but many of our members appreciated the immediacy of the emails we sent to those on our email distribution list. While over 500 bankers in Georgia take advantage of that service, more than half our members do not. The GBA does not give out email addresses to anyone and we use the distribution list for only essential communications. If you or your bank is not on this distribution list, please help us serve you better by signing up. We can include as many people from your bank as you want on our email distribution list.

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

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

  • Dan Blanton, President, Georgia Bank & Trust Company of Augusta

  • Ed Milligan, President, Main Street Bank, Kennesaw

  • Rodney Grizzle, President, United Bank & Trust Company, Rockmart

  • Milton Gray, President, The Citizens Bank of Swainsboro

  • Pait Willis, President, South Georgia Banking Company, Tifton

  • William Broyles, President, Bank of Dade, Trenton

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

  • Dan Blanton, President, Georgia Bank & Trust Company of Augusta

  • Joe Edwards, President, United Bank Corporation, Bamesville

  • Eddy Ariail, President, Habersham Bank, Clarkesville

  • David Stovall, President, Habersham Bancorp, Cornelia

  • John Jessup, President, Bank of Eastman

  • Jim Williams, President, Citizens Bank & Trust Company, Eastman

  • Doug Wren, President, United Bank, Griffin

  • Ed Milligan, President, Main Street Bank, Kennesaw

  • Ed Hortman, President, Citizens Security Bank, Tifton

  • Brad Burnette, Chairman, The Park Avenue Bank, Valdosta

  • Jim Edwards, President, United Bank, Zebulon

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

 

Overdraft Protection Programs
Many of our members have taken steps to assist their customers in managing their money by offering new ways to provide overdraft protection coverage.  The programs are usually well received by customers who find them to be a convenient method of handling short-term cash emergencies.  There are several versions of these programs being offered by vendors and some of our members have developed their own programs.  The Department of Banking and Finance has raised the issue of banks needing to ensure that the programs are properly structured to avoid violating Georgia’s interest and usury statutes. A memorandum was sent to the Department’s examiner and professional staff recently outlining several of the types of programs being offered and suggested there may be some unintentional violations.  We caution our members to carefully review their programs with their compliance officer and bank counsel.  Since these programs are not loans and therefore usually have no contract, the Department is emphasizing the importance that the account disclosures and marketing materials be reviewed to determine the adequacy of compliance with federal statutes such as TILA, TISA, Electronic Fund Transfer Act, ECOA, Federal Reserve Regulation O and other regulations. Programs which include other interest and fee features may be more likely to run into problems with Georgia interest and usury limitations especially if they include administrative fees or daily fee features.  The Department may seek additional guidance from the Attorney General.

Appropriations Bills the Priority
Congress needs to pass 13 separate appropriations bills for the government’s 2003 fiscal year.  So far the House has passed five and the Senate has passed three.  GBA is closely following the Treasury/Postal Service appropriations bill in the Senate to try and keep the Realtors’ negative amendment from the Senate version.  Elections are slated for November 5 and few are expecting Congress to avoid a lame duck session afterwards.

Bankruptcy Reform on Agenda
The long-delayed bill to create a needs-based bankruptcy system is scheduled for House action next week.  The conferees finally resolved their differences on the almost-unrelated issue of allowing abortion clinic bombers to have access to the bankruptcy courts.  Hopefully the House will favorably consider the bill and clear it for final Senate action.

 

Let’s Tee it up!!

Leadership GBA
Georgia BankPAC Classic
October 16
Southern Hills Golf Club
Hawkinsville

Join fellow bankers and help raise money for BankPAC!  
$100 per person 
(greens fees, cart, range balls, lunch & awards reception)

Click here for details.

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

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. GBA is offering Bob Gibson’s How To Negotiate High-Profit Sales. This set contains 3 videos, 3 CD-ROMs and a Trainers Guide. Also available are Participant Kits, which contain a workbook, audiotape, quick reference card and a packet of planners. This program will teach you tactics and strategies, positioning, continuum of business, a formula for success and planning. With these materials you can train a large group or a single salesperson. For more details, please contact GBA’s Edie Canales at (404) 420-2034.

Southern Operations and 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 3 - 8. The School is the premier school in the southeast for operations and technology personnel. Call GBA’s Marybeth Jones at (404) 420-2032 for more information.

