A regular electronic publication of the Georgia Bankers Association

www.gabankers.com

 September 5, 2003

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ID Theft Public Awareness Campaign
The Georgia Bankers Association is announcing a major new initiative during the Group Meetings on how your bank can join with other GBA members in a statewide effort to reduce identity theft.  The campaign is designed to give bankers the tools necessary to help your customers avoid becoming an ID Theft victim and resources to use if they become a victim.  Identity Theft is the fastest growing consumer crime in the nation.  The Federal Trade Commission reported this week that 9.9 million people were ID Theft victims last year costing these individuals $5 billion while losses to businesses and financial institutions totaled $48 billion.  The GBA has taken the lead on ID Theft reduction for the banking industry.  The association was a founding member of the STOP I.T.! network in coordination with Georgia Attorney General Thurbert Baker.  GBA President Joe Brannen appeared with General Baker in three Town Hall meetings across Georgia last year and the response to the effort was extremely positive.  One of the GBA Board of Directors’ goals this year as part of the ongoing update of our strategic plan is to find ways for banks to set themselves apart from others in the financial services marketplace.  The ID Theft Public Awareness Campaign is the first piece of this year-long project.  The theme for the campaign is:  Let Us Help…We’re All in This Together.  GBA’s Leadership Division will be coordinating the campaign under the direction of the Personal Economics Committee chair, Kim Brannen, Vice President, Sea Island Bank, Statesboro.  Be looking for more information soon.

 

Group Meetings Underway
GBA’s annual series of Group Meetings began this week with bankers from Groups 9, 10 and 5 having their meetings in Gainesville, Athens and Atlanta.  Our thanks to Richard Hunt, Gainesville Bank & Trust; Tommy Jackson, The Park Avenue Bank, Athens; and Bill Butler, Futurus Bank, N.A., Alpharetta for their leadership in chairing these meetings.  “We were delighted with the turnout and participation from the bankers from east Georgia, northeast Georgia and metro-Atlanta,” said GBA Chairman Edward C. Milligan, Chairman and CEO of Main Street Banks, Inc. in Atlanta. “These meetings give bankers throughout the state the opportunity to meet locally with their colleagues, GBA leadership and key staff.  We appreciated the good feedback about the program and look forward to four more Group Meetings next week,” Ed said.  Bankers in Groups 4, 7, 2 and 3 will meet in McDonough on Monday, Rome on Tuesday, Albany on Wednesday and Cordele on Thursday.  We hope all our members will take this opportunity to gather together in support of the industry and the GBA.  If you have any questions about your Group Meeting, call GBA’s Susie McGehee at (404) 420-2010.  

Third Annual Georgia BankPAC Classic
Registrations are coming in at a steady pace for Leadership GBA’s third annual Georgia BankPAC Classic.  This two-man scramble tournament will be held on Wednesday, October 15, at the Big Canoe Golf Club in Big Canoe.  The registration for this event is $300 per two-man team or $150 per person.  The fee includes greens fees, cart, range balls, lunch and a reception.  A registration form is enclosed in this bulletin for your convenience.  This event is a great opportunity to invite your legislators and directors to meet and network with your colleagues in the banking industry across the state.  Register now for this challenging and fun event and a chance to win the Georgia BankPAC trophy!  If you have any questions concerning the tournament, call GBA’s Susie McGehee at (404) 420-2010. 

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

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

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

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

 

GBA Briefs Legislators
The GBA hosted a luncheon last week for the Georgia House of Representatives leadership and the Legislative Budget Office to give them an update on the state and national economy.  Speaker of the House Terry Coleman (D-Eastman) presided and invited all committee chairs, members of the Policy Committee and a few key staff.  A total of 65 attended the briefing.  GBA asked Gregory Miller, Chief Economist for SunTrust Banks, Inc., to make the presentation.  Gregory did an outstanding job of discussing the recent trends pointing to an upturn in the economy.  He was cautious with his predictions, but in answer to a question on whether the state revenues would reach their estimates this fiscal year, he suggested the revenues would fall short by as much as 4 percent, but predicted higher revenues for fiscal 2005.  Due to the positive response from the legislators, Speaker Coleman asked GBA to continue this forum.

GBA Meets with FHLB
A delegation representing the GBA Board of Directors and the Credit Committee met recently with key officials of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta to discuss the bank’s collateral policies.  Our thanks to Ray Christman, President of the FHLB of Atlanta, for hosting the meeting and to Mike Owens, President and CEO of the Coastal Bank, Savannah, for chairing the GBA delegation.  The purpose of the meeting was to share concern with bank officials about how the existing collateral rules were having a negative impact on some of our members.  For example, several types of collateral are ineligible under bank policies and our members have asked that those restrictions be reviewed.  There was also a good bit of discussion about the “haircut” percentages that must be taken on some collateral.  The meeting was held just prior to the FHLB going into their three-day strategic planning process; and the Georgia board member for the bank, Brad Burnette of The Park Avenue Bank in Valdosta, reports the board discussed the GBA’s input in depth and was taking our recommendations seriously.  A follow-up meeting is being slated for early next year to continuing discussing our recommendations.

