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September 10, 2004
 

•  Al Ross, CEO, Colony Bank Southeast, Douglas
•  Jack Hunnicutt, CEO, ABC Bancorp, Moultrie
•  Milton Gray, CEO, The Citizens Bank of Swainsboro

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

•  Alton Wingate, CEO, Community Bankshares, Inc., Cornelia
•  Richard Hunt, CEO, Gainesville Bank & Trust
•  Kessel Stelling, CEO, Riverside Bank, Marietta
•  Milton Gray, CEO, The Citizens Bank of Swainsboro

Thanks to all for your support. Please contact Elizabeth Chandler at (404) 420-2027 with questions or for additional information.

GAO Supports GBA Position on Credit Union Capital Standards
The GBA has been opposing the credit unions’ attempt to reduce their capital requirements while expanding their business lending authority. The legislation, H.R. 3579, redefines a credit union’s net worth ratio which would weaken their compliance with the prompt corrective action regulations. The General Accounting Office released a report this week to Congress essentially saying the credit union’s attempt is unwarranted. The credit union industry is planning a series of trips to Capitol Hill this fall to plead their case with individual members of the Georgia delegation. So far, none have signed on as co-sponsors of the bill and we encourage our members to let your Congressman know your views.

Fall AIB Classes Begin Next Week
Georgia bankers have the opportunity to register for one of 59 AIB courses offered in 25 locations as part of the Fall AIB Semester which begins September 13.  These courses are led by active bankers experienced in the field, and classes are forming during the months of September, October, November and December.  There are two other options to take AIB Classes – both online.  GBA offers 43 instructor-led courses with specific assignments each week.  We also offer 60 self-paced classes.  Call GBA’s Edie Canales at (404) 420-2034 with questions.

Bank Counsel CLE Credits Approved
The Commission on Continuing Lawyer Competency has recently approved 7 general CLE hours for the Bank Counsel Conference program agenda. The conference, scheduled for October 3-5 at the Westin Savannah Harbor Resort, is being held in conjunction with GBA’s President/CEO Conference. This event will give bank attorneys an opportunity to learn more about the latest hot topics in the banking legal arena while visiting with bank presidents.  Rooms are still available and you may call the hotel directly at (912) 201-2000 to make your reservation. GBA’s Bank Counsel Section provides a forum for bank counsel to be more knowledgeable in the areas of bank examination, regulation, compliance and the general business of banking.   For more information about the conference or becoming a Bank Counsel Section member, please call GBA’s Susie McGehee at (404) 420-2010.

Peanut Bank Week
Peanuts Pride of the South is the theme for this year’s Peanut Bank Week, sponsored by the GBA’s Agriculture Committee, chaired by Bill Twomey at Cook Community Bank in Adel, and the Georgia Peanut Commission.  Georgia Peanut Bank Week was developed to salute Georgia’s official state crop.  Banks have the opportunity of joining in the promotion and celebrating the success of Georgia’s peanut producers during the week of October 11-15.  To sign up, please contact the Georgia Peanut Commission’s Marcus Evans at (229) 386-3999.

Get Smart About Credit Day–October 21
Credit is a fact of life for most Americans.  It helps you purchase dreams like a home, car or a college education and can also lend a hand in an emergency.  Yet, the choices you make about how you use your first credit card or handle your first loan, can change your life for years to come.  That’s why bankers are going into high school classrooms, connecting with youth groups, and visiting college campuses across America on Get Smart About Credit Day on Thursday, October 21.  At this event, cosponsored by GBA’s Leadership Development Section and the ABA Education Foundation, bankers will help young people get smart about credit now so they can make smart financial choices later.  As a community leader, you can 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 21–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 complete the order form, call the ABA at 1-800-BANKERS or visit the ABA website.  If you have any questions about the kit or the program, call GBA’s Susie McGehee at (404) 420-2010 or Fran Williams at (404) 420-2015.  Help make a difference in the lives of young people.

TSSCL Graduates Georgia Bankers
Four Georgia bankers were among bankers from six states to complete requirements for graduation from The Southeastern School of Commercial Lending^SM (TSSCL).  Congratulations to John deFrances, Federal Reserve Bank, Atlanta who graduated with top honors, Jennifer Duprow, Federal Reserve Bank, Atlanta, who earned honorable mention, Robert Hawkins, Federal Reserve Bank, Atlanta, and Tim Treat, The Bankers Bank, Atlanta.  A total of 66 bankers from Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Minnesota, and Mississippi attended the annual program, which is held at the Owen Graduate School of Management on the Vanderbilt University campus in Nashville.  The TSSCL is an intensive, one-week school that exposes students to the major issues commercial loan officers face on a daily basis.

