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FinCrime.com Continues Momentum
Bankers across Georgia are continuing to enroll in GBA’s newest venture to help our members reduce fraudulent activity.  GBA’s Director of Member Services, Renee Valdez, reports that more than 100 banks have received clearance to participate in the program.  FinCrime.com lets our members report fraudulent activity and gives law enforcement a new tool to investigate and prosecute criminals.

Plan for 2004 Annual Convention
We have completed final plans for GBA’s 2004 Annual Convention on May 23-26 at the Breakers Hotel and Resort in Palm Beach, Florida.  Many members like to prepay for this meeting from current year budgets, so we will send some detailed information to CEOs soon.

Best Wishes, June Somers
GBA’s Senior Vice President for Professional Development, June Somers, retired from the association October 31, 2003.  After more than 33 years in the banking industry, June plans to enjoy her retirement with her husband, John, at their new home on Hilton Head Island.  “We have been fortunate to have someone like June Somers on the GBA staff for over 13 years,” said GBA President Joe Brannen.  “The GBA professional development program is recognized across the country for its quality, content and diversity.  Combined with her time at AIB, she and I had the privilege of working together for 19 years – a time of unprecedented change in the banking industry.  June always made sure our program kept up with that change in both the growth and quality of our program,” Joe continued.  “June was always quick to point out the importance of the hundreds of bankers who volunteered with GBA and how critical their input has been to the professional development program,” he concluded.  June also recruited a professional and highly motivated staff to work with her and they join with us in wishing June the best.

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

Regulators Issue Appraisal Guidance
The federal banking regulars have issued a joint statement addressing appraisal issues that have arisen from examinations of their regulated institutions.  The statement identifies shortcomings in the management of the appraisal process and emphasizes procedures that banks and credit unions should follow to ensure independence in the selection and oversight of the process.  The statement does not impose new requirements, but is designed to remind regulated institutions of the current standards for independence found in the appraisal and real estate lending regulations published in 1994.  The statement also recognizes the procedural difficulties some smaller banks in more rural areas may have and mentioned some internal controls that would be effective.

BankPAC Update

FDIC and Pay Day Lending
The U.S. Senate Banking Committee postponed a meeting scheduled this week to hear about the health of the banking industry.  One of the issues slated to be discussed with Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Chairman Don Powell was the agency’s policy that allows state-chartered banks to facilitate payday lenders.  The meeting was postponed because of other Senate business, but the issue remains a hot button.  The FDIC has viewed payday lending as a legal business, but with higher than normal risks and has promulgated specific regulations for banks involved in the practice.  The FDIC has reported that banks engaged in the facilitation will have higher capital requirements and be under strict regulatory scrutiny.  The Comptroller of the Currency has taken a different approach and has required nationally chartered banks to exit the business.  At a hearing this summer in Atlanta on payday lending, testimony was given to the House Banks and Banking Committee about some out-of-state, state-chartered banks that were exporting their rates and fees to other states, including Georgia.  Banking Commissioner David Sorrell reported no Georgia banks were engaged in the practice.  The committee plans another hearing on December 3 in Atlanta to consider legislation for the 2004 session to address the issue.  For more information, call GBA’s Elizabeth Chandler at (404) 420-2027.

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

Check 21 Bill Signed, Now What?
Now that the Check Clearing Act for the 21^st Century (Check 21) has been signed by President Bush, your bank needs to start preparing for implementation – only one year away.  To assist our members, GBA is sponsoring a telephone seminar December 17 designed to guide you as you begin to prepare for full implementation of Check 21. By eliminating the requirement of paper presentment, Check 21 offers opportunities to improve operational efficiency, increase investable funds, and reduce costs associated with check processing.   Trent Fleming, Director of Solution Strategy for Kirchman Corporation, is the seminar presenter. 

