December 30, 2005

Thank You for a Great 2005
All of us at the Georgia Bankers Association want to thank you for your tremendous support this past year.  Our last fiscal year ended June 30 and we completed that year with a record number of attendees at our events and big increases in usage of all our products and services.  Through the first six months of our current year, we are on track for another fantastic year.  “We are so fortunate to have virtually every bank in the state as a member and over 250 bankers serve in a volunteer capacity,” said GBA President Joe Brannen.  “That kind of support gives us the ability to offer the best educational program, the highest quality products and services available anywhere, and be a positive force in representing the industry with our elected officials,” he concluded.  We send along our best wishes for a prosperous and productive 2006.

FDIC Insurance Reform Passes
Reforming the FDIC has been one of our priority federal issues for a number of years, and we were delighted when Congress finally included the consensus FDIC reform package in another bill passed just before they adjourned for the year.  The package has been stalled by a procedural move in the Senate which has nothing to do with the reform measure, and it is still uncertain how the issue will be resolved when Congress goes back in session next January.  Because of the non-controversial nature of the legislation, we expect it to be enacted, if not within the current bill, then another early in the new year.  Our thanks to the American Bankers Association for providing a synopsis of the components of FDIC reform.  Please click here to read the summary.

Popular Director Program Next Month
One of our most popular one-day programs for bank directors will be held January 25 at the Holiday Inn Conference Center in Macon.  The program is entitled, What Every Bank Director Needs to Know, and it is especially good for fairly new directors or directors who want a good overview of all the new rules and regulations affecting their role with the bank.  Geri Forehand with Brintech is our instructor and among the topics to be covered are:  Roles, Duties and Expectations of a Bank Director in 2006; Financial Analysis:  Ratios, Trends and Indicators; Risk Management:  Credit, Interest Rates and Liquidity; Asset Quality; Loan Administration; Characteristics of High Performance Banks; Bank Secrecy Act and Anti-Money Laundering; Current Regulatory Views on Bank Directors Responsibilities; Capital Management:  Mergers and Acquisitions; and Strategic Planning.  That is a lot to cover in one day, but the directors who have attended in the past tell us it helped them to be better directors.  With questions, please call GBA’s Fran Williams at (404) 420-2015.

Legislative Reception Reminder
Just a reminder to register for GBA’s 2006 Legislative Reception.  The event will be held on January 11, 2006, from 6:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency, Atlanta.  Responses are pouring in daily from members of the Legislature and bankers.  If you attended the reception the last two years, you will remember that Governor Sonny Perdue has given his State of the State address that same evening.  We understand from the Governor’s staff that he will be giving his address that afternoon at 3:00 p.m. so there should not be any conflicts with dinner plans you will want to make with your legislators.  If you plan to spend the night, remember that the cut-off date for the special GBA rate of $154 per night at the Hyatt is December 31.  You may reserve a room by calling the Hyatt at (404) 577-1234.  Please call GBA’s Susie McGehee at (404) 420-2010 with questions.  Make plans now to attend and show the size of the banking industry’s grassroots support for our agenda.

AIB Classroom Courses for Winter 2006
We are excited about the new, customized format for AIB classroom courses and we appreciate the bankers in Winder, Canton, Norcross and Ringgold for agreeing to teach for us Winter Semester.  We would also like to thank the banks for their generous contribution of providing a meeting space.  As a reminder, AIB classes can be customized to fit the educational needs as well as the scheduling needs of bankers in your area.  We are constantly looking for experienced bankers to be instructors for AIB classes.  Here is a listing of AIB classes that will be offered beginning January 2006:

• Principles of Banking, Winder
  Instructor:  Randy Blalock
  Location:  The Peoples Bank
  January 10:  10 weeks, $195; text $60

• Principles of Banking, Canton
  Instructor:  Dale Morrissey
  Location:  Cherokee Bank
  January 10:  10 weeks, $195; text $60

• Analyzing Financial Statements, Norcross
  Instructor:  Peter Faser
  Location:  Flag Bank
  January 9:  10 weeks, $195; text $69

• Ethical Issues for Bankers, Ringgold
  Instructor:  Todd Pence
  Location:  Northwest Georgia Bank
  January 24:  2 weeks, $145 (includes text)

• Supervision, Ringgold
  Instructor:  Jeff Kovach
  Location:  Northwest Georgia Bank
  January 26:  10 weeks, $195; text $75

Please call GBA’s Alison Moreau at (404) 420-2034 with questions or if you would like for the GBA to offer a specific AIB course in your area.

Register Today for AIB Online Courses
Just a reminder that the following AIB online classes begin on January 17 with the registration deadline being January 3.

• ABA Online Review Course for the CTFA Exam (open enrollment),
  12 wks, $750

• Analyzing Financial Statements, 16 wks, $475

• Banking Today, 5 wks, $275

• Consumer Lending, 16 wks, $375

• Law & Banking: Principles, 16 wks, $425

• Principles of Banking, 16 wks, $375

• Today's Teller: Developing Basic Skills (open enrollment), 8 wks, $275

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