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Register now for
the Annual Convention
It’s time to
register for GBA’s 2004
Annual Convention, which will be held at
The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida. This year’s Convention
promises to be a great event you won’t want to miss. With its recent $145
million revitalization, the resort is definitely at its best. The
atmosphere is sophisticated, yet relaxed, with the look of a palace but
the feel of an inn. The Breakers is the perfect setting for offering a
dynamic program, fun-filled social and sporting events and relaxation. An
excellent program is planned that includes nationally recognized industry
leaders headlining the sessions. Joining us will be Bill Seidman,
former FDIC
Chairman and Chief Commentator for CNBC Cable News;
ABA Chairman Ken
Fergeson; Commander Scott Waddle, author of the best-selling
book, The Right Thing; and Jimmy Dunne, Senior Managing
Principal with
Sandler O’Neill and Partners, L.P. Six break-out sessions are also
planned and will be led by some of the top names in Georgia banking. More
information is available by calling GBA’s
Elizabeth Todd at (404) 420-2031.
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One of GBA’s greatest assets is the more than 225 bankers who volunteer each year to serve on a committee or board. These volunteers support our industry in critical
ways and as a result, our industry is able to accomplish our goals more
quickly and easily than any of us could independently. These volunteers also
serve as key leaders who assist our institutions better prepare for the
rapidly changing political, regulatory, and educational needs of today’s
banking environment. Dan Blanton, GBA’s Chairman-elect and President
and CEO of
Georgia Bank & Trust Company of Augusta, is starting this year’s
committee appointment process by looking for bankers who want to join their
colleagues from across Georgia in service to their industry. “GBA’s 17
standing committees and boards provide an excellent opportunity for you to
share your expertise and network with other bankers,” Dan said. “I stay in
touch and do business with bankers I met many years ago when I first started
volunteering at GBA. These lifelong friendships and business opportunities
are wonderful byproducts of service to your industry,” he said. Included
with the Bulletin is a
letter
from Dan, a
Fact Sheet
describing the GBA committees and boards, and a
volunteer
form to be used to recommend someone for a committee or volunteer
yourself. Please contact GBA’s
Marybeth Jones at (404) 420-2032 for more information.
Associate Member Nominee to Board
Associate Members, please complete your
ballot
to vote on your representative to the GBA Board for the 2004-06 term.
Danny Johnston, President of
SafeSystems, Inc., has been your representative for the past two
years and has done an outstanding job. You will see the
Nominating Committee has proposed that Steve Powell of
Steve H. Powell & Company, Statesboro, be nominated. Please return your
ballots to the GBA office by either mail or fax following the instructions
on the ballot.
2004 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 FedPAC: Tom Peterson,
President,
Montgomery Bank & Trust, Ailey; Steve Jordan, CEO,
Bank of Monticello, Monticello; and Don Lampe,
Womble, Carlyle, Sandridge & Rice, PLLC, Greensboro, NC. Thank
you for your support. Please contact
Elizabeth Chandler at (404) 420-2027 for additional
information.
USA PATRIOT Act
Guidance
The federal
banking agencies,
Treasury Department and
Financial Crimes
Enforcement Network have issued a set of 29
questions and
answers regarding compliance with Section 326 of the
USA Patriot Act and the
requirement to administer customer information programs (CIP). The agencies
expect banks to design their own programs in accordance with the nature of
their business.
e-Legislative Update
Throughout the General Assembly session, the GBA will be publishing a weekly
Legislative Update. As a subscriber to our e-Bulletin service, you
will be able to link directly to the e-Legislative Update. We will
have hyperlinks to the bill summaries managed on the General Assembly's
website so you can view the most up-to-date versions of the
legislation. Please give us any feedback
on this member service. Click here for today's
e-Legislative Update.
SBA 7(a) Jerked
Around
Lenders and
borrowers were thrown into a quandary the last two weeks when the
Small Business
Administration suddenly shut down the popular 7(a) loan program even
including loans already delivered to the agency. A firestorm erupted from
bankers and borrowers and the Office of Management and Budget authorized
some additional money for the program. The SBA announced it was back open
for business but the authorization is so small, it will be used up within
two to three weeks. The loan size was reduced from $2 million to $750,000
last year. We have urged
Congress to take quick action to restore funding for the program and
encourage our members who participate in this program to contact your
member of Congress and both senators. For more information, call
GBA’s
Elizabeth Chandler at (404) 420-2027.
