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October 8, 2004
 

Associate Members have played an important part of the GBA during most of our 112 years.  Today, banks are receiving more options for top-quality, cost-effective products and services from more than 150 businesses which are enjoying increased visibility and expanded marketing opportunities. Company descriptions and contact information are available on our website or for more information, please contact Renee Valdez at (404) 420-2036.

Sub S Provisions Survive
Many of our members continue to be interested in improvements in the Subchapter S corporate tax treatment for closely held banks.  One of the bills considered to likely pass either before the elections or in a lame-duck session afterward is a tax bill addressing a number of significant issues.  The conferees have agreed to the Sub S language:  provisions treat members of a family as one shareholder, increase the maximum number of shareholders from 75 to 100, expand Subchapter S corporation-eligible shareholders to include IRAs, and to exclude investment securities income from the passive income test for Subchapter S corporations. The House passed the conference report on Thursday night and the Senate could act over the weekend.  For more information, please call GBA’s Elizabeth Chandler at (404) 420-2027.

Check 21 Communications Plan
The Georgia Bankers Association has been working with various individuals, organizations, associate members and others to help explain the changes bank customers will begin to see after Check 21 becomes effective October 28.  GBA President Joe Brannen wrote a column for weekly and daily newspapers around the state which should begin running soon.  “We felt it was important to put the issue in perspective for the majority of bank customers who will see very little change in their account relationships,” Joe said.  “Some of the early media stories have left the impression that paper checks will suddenly disappear when the new law takes effect but as we all know, that’s simply not the case,” Joe concluded.  The American Bankers Association has also begun distributing extensive video press releases and other collateral material to various media outlets, consumer groups and others, and we expect to see heightened interest in Check 21 later this month.

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

•  Dan Blanton, CEO, Georgia Bank & Trust Company, Augusta
•  Sam Smith, CEO, Century Bank of Bartow County, Cartersville
•  Bobby Shepard, CEO, PlantersFIRST, Cordele
•  John Lewis, CEO, Mountain State Bank, Dawsonville
•  Richard Hunt, CEO, Gainesville Bank & Trust
•  DeWitt Drew, CEO, Southwest Georgia Bank, Moultrie
•  Michael Lee, CEO, Citizens Bank of Effingham, Springfield

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

•  George Butler, CEO, The First National Bank of Barnesville
•  Bobby Shepard, CEO, PlantersFIRST, Cordele
•  Jim Edwards, CEO, United Bank, Griffin
•  Ed Milligan, CEO, Main Street Bank, Kennesaw
•  Steve Jordan, CEO, Bank of Monticello
•  DeWitt Drew, CEO, Southwest Georgia Bank, Moultrie

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

AIB Introduces New Diplomas
Millions of bankers have taken advantage of the many diploma and certificate programs sponsored by the American Institute of Banking (AIB) around the United States and especially here in Georgia. These programs help prepare students for careers in banking or to enhance the skills and knowledge they already possess. The programs are continually reevaluated and refined to reflect the needs of our bankers in their jobs today. The following diploma and certificate programs are currently available: General Banking, Bank Operations, Commercial Lending, Consumer Lending, Mortgage Lending, Banking and Finance, Bank Marketing, Bank Financial Management, Retail Branch Management, Personal Trust, Personal Banking, Retirement Services, Bank Teller, Call Center Representative, Customer Service Representative, Sales Manager, Supervisor and Team Leader.  For the details on these diplomas or certificates, please call GBA’s Edie Canales at (404) 420-2034.

AIB Instructors Needed
GBA is already planning our Winter 2005 AIB course schedule.  AIB has been the industry standard for banking education for over a century.  If you have a desire to share your knowledge and experience and earn a little money, AIB could be for you.  We are seeking qualified applicants to help educate and train bankers throughout the state.  It is our dedicated banker instructors who continue to make the AIB program a success.  Call GBA’s Edie Canales at (404) 420-2034 for additional information and an application.

Upcoming Marketing Conference
There is still time to register for GBA’s Marketing Conference slated for October 21-22 at the Savannah Riverfront Marriott. “Marketing Resources for Peak Performance” is the theme and topics include Integrity and Leadership, Branding and Positioning for Optimal Sales, Peer Exchange, Tips, Tools and Resources to Save Your Bank Money, Planning Events That Have Real Value, and Optimizing Interaction with Customers.  A pre-conference workshop will be held on October 21 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and the topic will be Effective Print and Radio Advertising.  For additional information, please contact GBA’s Marybeth Jones at (404) 420-2032.

