About the GBA  I  Professional Development  I  Government Relations  I  Services

April 9, 2004
 

> Wiley, Carmichael, Wren Nominated  More…
> SBA 7(a) Fix Enacted  More…
> GBA Comments to Farm Service Agency  More…
> Legislature Adjourns; Special Session Looms  More...
> Identity Theft Bill on Governor’s Desk  More...
> Other Bills Receiving Final Action  More...
> Lindsey Memorials  More…
> Welcome New Associate Members!  More…
> Georgia Banks Recognized  More…
> Calling All PEP Report Cards!  More…
> Training & Development Conference  More…
> Convention Deadline Approaching  More…
> Convention Sponsorships Available  More…
> Space Still Available for Freshman Class  More…
> Still Time to Volunteer  More…
> Hiring the Right Person  More…
> GBA Job Bank  More…
> April Professional Development Calendar
> 2004 Calendar of Events
 

Wiley, Carmichael, Wren Nominated
Larry Kuglar, President and CEO of First National Bank of Polk County, Cedartown, and chairman of the GBA Nominating Committee reports that the Committee has completed its work and is making the following recommendations for GBA officers: 

The Nominating Committee was comprised of the 10 Group Chairs and the three most immediate past GBA chairmen.  In making the report, Larry said, “We are delighted with the quality of the bankers we recruited for these critical positions within the association.  Their past record of service to the association and their enthusiasm for the future led the committee to unanimously recommend them to the membership.”  Each of the nominees began volunteering with the GBA at the Group level and served as Group Officers.  Each also currently serves on the GBA Board of Directors.  The report of the Nominating Committee will be presented during the business session at the Annual Convention, May 25, 2004 at the Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida.  Speaking of the convention, we are so pleased with the large number of bankers who are attending GBA’s convention for the first time.  We are getting close to selling out our block of rooms at the hotel, but there is still time to register.  Check out the interactive convention page on GBA’s website.  Complete information about the convention, how to register either online or via fax, phone or mail and other tips to make your convention experience the best possible are there.

Back to Top

SBA 7(a) Fix Enacted
The President has signed H.R. 4062, the “fix” for the SBA 7(a) funding problem. The changes will allow for approximately $12.5 billion in lending authority for SBA 7(a) in FY2004.  Other key changes:  7(a) loan guarantee raised from $1 million to $1.5 million; increase of annual lender fee from 25 to 36 basis points; and the option of processing all loans up to $2 million through the regular program or the SBAExpress program.

Back to Top

GBA Comments to Farm Service Agency
At the request of the GBA Agriculture Committee, the GBA has sent a comment letter to the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) in response to a recently published regulation to streamline their loan making programs covering both their direct loan program and to a lesser extent, their guaranteed loan program.  More than 5,000 banks around the country utilize the guaranteed loan program and for the first time, the FSA has proposed to define a ‘family farm’ based on an income test that would essentially be a borrower income cap of $750,000.  Many thanks to Agriculture Committee Chairman Bill Twomey, Cook Community Bank, Adel, for his help in responding to this proposal.  A copy of GBA’s letter objecting to the low-income cap is on the website.

Back to Top

Legislature Adjourns; Special Session Looms
The General Assembly has adjourned from their regular 40-day session; however, Governor Sonny Perdue is calling the General Assembly back into session to finalize a balanced budget.  The budget dominated the entire session as revenue projections were constantly revised, and the House and Senate leadership worked diligently to fund essential programs.  For the first time in four years, banking issues did not generate huge attention.  All the bills GBA followed, asked to be amended or opposed were resolved favorably.  Below are just four of the bills that received final passage.  All the bills we followed are listed on the State Issues page.

Back to Top

Identity Theft Bill on Governor’s Desk
   H.B. 656, described by its author as an identity theft prevention measure, was amended at our request by the Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee last week.  Our thanks to Committee Chairman, John Bulloch (R-Ochlocknee) for his important leadership.  The bill passed the Senate and the changes were agreed upon in the House on the final day.  Essentially the bill will require credit grantors to verify the consumer’s address if a response is received from an unsolicited credit card offer giving an address different from the address where the creditor sent the solicitation.  For existing customers, the address may be verified by information already on file with the credit grantor.

Back to Top

Other Bills Receiving Final Action
A number of bills GBA followed were passed in final form during the session.  Any bills which did not receive final passage are dead.  Following are the most important bills awaiting the Governor’s signature:

S.B. 157 prohibits payday lending, deferred presentment services or advance cash services for entities not otherwise licensed or regulated.