Credit Committee Survey Reminder
The GBA has been asked to support a university research project in the commercial lending arena. What’s being investigated is whether a company can lower its cost of capital by increasing its disclosures and the researchers have designed a web experiment where commercial loan officers evaluate a loan application and make an accept/reject decision.  Embedded in the loan application is information about the type of financial data the bank will receive from the company.  Survey participants are also asked to assign an interest rate that might be charged if the bank accepts the loan application. The entire experiment should last 15-20 minutes and I am assured the survey is completely anonymous. When previewed, the survey was not password protected but if prompted for a user name, type in: GBA; the password is: loan. We will share the tabulated survey results with you.

Retirement Services Welcomes New Member
GBA Retirement Services, Inc. is pleased to welcome to the Trust First National Bank of Decatur County, Bainbridge, Tracy Dixon, 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 more information about how GBA can help you with your retirement plan design.

Valdosta Area Hospitals Join Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO
We are happy to inform our participants in the GBA Insurance Trust that Blue Cross Blue Shield has reached an agreement with several hospitals in the Valdosta area.  As of October 1, 2004, the following facilities will be considered in-network:  South Georgia Medical Center, Valdosta; Clinch Memorial Hospital (a critical care facility), Homerville; and Louis Smith Hospital, Lakeland.  Our PPO participants may now use any of these 3 facilities and get in-network benefits.  As always, employees can visit the BCBS website to see a complete listing of in-network doctors.  Please call GBA’s Susan Kelley at (404) 420-2017 with questions.

Check Fraud Season is Right Around The Corner …Are you Ready?
Check fraud costs banks and their customers millions of dollars each year. With this simple and cost effective program, you can lower your banks’ loss/risk.

The Georgia Bankers Association has promoted the Thumbprint Signature Program for over 7 years.   The Program has seen wide spread growth, not only in the financial industry, but also through your commercial customers.  Check Fraud is not prejudice, if affects everyone.  This simple, inexpensive program can help deter check fraud, significantly.

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.  Law enforcement officials only in cases use these signatures 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.

How Do We Get Started?   There is no start-up fee other than the cost of the actual Thumbprint pads and products themselves.  The Thumbprint pads will now last 1,500-2,000 impressions, three times longer than the previous pad.  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.

2004 GBA Salary Survey Completed
We appreciate everyone’s participation in this year’s survey.  We are pleased with this year’s survey and have added quite a few new features including trend reports requested by this year’s Human Resource Committee.  The completed survey will be sent early next week to those banks that participated in the compilation.  Pricing is based on the asset size of your bank so everyone can take advantage of the survey.  If you were unable to participate but would still like to receive a copy, please call GBA’s Renee Valdez at (404) 420-2036.

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.

Newmakers:

Athens - First American Bank & Trust Co.
Kelly O’Connor White has joined the bank as Vice President and Commercial Lending Officer.  Jim Collins has been promoted to Vice President and Compliance Officer; Natalie Nix to Assistant Vice President and Human Resources Officer; and Beth Akin-Whiting to Mortgage Operations Officer.

Atlanta - BANC Financial Group
Brent Cherry has joined the firm at Vice President of Business Development and Accounts Executive.

Atlanta - SecureWorks
Congratulations to CEO Michael Cotes, officers and staff on recently receiving the CIO 100 Award from Chief Information Officer (CIO) magazine.

Carrollton - Citizens Bank & Trust of West Georgia
Ted Edgar has joined the bank as President and CEO with James A. Gill remaining as Chairman.

Gainesville - GB&T Bancshares, Inc.
State Senator Casey Cagel has joined the Board of Directors.

Gainesville - The National Bank of Gainesville
Al Satterwhite has joined the bank as President and CEO and Michael Lynch as Senior Vice President.

Hiawassee - Bank of Hiawassee
Rollo F. Ingram has joined the bank as Chief Financial Officer.

Savannah - First Chatham Bank
Jennifer Goodman has joined the bank’s mortgage lending team.

Savannah - First National Bank
The bank announces new staff at its Pooler branch:  Kay C. DuLong as Operations Clerk; Patti Olson as Loan Auditor; Hazel Rodgers as Operations Officer; Jennifer Sapp as Administrative Assistant; and Brianna Tucker as Teller.

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About the GBA  I  Professional Development  I  Government Relations  I  Services