A regular electronic publication of the Georgia Bankers Association

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50-year Bankers to be Recognized
GBA is proud to recognize Georgia bankers who have devoted 50 years or more of service to the banking industry. These bankers will be honored at our annual convention in May. Please help us properly recognize the bankers who have reached this important milestone by sending a letter to GBA’s June Somers with the following: the bank’s name, the banker’s name and current title, his or her years of service, a brief work history and a photograph. Also include your name as the nominating banker. This information must be received in the GBA office by April 18. If you plan to take your honoree to the convention to be recognized in person, please call June for help with all the details. 

2003 State Legislative Issues
Governor Sonny Perdue
Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor
Georgia House of Representatives
Georgia State Senate
Federal Legislative Issues
U.S. Congress
Legislative Updates
Legal Issues

Scott on Banking
Newly-elected U.S. Rep. David Scott (D-Atlanta) has been named to the House Financial Services Committee. He will also be serving on the Capital Markets Subcommittee and the Housing Subcommittee. “We had the pleasure of working with Rep. Scott when he was a member of the Georgia State Senate and Vice Chairman of the Senate Banking and Financial Institutions Committee. We have always had a good working relationship with Rep. Scott and look forward to continuing that relationship now that he is in the Congress,” said GBA President Joe Brannen.   In the Senate, he also chaired the powerful Rules Committee. Prior to being elected to Congress, Rep. Scott was a successful small businessman with his own marketing and public relations firm. He is also a graduate of the prestigious Wharton School of Finance.  Please join us in congratulating Rep. Scott. His address is 417 Cannon Bldg., Washington, D.C. 20515.

GBA BankPAC Update
Since the last Bulletin, the officers and directors of Planters and Citizens Bank, Camilla, Jud Vann, President, have participated in the Georgia BankPAC 2003 campaign by contributing to the GBA FedPAC and StatePAC.  Thanks to everyone for your support.  For additional information, call Elizabeth Chandler at (404) 420-2027.

Legislative Update for February 7, 2003

Deposit Insurance Reform
Spencer Bachus (R-AL) introduced a deposit insurance reform bill (H.R. 522) that is identical to the bill that passed the House last May.  Rep. Bachus is Chairman of the House Financial Services and Consumer Credit Subcommittee. As approved by the House last year, the bill would:

• increase the deposit insurance coverage limit to $130,000 and index future coverage limits to inflation

• increase coverage for municipal deposits

• double the IRA coverage limit

• merge the BIF and SAIF

• eliminate the 23-cent cliff effect

• address the issue of premium payments by fast growing institutions 

• allow FDIC the flexibility to set a DRR between 1.15 and 1.4 

• provide for a cap on the growth of the insurance fund, with appropriate dividend payments when the fund reaches 1.35

“Deposit Insurance Reform has been an issue GBA has supported for some time, and we are glad a new bill was introduced early in the Congress,” said GBA Chairman Larry Kuglar, President of First National Bank of Polk County, Cedartown.  “A group of bankers from the GBA will be in Washington in early spring and we will be meeting with each member of the Georgia delegation to express our support for the key concepts in the bill.  There is some negative language in the bill, the so-called Waters Amendment from last year, that would have the effect of using the insurance fund for social purposes, and we hope Congress will not make that precedent.” 

Realtors at it Again
The National Association of Realtors is again pushing legislation to block national banks and financial holding companies from offering real estate brokerage and property management services.  They want Congress to ignore the fact that many real estate firms offer mortgages and insurance and that there is no restriction on real estate brokerage authority for credit unions.  Most observers expect the Fed and Treasury will approve their proposal to allow banks to offer real estate brokerage services early this year, setting the stage for the final legislative battle.  We are again working with the ABA this year to get letters sent to the Georgia delegation.  All you need to do is call the toll free hotline, 1-866-GO 4WARD (1-866-464-9273), and follow the voice prompts.  A letter will be sent to both of your Senators and your Representative in the House supporting our position.  Have your officers, employees and directors call, too.  We must ensure our industry’s grassroots voice is heard on Capitol Hill. 

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

Timely Educational Sessions Planned for Banking Expo
GBA will host its Banking Expo 2003: Securing Your Financial Institution on March 25-26 at the Cobb Galleria in Atlanta. The Expo will open on Tuesday, March 25 with keynote speaker and panel moderator, Harold Brewer, CEO of Brintech, Inc. in New Smyrna Beach, Florida.  Harold and a panel of experts from banks and bank service companies will discuss how you can use technology to gain strategic advantage in your marketplace.  On Wednesday, March 26, the Operations/Technology Committee has planned eight informative and timely educational sessions.  These sessions will provide valuable information on hot issues including identity theft, funding alternatives, small business development and data security and confidentiality.  Come hear about the latest industry concerns and successes with regard to the NACHA rules.  Learn the truth about identity theft and what you can do to prevent it from happening to your customers.  Get some hot tips on how to think differently about generating income and achieving profitability in your bank.  Examine the nuts-and-bolts of funding choices available to your institution. If you have any questions about the Expo, call GBA’s Susie McGehee at (404) 420-2010, Marybeth Jones at (404) 420-2032 or Edie Canales at (404) 420-2034.    