S.B. 405 is the annual housekeeping bill introduced at the request of the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance.  The provision of significant interest to banks deals with dropping the requirement for prior approval for third party service contracts.  Other provisions apply to other DBF regulated entities:  credit unions, money transmitters, mortgage lenders and brokers.  Click here for the bill summary prepared by the Department.

H.B. 1258 preempts local governments from enacting minimum wage and benefit levels for individuals employed by vendors with contracts within their jurisdictions.  The bill was introduced in response to an ordinance pending before the City of Atlanta City Councilthat specifies a minimum salary for anyone working with City contractors.  The GBA has opposed that ordinance and supports this legislation which will prohibit its adoption.

Back to Top

Lindsey Memorials
We have more information about memorials for former GBA Executive Vice President Frank Lindsey who died recently.  Those who wish to do so may make memorial gifts to Flint River Council Boy Scouts of America, 1363 Zebulon Road, Griffin, GA 30224; Christian Ministries Hospice, 621 Carver Road, Griffin, GA 30224; or First Baptist Church, 106 W. Taylor St. Griffin, GA 30224.

Back to Top

Welcome New Associate Members!
Congratulations to the following companies for being approved for Associate Membership at the March 30, 2004 Board Meeting:

·  Advanced Network Solutions, Memphis, Tennessee, Sonny Clark, President
·  Blue Streak Couriers, Jacksonville, FL, Glynn Barnes, Jr., President
·  Ceto and Associates, Suwanee, Nicholas Ceto, Jr., Managing Director
·  CSRA Business Lending, Augusta, Randy Griffin, President
·  Executive Benefits Specialists, LLC, Birmingham, AL, Russell Vandevelde, CEO
·  NBC Capital Markets, Memphis, TN, Rudi Scheidt, Jr., President
·  Prime Contractors, Inc., Douglasville, James Dunn, President
·  Search America, Morrow, S. Neal Olvey, President
·  Security Check of Atlanta, LLC, Atlanta, John Morris, President
·  Source 5 Payroll, Woodstock, Alice Kulukundis Strakes, CEO

Associate Members have played an important part of the GBA during most of our 111 years.  Today, more than 150 businesses are enjoying increased visibility and expanded marketing opportunities while banks are receiving more options for top quality, cost-effective products and services.  Please see the Associate Member page for company descriptions and contact information or contact Renee Valdez at (404) 420-2036.

Back to Top

Georgia Banks Recognized
Congratulations to the following banks for their recent recognition by the American Banker newspaper for being among the Top 150 Community Banks in the country with the Highest Return on Average Equity: Southern Horizon Bank, Leary; Bank of Dade, Trenton; Douglas County Bank, Douglasville; Talbot State Bank, Woodland; First National Bank of Coffee County, Douglas; and FirstCity Bank, Gibson.  Also recognized for being among the Top 150 Community Banks in the country with the Highest Return on Average Assets were:  Southern Horizon Bank, Leary; Douglas County Bank, Douglasville; Farmers and Merchants Bank, Dublin; Bank of Dade, Trenton; Merchants and Farmers Bank, Comer; and Talbot State Bank, Woodland.

Back to Top

Calling All PEP Report Cards!
Leadership GBA’s 2003-2004 PEP goal is to make at least 50,000 contacts but to date, only 9,800 contacts have been reported to the GBA office.  The PEP reporting deadline date is June 1 and we need your help to achieve our goal!  It’s easy to report your PEP contacts. Simply complete a PEP Report Card each time you return from a visit to a school or other group presentation. Remember that your National Teach Children to Save Day presentations can be reported as PEP contacts.  If you have any questions or need assistance, please call GBA’s Susie McGehee at (404) 420-4010.  Send those PEP Report Cards to GBA today!

Back to Top

Training & Development Conference
GBA’s Training & Development Conference, scheduled for April 22 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Macon, is rapidly approaching. This new conference was specifically developed to “train the trainer” and will be especially beneficial for trainers, training specialists and human resource personnel who serve in a training capacity. The Training & Development Committee, under the leadership of Mary Steele, has planned an informative and exciting conference.   A topic sure to make every CFO happy will cover Federal and State Tax Credits for training and education and a new product, “Spanish for Bankers,” will be demonstrated. Speakers include Terry McMillian, McMillian & Associates, Inc., Ellen Hester, Security Bank, Albany, and Jerry Elmore, Sales Development Consultant. For any questions, please call GBA’s Edie Canales at (404) 420-2034.

