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April 8, 2005

Annual Convention Rooms Going Quickly
Rooms for GBA’s 2005 Annual Convention are going quickly at The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch in Vail, CO. If you have not already done so, please make your reservations by calling the hotel directly at (800) 576-5582.  Be sure to let them know you are with the Georgia Bankers Association Group. If you are bringing your family and would like to rent a condominium, one, two and three bedroom condos adjacent to the hotel, are also available at a competitive daily rate. For more information on rates and availability, call GBA’s Susie McGehee at (404) 420-2010. Make your reservations today.

Sponsorships Available
A few Annual Convention sponsorships are still available for reservation to associate members.  If you would like to sponsor or co-sponsor an event or receive an updated list of sponsorships still available, please call GBA’s Susie McGehee at (404) 420-2010.

e-Legislative Update: Wrap-Up Edition
Read the wrap-up of this year's legislative session in today's e-Legislative Update.  Headlines in today's edition include:
 

As a subscriber to our e-Bulletin service, you are able to link directly to the edition we've posted on our website.  Click on the hyperlinks to the bill summaries managed on the General Assembly's website to ensure you are viewing the most up-to-date versions of the legislation. Check the 2005 State Issues page for other bills or call GBA’s Elizabeth Chandler at (404) 420-2027.  Please give us any feedback on this member service.

HMDA Data Generating Scrutiny
In last week’s e-Bulletin, we reminded our members that banks are now required to make HMDA data available to the public upon request. Be sure and read the Frequently Asked Questions document prepared by the Federal Regulators and sent to all the banks.  In a speech to a banker group, Federal Reserve Governor Susan Bies discussed the inherent limitations of HMDA data in determining whether unlawful discrimination has occurred. “One of the most important limitations of the HMDA data set is that it does not include data about many of the legitimate factors lenders use to determine prices in the mortgage market, including key credit-risk factors,” Bies said.  We have already seen the first series of articles about the data in the Wall Street Journal and the American Banker.  Please call GBA’s Elizabeth Chandler at (404) 420-2027 if we may be of any help in explaining the data to those inquiring.

Feds Moving on Major Issues
Several significant events have recently occurred from federal regulators and the Congress:
 

There Is Still Time to Register
GBA’s Training & Development Conference is scheduled for April 21 at Callaway Resort in Pine Mountain. The conference was specifically developed to “train the trainer” and will be especially beneficial to trainers, training specialists and human resources personnel who serve in a training capacity. The Training & Development Committee has planned an informative and exciting conference.  Helen Johnson of Columbus Bank and Trust will present “How Do I Get There From Here?” that will take a look at career development strategy for the 21^st century in banking and beyond.  Highly acclaimed author Michael Muetzel of “They’re Not Aloof… Just Generation X” will enlighten you on how to harness the talent and energy of younger workers, often referred to as Generation X. He will also share insights on how to address the generational differences as a training and management issue. Alison Moreau will present ABA’s Performance Training Series and eLearning courses.  Alison will have two mini presentations of actual courses to show how easy and convenient these training materials are to use in your bank. For conference reservations and detailed information, please call GBA’s Edie Canales at (404) 420-2034.

AIB Online Course Summer Schedule
In partnership with the American Bankers Association (ABA) and the American Institute of Banking (AIB), the GBA offers instructor-led online training.  These online courses have specific starting and ending dates and range from five-week seminars to sixteen-week classes.  An AIB instructor facilitates the entire class and weekly assignments are given.  Courses include Financial Accounting, Commercial, Consumer, and Mortgage Lending, Principles of Banking, and Global Banking.  Instructor-led online courses are offered year-round and can be taken from the comfort and convenience of your home or office. All you need is a computer and Internet access. Check out the schedule of courses for May to August 2005 to register or call GBA’s Edie Canales at (404) 420-2034 for more information.

Calling All PEP Report Cards
Leadership GBA’s 2004-2005 PEP goal is to make at least 50,000 contacts.  To date, only 14,000 contacts have been reported to the GBA office.  The PEP reporting deadline date is May 31 and we need your help to achieve our goal. It’s easy to report your PEP contacts.  Each time you return from a visit to a school or other group presentation, simply complete the online PEP Report Card.  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 Fran Williams at (404) 420-4015.  Send those PEP Report Cards to GBA today.

Leadership Conference Approaching
Brochures have been mailed for Leadership GBA’s 45^th Annual Leadership Conference which will be held on July 17-20 at the Hilton Oceanfront Resort on Hilton Head Island, SC. The Executive Committee has planned a great program to help you prepare for the constant changes in the banking industry. The conference also provides excellent networking opportunities for bankers from around the state to share ideas. But no conference would be complete without an economic update. Despite some lingering anxiety, the economy seems to be on the right track. New jobs are being created at a solid pace, consumer confidence is climbing and business spending is starting to contribute to growth as well. Against this backdrop, inflation is slowly creeping higher and the Fed is steadily raising rates. Chief Economist Christopher Low of FTN Financial in New York will talk about the Fed rate hike and when it might end as well as the prospects for growth, inflation and the financial markets. Please call GBA’s Susie McGehee at (404) 420-2010 or Fran Williams at (404) 420-2010 for more information.