FED
To Implement Check 21 Act
The
Federal Reserve
Board proposed a rule to implement the
Check 21 Act by
amending Regulation CC. The Check 21 Act authorizes substitute checks and
provides that a properly prepared substitute check is the legal equivalent
of the original check for all purposes. The goal of the Act is to
facilitate check truncation and electronic check exchange. The Fed’s
proposed
amendments set forth the requirements of the Check 21 Act that apply
to banks, provide a model disclosure and model notices relating to
substitute checks, and set forth bank endorsement and identification
requirements for substitute checks. The proposed amendments also clarify
some existing provisions of the rule and commentary. Comments are due March
12.
Calendar of Events
Schools
Conferences
Seminars
Events
American Institute of Banking
Leadership GBA
Personal Economics Program (PEP)
Internet Training
Financial Risk Management Conference
GBA’s
Financial Risk Management Conference is scheduled for March 11-12
at the Renaissance Waverly Hotel in Atlanta. Thanks to David Green,
Committee Chair and Interest Rate Risk Modeling Manager for
SunTrust Banks, Inc. in Atlanta, and the other members of the
Asset/Liability Management Committee for coordinating an
informative agenda. Topics include portfolio management, Section 404 of
the Sarbanes-Oxley legislation, balance sheet strategies, asset/liability
management trends, a national economic forecast by Christopher Low,
Chief Economist with
Capital Markets FTN Financial, New York, and a regional economic
forecast by Dr. Roger Tutterow, Chair of the Department of
Economics and Finance at
Kennesaw State University. For more detailed information or to
register, please contact GBA’s
Marybeth Jones at (404) 420-2032.
Georgia Banking
School
Twenty-seven
bankers took advantage of the Early Bird registration and enrolled in
the 2004 freshman class in Athens. Having broken recent total enrollment
figures for the past three years, another sellout at 70 is expected. We
recommend each bank make its
Georgia Banking School registration decisions soon. Call GBA’s
Marybeth Jones at (404) 420-2032 with questions.
Executive Management Academy
The first session
of the
Executive Management Academy will be held January 26 at the 1842 Inn
in Macon. This session will focus on Strategic Planning and
Elaine Demarest, Principal of Demarest Strategy Group, will
facilitate the session. Discussions will center on developing a plan and
keeping on track, evaluative opportunities and competition, formulating a
vision, budgeting techniques and developing a sound working relationship
with your Board of Directors. The Executive Management Academy is designed
in a peer-to-peer roundtable format and addresses issues of importance to
CEOs, presidents and executive management. You may attend all six sessions
or select individual sessions to attend, based on the content. For more
details, call GBA’s
Elizabeth Todd at (404) 420-2031.
There’s Still Time to Register
The
HR Professionals Institute is scheduled for
February
11-13
at the King &
Prince Beach and Golf Resort on St. Simons Island. In response to
human resources professionals throughout the state, GBA’s
Human Resources Committee has developed a new format that combines
the annual conference and the Human Resources University into an intense,
three-day program. This year’s theme is “Cultivating and Retaining Peak
Performers.” For hotel reservations, contact the hotel directly at (912)
638-3631. Call GBA’s
Marybeth Jones at (404) 420-2032 with questions or to register.
Retirement Services, Inc.
GBA Services, Inc.
Online Expo
2004 Holiday Decals
Almost Gone
The 2004
Holiday Decals are going fast. A complete set of window decals includes
professionally designed, clear window clings with the 10 holiday closings
recognized by the Federal Reserve Bank in accordance with FDIC rules. To
order, please call GBA’s
Renee Valdez at (404) 420-2036 or
Kenyetta Parks at (404) 420-2035.
For Sale
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.
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Some of the Services
Available 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.
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Welcome New Member
GBA Retirement Services, Inc.
is pleased to welcome to the Trust First National Bank of Forsyth
County, Cumming, Andy Walker, CEO. The programs offered through
the GBA Master Pension and Profit Sharing Trust provide flexibility to
meet the needs of any bank or associate member who may be looking at
adding to or changing their qualified retirement plan. The Master Trust
provides high quality, affordable pension, profit sharing, and Section
401(k) programs for banks and associate members of all sizes. Please
contact
Mandy Richards at (404) 420-2025 for information on how GBA can
help with your retirement plan design.