Live Online Seminars for Managers
GBA and The Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin-Madison will offer High-Touch Banking:  Enhancing Value & Building Relationships With Your Business Customers on February 25, 26, 27, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  In this very hands-on course, you will gain an overview of how business works, identify key financial needs of a business, examine specific solutions to business challenges, learn new skills at communicating financial concepts and improve your closure and retention rates.  A Modern Course in Asset/Liability Management for Community Banks will be offered March 4, 11, 18, 25, April 1, 8, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and will challenge the way management should accept and evaluate interest rate, credit, option, and liquidity risks.  Leadership At All Levels will be offered March 6, 13, 20, 17, from 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. and will show you how to keep learning throughout your career and to develop crucial leadership competencies.  Enhancing Communication Effectiveness is being offered March 7, 14, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  This program will outline strategies and techniques for effective communication and for dealing with communication problems. Please contact GBA’s Edie Canales at (404) 420-2034 for more information.

Outside Bank Directors Seminar
GBA will host a seminar designed for Outside Bank Directors entitled “Understanding Your Roles and Responsibilities:  What Every Bank Director Must Know” on March 5 in Macon and March 6 in Gainesville.  The seminar is designed to help your Bank Directors understand their roles and responsibilities and to educate them in critical areas of strategic planning, business development, understanding bank financial statements and ratios, maximizing shareholder value and regulatory challenges. If you have questions or need further assistance, call GBA’s Susie McGehee at (404) 420-2010.

Agriculture Conference Scheduled
Mark your calendar for GBA’s Agriculture Conference on April 17-18 at Callaway Gardens.  A block of rooms has been reserved until March 18 so call 1-800-CALLAWAY as soon as possible to make your reservations.  Please call GBA’s Marybeth Jones at (404) 420-2032 for more information. 

Welcome New Associate Members
Congratulations to the following companies for being approved for Associate Membership at the January 15, 2003 Board Meeting:

• Buckhead Financial, Inc., Atlanta, Thomas Hogan, President

• Community Commercial Services, Clinton, SC, Mildred Williams, CEO

• Impressions on Hold, Aventura, FL, Sheri David, Managing Partner

• Macon Bank, Franklin, NC, Everett Stiles, President

• The N.O. Williams Co., Inc., Alpharetta, N.O. Williams, Chairman

• The Roberts-Mansfield Group of Merrill Lynch, Birmingham, AL, Stuart Roberts, Assistant Vice President

Insurance and Investment Distribution Planning
The Georgia Bankers Association is excited to be able to offer financial service opportunities for GBA members through our Strategic Partnership with the Squires Financial Group.  This new turnkey initiative offers a very comprehensive package of services to facilitate sales in Investments, Life & Disability Insurance Products and Long Term Care from an assortment of A+ rated Companies or better.

The program features MassMutual, rated A++ by A.M. Best, as the cornerstone carrier, as well as numerous other A+ or better rated carriers, to provide GBA members with broad-based opportunities.  Local representatives are strategically located throughout the state and product discounts for qualified members from 10 to 35% off retail.

This relationship creates an additional revenue opportunity for our Banks.  Through this program you will be able to offer your customers seminars on timely topics such as Long Term Care, Retirement Planning, etc.  It is an opportunity for your Bank to offer insurance and securities on a full-service basis, with less difficulty.

Squires Financial Group, in coordination with the Holmes/Shaw Agency, has been actively working on this program for the last several years.  It is an excellent way Renee Valdez Bristow, Georgia Bankers Association, (404) 420-2036 or Steve Squires, Squires Financial Group, (770) 551-3440.

Alpharetta, North Atlanta National Bank
Sara Evans has joined the bank as Client Service Representative.

Cartersville, Century Bank of Bartow County
Ken Topham, Jr. has joined the bank as Vice President; David Caswell has been promoted to Senior Vice President and Carson McCrary to Vice President.

Cordele, PlantersFIRST
The bank announces the following additions and promotions:  Erin M. (Tripp) Conner as Vice President, Commercial Lending; Craig Beatty to Assistant Vice President-Special Assets; James R. Yawn to Vice President and Manager; and J. Rose Phillips to Vice President.

Gray, Magnolia State Bank
Robert F. Johnson, Jr. has been named City President.

Macon, Rivoli Bank & Trust
Donna Sanders has been promoted to Banking Officer/Branch Manager and Robert J. Redmond to Commercial Lending Officer.

Rome, Greater Rome Bank
Dr. Ken W. Jones has joined the Board.

Social Circle, Georgia Central Bank
Roy J. (Rip) Malcom, Jr. has been elected President and Chief Executive Officer.

Wrightsville, Bank of Wrightsville
J. D. Vanlandingham has been promoted to Chief Executive Officer; Wayne Herringdine to President; Ken Vickers to Senior Vice President; Vickie Ivey to Vice President; and Susan Powell to Assistant Vice President.

Latest Banks Linked
Welcome to Bank of Dooly, Vienna, Neil Joiner, President, as the latest bank to link to GBA’s website. Call GBA’s Lydia Thomas at (404) 420-2039 when your bank is ready to link.

Join Our Email Distribution List
A bonus of getting the e-Bulletin and e-Legislative Update is the number of links included that puts more information at your fingerprints. This is a great way to keep your key employees informed of significant industry information, trends and events. We do not disclose email addresses and only use them for internal communication purposes. Bankers from any member bank can be added to the email distribution list by sending an email containing the name and email address of each individual to GBA’s Lydia Thomas. 

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