Among the topics to be covered: 

• Basics of Check 21

• Forward Presentment

• Return Item Opportunities

• Production of Substitute Checks

• National Check Exchange Initiatives

• Consumer Protection Issues

• Dealing with Check Return Accounts

• Infrastructure Requirements

• Branch Capture

Credit Conference Set for December 3-4
GBA’s Credit Conference, slated for December 3-4 at the Renaissance Waverly Hotel in Atlanta, will highlight major topics of interest to bank lenders.  Economist Dr. Roger Tutterow of Kennesaw State University will deliver the keynote address with remarks on the state of the economy.  Other topics include appraisal training, residential construction underwriting, peer discussions, and an interview with regulators on compliance, safety and soundness.  Alex Sheshunoff, CEO of Sheshunoff Management Services, L.P., will conclude the conference with a state of the banking industry address.  Thanks to GBA’s 2003-2004 Credit Committee Chair Bill Stump, Executive Vice President at Community Bankshares, Inc., Cornelia, for his leadership and to the committee for their expertise in planning an informative and dynamic agenda.  For more conference details and to register, please contact GBA’s Marybeth Jones at (404) 420-2032.

AIB Introduces New Course
AIB online has developed another new Internet course Problem Loan Workouts. This course will explore the four major components of problem loan management. The participant will explore how problem loans can be avoided and how early detection may be possible.  The negotiation process with the borrower and best plan of action will also be covered.  The participant will acquire skills in working through alternative resolutions and proceeding with options for workout or liquidation.  This 6-week Internet course begins March 1, 2004 and is priced at $270.  For additional information or questions, please contact GBA’s Edie Canales. One free registration will be given to the first GBA member to call Edie at (404) 420-2034.

For Sale
Modular Bank Building. Please contact Lauri Young at Neighbors Bank at (770) 343-6255 for more information.

Available January 2004: Temporary Drive-Thru approximately 10' x 14'. $5,000 or best offer. Please direct questions to Dorsey Thompson, Vice President of Glennville Bank, at (912) 654-3471.

Attention Bank Counsel Section Members
Bank Counsel Section members were sent a paper copy of this month’s edition of the Status of Important Banking Cases produced by the American Bankers Association’s Office of the General Counsel.  This monthly publication gives members of the section information about important litigation around the country that could impact your bank clients.  This publication is another benefit of your bank’s counsel being a member of the Bank Counsel Section.  For more information, please call GBA’s Renee Valdez at (404) 420-2036.

Holidays and Check Fraud Season are Right Around The Corner!
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 its 6^th 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 on the reverse side and fax to (404) 522-9848 or call GBA’s Kenyetta Parks at (404) 420-2035 or Renee Valdez at (404) 420-2036.

Alpharetta, Futurus Bank
The bank announces the following additions:  Randy Conner and Peter Faser as Senior Vice President; Sherry Hodges as Assistant Vice President/ Construction Loan Officer; Debra Elias and Teresa Sandoval as Loan Administrator; Avi Sharifi as Loan Funding Administrator; and Niki Simmons as Client Representative.

Atlanta, Porter Keadle Moore, LLP
Deborah Sessions has been appointed to the PCPS Executive Committee of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Clarkesville, Habersham Bank
Our condolences to the family and colleagues of former Board Chairman Thomas Arrendale, Jr., who passed away recently.

Cordele, PlantersFIRST
William D. Bailey has been promoted to President of the Fitzgerald office and appointed to the Board of Directors. Carol Anne Moore has been appointed Vice President; Angie Turner, Trust Administrator; Bobbie Moore, Assistant Corporate Secretary; and Trey Luckie and Shannon Vickers to the Advisory Board.

Glennville, South Georgia Bank
Pat Tatum has been promoted to Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Jonathan Dutton to Assistant Vice President.

Marietta, Holmes/Shaw Agency
Our sympathies to the family and colleagues of Earl Barton, who passed away recently.  Earl was the longtime office manager for the agency prior to his retirement.

Join Our Email Distribution List
A bonus of getting the e-Bulletin and e-Legislative Update is the number of links that are included. 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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