Back to Top

Convention Deadline Approaching
If you have not yet registered for GBA’s 2004 Annual Convention at The Breakers in Palm Beach, FL, please mail or fax your registration form today to (404) 522-9848. Time is of the essence for making room reservations at the The Breakers since it is close to reaching full capacity. Tours and activity reservations should be made with Monumental Meetings by completing the form in the convention brochure. We look forward to seeing you and your guests in May. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Elizabeth Todd at (404) 420-2031.

Back to Top

Convention Sponsorships Available
A few high-visibility sponsorships are still available for associate members to reserve. Call now to sponsor one of the memorable events at the 2004 Annual Convention at The Breakers in Palm Beach, FL. Co-sponsorships are most welcomed. Contact GBA’s Elizabeth Todd for an updated list of events still available for sponsorship at (404) 420-2031.

Back to Top

Space Still Available for Freshman Class
There is still time to register for GBA’s Georgia Banking School.  This three-year school is designed for first- and mid-level managers to provide a thorough understanding of critical banking functions such as asset-liability management, lending, human resource management, sales and marketing, investments and technology.  The school takes place at the University of Georgia April 25-30. For more information or to register, call GBA’s Marybeth Jones at (404) 420-2032.

Back to Top

Still Time to Volunteer
Each year the GBA has over 200 bankers from across Georgia serving the industry by volunteering on committees, boards and task forces. The appointment process for our 2004-05 year is underway and if you have not let us know of your interest, please call Marybeth Jones at (404) 420-2032.  Almost every banker who serves tells us they are better bankers because of their service.

Back to Top

Hiring the Right Person…..
For the right job is not an easy task
The Georgia Bankers Association has teamed up with TalentQuest 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.

Profiles that have been established include:

·  Teller
·  Customer Service Representative
·  Loan Processor
·  Network Administrator
·  Consumer Lending Officer
·  Commercial Lending Officer

These profiles have been developed by GBA member banks and will be available to all GBA members at a discounted price.  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 (404) 420-2036 or Jon Naphin (404) 266-9368.

Back to Top

GBA Job Bank
The Georgia Bankers Association offers free job posting resources for our member banks.  These listings can be viewed online or through our bi-weekly publication included in the GBA Bulletin.  Resume postings are also available.  For more information please contact GBA’s Renee Valdez (404) 420-2036 or Kenyetta Parks (404) 420-2035.

Back to Top

Congratulations to the following:

Atlanta - Fidelity Bank
Kevin Palmer has joined the bank as Vice President and David Grubbs and John Ledbetter as Assistant Vice President.  Steve Pulliam has been elected Banking Officer for Commercial Small Business Administration Lending and Scott Gudith has been promoted to Vice President.

Carrollton - West Georgia National Bank
H. B. Lipham, III has been named bank President and Executive Vice President of WGNB Corp. to succeed retiring Richard Duncan.

Cordele - Mid State Banks, Inc.
Wayne Wetherington has been appointed Secretary/Treasurer.

Cordele - PlantersFIRST
Congratulations to William E. Shannon, Jr. on his recent retirement. Also, Michael W. Henry has been appointed Chief Credit Officer.

Cumming - First National Bank of Forsyth County
Congratulations to Andy Walker, CEO, and the officers, directors and staff on the bank’s recent opening.

Fitzgerald - Colony Bank of Fitzgerald
Donna Padgett has been promoted to Vice President.

Mableton - Georgia State Bank
Ken Thigpen has been named Chairman and CEO and Ford Thigpen has been appointed President and Chief Operating Officer.

Milledgeville - Exchange Bank
J. William Thompson has joined the bank as Vice President and Branch Manager and Melvin T. Couey has been named City President of the Lake Oconee office.

Moultrie - Ameris Bancorp
Tommy Dampier has joined the holding company as Executive Vice President.

Statesboro - Sea Island Bank
The bank announces the its 2003 service award recipients: Bonnie McCorkel, 20 years; Martha Grovenstein, 15 years; Debbie McGraw, 15 years; Molly Sisson, 10 years; and Mary Beth Mock and Lanette Smith, 5 years.

Suwanee - Quantum National Bank
Douglas E. Wren has been named President and CEO to replace founding President and CEO, Chris Fluehr, who is retiring.

www.gabankers.com

About the GBA  I  Professional Development  I  Government Relations  I  Services