Interactive Internet Seminars
GBA and the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are pleased to offer a full slate of Internet seminars this fall.  Seminars for September and October are:

  • Reinventing the Pricing Process
  • Best Practices in Credit Risk Management in Community Banks
  • Identifying Potential Problem Loans
  • Current Issues in Employment Law
  • Better Business Banking
  • A Modern Course in Asset Liability Management for Community Bankers

These seminars are presented in three to six 90-minute sessions spread over a period of several weeks and allow the greatest scheduling flexibility for busy managers. Seminars are also scheduled for November and December. Call GBA’s Edie Canales at (404) 420-2034 for additional information.

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

For Sale
Modular bank building:  1288 sq. ft. (28x46) building with three 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 if wanted to be included.  Walk up 1064i Diebold ATM is a refurbished unit and is also available (to be negotiated separately).  All bids considered, asking $65,000 with no delivery.  Please contact Dave Scogin, Jimmy Ivey or Ed Sowell at First National Bank of the South in Milledgeville at (478) 454-1000. 

Currently operational banking facility: On 1.45 acres located at Cobb Parkway and North Marietta Parkway.  Turnkey; excellent condition.  Brick veneer; 6,600 square feet.  Excellent location; high visibility and great access/egress.  Four drive-thru windows; night deposit; ATM location/service.  Asking $1.75 million; possible financing.  Please call Linda Carver at (770) 426-0518.

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.

      

Nike Golf Driver Giveaway Promo
With Lightyear/NationsLink, GBA’s Local and Long Distance Telephone Program
Lightyear/NationsLink, the endorsed service provider of Local Telephone and Long Distance Service to GBA members, is excited to announce the “Nike Driver Giveaway”. (Driver valued at $400).  Lightyear has been an endorsed GBA vendor since 1998 and currently serves over 100 GBA member banks.

The Nike Driver Giveaway Promotion is an excellent opportunity for your Bank to take advantage of a FREE-No Obligation savings analysis for Local Telephone and Long Distance Service.  The annualized savings for GBA members has been an average of $3,000 to $10,000.  Larger banks can possibly save $20,000 to $100,000 annually.  Please note that Local Telephone Service is only available in BellSouth markets at this time, however long distance service is available to all members.

Lightyear’s service is very easy to understand.  If your bank is located in a BellSouth market, you can receive a 20% discount on all business line charges and 10% discount on any features*. You will receive a low long-distance rate of 4.9¢ per minute for all state-to-state and in-state calls on Lightyear local lines, and a 90-day guarantee. There are no changes to telephone numbers or features and the switchover is transparent.  Enjoy one convenient and easy to understand invoice for both Local Telephone and Long Distance Service.  One point of contact for all you telecommunications needs.

In order to qualify for the “Nike Driver Giveaway,” please complete the form and fax it to (229) 245-0199.  Contact Lightyear’s Michael Woodruff at (800) 546-5875, or GBA’s Renee Valdez at (404) 420-2036 for questions. Good Luck! 

*Some restrictions apply with Centrex and PRI lines.

Latest Bank to Link
Welcome to Southern Heritage Bank, Oakwood, Tren Watson, President, as the latest bank to link to GBA’s website. Call Lydia Thomas at (404) 420-2039 when your bank is ready to link.

Albany, SunTrust Bank
D. Michael Marz has been named President and CEO.

Atlanta, SouthTrust Bank
Bill Linginfelter has been named Senior Executive Vice President responsible for the company’s Enterprise Markets in Atlanta, Ft. Lauderdale, Tampa and Jacksonville.

Augusta, Georgia Bank & Trust Company
The bank announces the following promotions: Susan A. Wright to Vice President, Mortgage Lending; and Winston D. Hancock and Frankie M. Wright to Assistant Vice President. The bank also announces that Ruth V. Stephens has been elected Operations Support Officer and Paula B. Mobley Construction Loan Officer.

Dawsonville, United Community Bank
Jimmy Bruce has been promoted to Senior Vice President.

Moultrie, ABC Bancorp
Ed Hortman has been named Executive Vice President.

Richmond Hill, Bryan Bank & Trust
A. J. Patterson has joined the bank as Assistant Vice President.

Tifton, Citizens Security Bank
Lawson Bassett, III has been named 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.

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