Welcome New
Participant
The Board of
Directors of the
GBA Insurance Trust, Inc. welcomes to the Trust First Coweta
Bank, Newnan, Mike Barber, CEO. This company joins more than
290 community banks and associate members in this unmatched member
benefit. Please call GBA’s
Susan Kelley at (404) 420-2017 for details.
Are You Taking
Advantage of Your GBA Member Benefits?
Get the Plans and HR Tools that Regulators Demand at a Substantial GBA
Member Discount
Affirmative Action Plans –
Required for Banks with 50 Employees
Take advantage of the system ELC
has developed to cost-effectively prepare and update bank affirmative
action plans. They use bank-specific narrative language reflecting the
significant changes to OFCCP regulations. They also use automated
statistical analysis to reduce the burden of data collection and increase
regulator satisfaction. You will receive Plans for Women and Minorities,
Covered Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities, and the postings,
notices, disclosures and forms necessary to implement the plan terms.
Bankers HR Toolkit™
The Toolkit™ provides all the essential human resources components
a community bank needs. You don’t have to think about what is required or
whether you have it. It’s all here. With the Toolkit, you get what you
need to: achieve effective selection of new employees; maintain
appropriate policies; manage performance, record retention and
compensation in a compliant manner; and more. When the materials need to
be changed to be compliant with new regulations or best practices, we
refine them for you. This is the banking specific program you have been
looking for. You’re not just getting documents, you’re getting a complete
program, and the reassurance that it has been put together by employment
compliance professionals who are highly knowledgeable and experienced in
banking. The Toolkit™ is comprised of various sections. Each
section has all the guidelines, forms, checklists, templates and other
tools you need, from drafting a new position description to negotiating a
separation agreement. For more information please contact GBA’s
Renee Valdez (404) 420-2036, Employment Law Compliance’s Steve
Greene (866) 801-6302.
You asked. We
answered. Now it’s your turn!
Alpharetta,
North Atlanta National Bank
Matt Shugart,
Jesse Dyer and Janie Gilbert have joined the bank as Business
Development Representatives.
Athens,
Athens First Bank & Trust Co.
John Tebeau
has been
promoted to Vice President.
Atlanta,
Porter Keadle Moore, LLP
Phil Moore
has been
selected to serve on PKF North American Network’s Board and Tim Keadle
has been elected Chairman of PKF North American Network’s Financial
Institution Committee for 2004.
Augusta,
Georgia Bank & Trust Co.
Jay Forrester
has been
promoted to Senior Vice President, Retail Banking and Ruthie Faircloth
to Assistant Vice President and Business Development Officer.
Dorothey Cunningham has been elected Assistant Vice President, Audit and
Compliance; Donna Zuehlke Assistant Vice President, Loan Operations;
and Samuel M. Easley Business Development Officer.
Cartersville,
Unity National Bank
Eli Willis
has joined
the bank as Chief Financial Officer and Stewart Griggs has been
promoted to Executive Vice President, Senior Loan Officer.
Commerce,
nBank, Corp.
Wyck A. Knox,
Jr. and
Fred B. Koons have been elected to the Board.
Dallas, First
National Bank West Metro
John F. Hall
has been
named President and CEO and Steve P. Chatham Executive Vice
President.
Macon, New
Southern Bank
Brandon
L. Mercer
has been promoted to First Vice President.
Savannah,
First Chatham Bank
Susan B.
McKennie
has joined the bank as Banking Officer.
Statesboro,
Sea Island Bank
Molly M.
Sisson has
been promoted to Vice President of Trust Services for affiliate Synovus
Financial Management Services.
Twin City, Durden
Banking Company
Congratulations
to F. Dickson Durden for recently being recognized at a reception
on his 80th birthday in conjunction with the bank’s recent open house to
celebrate their renovations.
Add GBA to List of
Approved Emailers
A bonus of
getting the
e-Bulletin
and
e-Legislative Update is the number of links that are included,
which is a great way to keep your key employees informed of significant
industry information, trends and events. We are all concerned with
controlling the amount of spam that reaches our email boxes but in order
for you to receive the e-Bulletin and e-Legislative Update,
your bank’s email controls must be set to accept them from the GBA.
To prevent disclosing our members’ email addresses, we obscure the
addresses and this can sometimes keep our publications from reaching your
email box. Please contact your system administrator and have them
add the GBA to your bank’s approved list of emailers. If you would
like to add your email address to our distribution list, please email
Lydia Thomas.
Be sure to include the name and email address of each person to be added.