Southern Operations/Technology School Deadline Approaches
The 2004 Southern Operations and Technology School takes place November 7-12 on the campus of the University of Georgia and the deadline for school registration is October 15.  The South’s finest school for bank operations and technology education, the school is hosted by the GBA and co-sponsored with six other state bankers associations.  The school’s sessions include the traditional bank operations and compliance areas, as well as an emphasis on risk management, profitability, sales, people-related issues and technology.  For more information and to register, please call Marybeth Jones at (404) 420-2032.

Welcome New Participants
The Board of Directors of the GBA Insurance Trust, Inc. welcomes to the Trust Prime Contractors, Inc., Douglasville, James Dunn, 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.

New 401(k) Features in Master Trust
GBA Retirement Services and Alliance Benefit Group, the third party administrator for the GBA Master Trust, will begin offering online enrollment for 401(k) participants in 2005.  This will eliminate the extra paperwork involved in enrolling your employees.  In addition, Alliance Benefit Group also offers payroll services to current members of the Trust at reduced rates.  By consolidating your 401(k) Plan administration and payroll services with one provider, you can reduce monthly and year-end administration in your retirement plan.  The programs offered through the GBA Master Trust provide flexibility to meet the needs of any bank or associate member who may be looking to add or change their qualified retirement plan.  Please contact Mandy Richards at (404) 420-2025 for information on how GBA Retirement Services can help design a retirement plan for your bank.

Time is Running Out
GBA and Promontory Interfinancial Network have worked together to provide GBA members a 40% discount off the implementation fee associated with the CDARS product.  This discount will expire October 31, 2004.  Through the Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service® (CDARS), a bank is able to offer their customers FDIC insurance on deposits up to $10 million.  CDARS is a deposit solution providing customers with an alternative to other high-quality, fixed-income investments, while improving liquidity within the financial institution.  Many of GBA’s members have taken advantage of this program and are now using CDARS with their public funds program.  To learn more about CDARS, you may contact GBA’s Renee Valdez (404) 420-2036 or Karl Nelson (770) 268-8446.

Check Fraud Season Approaching
The holidays are rapidly approaching and check fraud will inevitably be on the rise!  GBA’s Thumbprint Signature Program was designed to help banks lower their loss encountered from check fraud.  The device known as the Thumbprint Signature touch pad is intended to deter counterfeit and stolen check fraud by obtaining a thumbprint signature from non-customers when cashing on-us and not-on-us checks. The Thumbprint signature is only used by law enforcement agencies in the investigation of fraud claims made by account holders, and financial institution’s usage of the program acts as a natural deterrent. No database of fingerprints is kept by the banking industry, and the signature will be shared with law enforcement officials only in cases of suspected fraud. To find out more or to order this unique program, please contact GBA’s Renee Valdez at (404) 420-2036.

2005 Holiday Decals Arriving Soon
The 2005 Holiday Decals have arrived and will be sent to the banks on our standing order list within the next few days.  The window decals not only provide a professional appearance but also contain the 10 holiday closings recognized by the Federal Reserve Bank in accordance with FDIC rules.   If you are not currently on our standing order list and would like to receive a set, please call quickly; we have sold out for the last 4 years.  To order or to verify your standing order, please call GBA’s Renee Valdez at (404) 420-2036 or Kenyetta Parks at (404) 420-2035.

Are You Taking Advantage of your  GBA Member Benefits?
Get the Plans and HR Tools that Employment Regulators Demand

•  Affirmative Action Plans - Required for Banks with 50 or More 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 or Employment Law Compliance’s Steve Greene (866) 801-6302.

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.

Newsmakers:

Athens - Bank of Athens
Congratulations to Richard Hunt, CEO of Gainesville Bank & Trust, and the officers, directors and staff on the bank’s recent opening.  Scott Wayne is President and Mike Harris and Tori Haack have joined the bank as Vice President of Commercial Banking.  Chirs Gilmer has joined as Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager.

Atlanta - Fidelity Bank
David Buchanan has been promoted to Executive Vice President.

Atlanta - Flag Bank
Congratulations to Tom Wiley, CEO, and the officers, directors and staff on the opening of the bank’s Newnan branch.  Marlene B. Rhodes is Community Bank President.

Canton - Cherokee Bank
Congratulations to President and CEO Dennis Burnette for his recent appointment to the Commission on IOLTA.

Thomasville - Farmers & Merchants Bank
Kay Davis has been named to the bank’s local Business Advisory Board.

Valdosta - Commercial Banking Company
W. Edwin Lane, Jr. has been named President and CEO.

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About the GBA  I  Professional Development  I  Government Relations  I  Services