Department of Banking and Finance Receives Third Reaccredidation
The Georgia Department of Banking and Finance has been reaccredited for the third time by the Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS). The CSBS Accreditation Program identifies banking departments that serve the citizens of their state by operating a capable and professional regulatory program.  This designation certifies the departments maintain the highest standards and practices in state banking supervision. David G. Sorrell serves as the Commissioner of Banking and Finance.

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

Marketing Conference Set for November
GBA’s Marketing Conference is slated for November 13-14 at Chateau Elan Resort in Braselton. “Bank Marketing:  Moving from Good to Great” is the theme.  The conference will feature a panel of three CEOs who will discuss what they, as CEOs, expect from their marketing departments.  Other topics will include Demographic Trends that Impact Marketing, What to Do with Mystery Shopping Results, and back by popular demand, Peer Exchange.  As in the past, a pre-conference workshop will be held on November 13 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and the topic will be Turning Your Marketing Department into a Profit Center.  A block of rooms has been reserved at the Chateau Elan Resort and the deadline for reservations is October 13, 2003.  You may call the hotel directly at (678) 425-0900 to make a reservation. For additional information, contact GBA’s Marybeth Jones at (404) 420-2032.

 Get Smart About Credit Day–October 16
Remember when you were 18?  You hardly thought about next week, let alone planned for the next decade.  Over the years you learned the choices you made with your first credit card had the power to change your life for years to come, for good or bad.  When it comes to today’s teens and credit education, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.  That’s why the ABA Education Foundation is launching the first annual Get Smart About Credit Day on October 16.  As a community leader, you are in a unique position to help young people learn the dos and don’ts of credit now, so they can make smart financial choices later.  Participation is easy.  Contact your local high school, connect with youth groups, or visit college campuses and schedule a credit presentation for October 16–Get Smart About Credit Day.  The ABA Education Foundation has created an excellent resource kit that contains everything you need for your presentation.  Included in the kit are a video, lesson plans, hands-on activities and worksheets that youth can relate to.   To order your resource kit, simply call the ABA at 1-800-BANKERS or order online at their website.  If you have any questions about the kit or the program, call GBA’s Susie McGehee at (404) 420-2010.  Help make a real difference in the lives of young people.  You and the kids you reach will be glad you did. 
Insurance Trust, Inc.
Retirement Services, Inc.
GBA Services, Inc.

2003 GBA Salary Survey Completed!
We appreciate everyone’s participation in this year’s survey.  The completed survey will be sent early next week to those banks that participated in the compilation.  We are very excited with this year’s survey and feel certain the information collected will be a valuable resource for you throughout the next year.  If you were unable to participate but would still like to receive a copy, please call GBA’s Renee Valdez at (404) 420-2036.

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.

Welcome New Participant
The Board of Directors of the GBA Insurance Trust, Inc. welcomes to the Trust First National Bank of Forsyth County, Cumming, Andy Walker, CEO. The bank 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.

Closing Costs for Equity Loans and Second Mortgages Too High?
Would you like to have a product that will allow your bank to close a loan for under $100? GBA’s Strategic Partner, DSD Enterprises along with Wiesner Insurance Agency, has the answer for you – Bundled Closing Services.  

Our solution is an Internet-based program designed to assist lenders with processing and closing equity, second mortgage and refinance loans more quickly with less cost.  With the use of this system, lenders now have the opportunity to order all of the products and services necessary to process and close real estate loans of all types through one contact point and one-time data entry.  There are no exclusive use requirements, minimum volumes, or set up fees to take advantage of this technology.  The menu-driven system offers a full product line that includes credit reports, flood determinations, automated property valuations, and the Mortgage Loan Report (MLR).  The MLR allows a lender to view the borrower’s entire mortgage secured liens in 30 seconds, thereby allowing for quick closings.  The provider of the MLR maintains Errors & Omissions coverage for the life of the loan.  The cost to close an equity or second loan can be as low as $100 and refinance loans for $250.  Other real estate loan closing products are also available.

If you are interested in learning more about this unique program, please call Debra Evans (478) 625-8978 or GBA’s Renee Valdez (404) 420-2036.

Calhoun, Georgia Bank & Trust
The bank announces the following elections and promotions: Eddie Wilson as President and Chief Operating Officer; David Anthony as Senior Vice President and Senior Credit Officer; Richard Huie to Senior Vice President-Consumer Real Estate Banking; and Julie Walraven and Chris Tarpley to Vice President-Commercial Banking.

Smyrna, Community Bank of the South
Bill Corn has joined the bank as Vice President and Elaine Reilly as Head Teller.  Tammy Freeman has been promoted to Vice President, Loan Operations; Melinda Neese to Operations Officer, Branch Administration; and Kathy Winiarczyk to Human Resources Officer.

Watkinsville, North Georgia Bank
Kenneth Mann has joined the bank as Vice President of Commercial Lending and J. Haynes Standard has been promoted to Senior Vice President.

Latest Bank to Link
Welcome to Mount Vernon Bank, Don Thigpen, CEO, as the latest member to link to GBA’s website. Call 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 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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