Operations Conference Successful
Special thanks to Henry Pope, CEO, Exchange Bank, Milledgeville and Chair of the Operations and Technology Committee, for all his and the committee’s efforts in making their recent conference a success.  Thanks also to the exhibitors who were present: Southern States Security Check, Vidalia; BroadSource, Inc., Atlanta; Southern Financial Systems, Adel; Harris Communications, Inc., Toccoa; Jack Henry & Associates, Inc., Monett, MO; EVault, Emeryville, CA; Solar Velocity, Smyrna; and Safe Systems/ Gladiator Technologies, Inc., Alpharetta, who also sponsored the evening reception.

Welcome New Participants
The GBA Insurance Trust, Inc. Board of Directors welcomes to the Flint Community Bancshares, Inc., Albany, Scott Tomlinson, CEO, and Southern Bank & Trust, Clarkesville, Sidney Roland, III, CEO. These companies join 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.

Status of Important Banking Cases
The “Status of Important Banking Cases” is made available monthly to members of the Bank Counsel Section as an enhanced value to your membership. Our thanks to the American Bankers Association's Office of General Counsel for providing this resource.  If your bank’s counsel is not yet a member, check out all the benefits of joining on the Bank Counsel Section page. Please call GBA’s Renee Valdez at (404) 420-2036 for information.

Investment Managers Recognized
GBA Retirement Services is pleased to report that both investment managers for the GBA Master Pension and Profit Sharing Trust were recognized in the category of Atlanta’s Top Ten Money Managers according to the Atlanta Business Chronicle. Reliance Trust Company ranked number five, with over $19 billion in managed assets and Atlanta Capital Management ranked number seven, with over $9 billion in managed assets. Both providers have produced very competitive long-term returns for the GBA Master Trust. 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 call GBA’s Mandy Richards at (404) 420-2025 for information on how we can design a retirement plan for your bank.

Is Check Fraud Draining Your Income?
Lower your bank’s check fraud by participating in GBA’s Thumbprint Signature Program.  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 can be used by law enforcement agencies in the investigation of fraud claims made by account holders, and financial institution’s usage of the program is a natural deterrent.  No database of fingerprints will be kept by the banking industry, and the signature will be shared with law enforcement officials only in cases of suspected fraud.  This inexpensive program can decrease your check fraud loss immediately.  To order this unique program or for further information, you may contact GBA’s Renee Valdez at (404) 420-2036 or Kenyetta Parks at (404) 420-2035.

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 combined 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 Mark Wiesner (770) 559-1026, Debra Evans (478) 625-8978 or GBA’s Renee Valdez (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.

Newsmakers:

Albany - HeritageBank
Mitchell Smith has joined the bank as Executive Vice President, Senior Credit Officer.

Alpharetta - North Atlanta National Bank
The bank announces the following additions:  Jackie Meadows as Vice President and Branch Manager, Brian McGuire to the bank’s management trainee program, and Deepal Gajjar as a Teller.

Carrollton - West Georgia National Bank
Congratulations to Leighton Alston, CEO, directors and staff on the recent opening of the bank’s Mirror Lake office in Villa Rica.

Gainesville - Gainesville Bank & Trust
Kimberly West has been promoted to Assistant Vice President and Ben Campbell to Banking Officer.  John E. Mansour has been elected to the Board of the holding company, GB&T Bancshares, Inc.

Jackson - McIntosh State Bank
Charles M. Harper, III has been named Senior Vice President in Jackson and Troy Huffman has been named Assistant Vice President in the McDonough office.

Norcross - First Security National Bank
Nathan B. Collins has joined the bank as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

Talbotton - Peoples Bank of Talbotton
The bank announces the following changes due to the sudden death of President and Chief Executive Officer A. P. (Gus) Persons, III on February 17, 2005:  Bonnie M. Parker has been named President and Chief Executive Officer, Kelly C. Braddy has been promoted to Vice President, Henry M. Persons has been named an officer of the bank and A. P. (Gus) Persons, IV has been named Chairman of the Board.

Thomaston - West Central Georgia Bank
Our sympathies to the family, friends and colleagues of Jesse E. Rogers, Sr. who died recently. Jesse was the bank’s founder and Chairman of the Board.

Thomasville - Farmers & Merchants Bank
Olivia B. Wright has been elected Information Technology Officer.

Wrens - First State Bank
Richard E. “Skip” Horne has joined the bank as Executive Vice President and Senior Lending Officer.

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About the GBA  I  Professional Development  I  Government Relations  I  Services