November 18, 2005

Commissioner-designate Sets Priorities
In a meeting with the newly named Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance, Rob Braswell, GBA officials were briefed on the Commissioner’s priorities when he takes office December 1.  Braswell has headed the Mortgage Division and will need to quickly name a successor.  The Mortgage Division is primarily responsible for the licensing, supervision, and examination of mortgage brokers, lenders, registrants, and processors.  Braswell will also have to name a replacement for Leslie Bechtel who is retiring as the Deputy Commissioner for Legal and Consumer Affairs.  Another priority will focus on the growth of mortgage fraud in Georgia.  We have reported on mortgage fraud in previous Bulletins and have supported legislation that stiffened penalties and enhanced law enforcement’s ability to prosecute.  “We look forward to working with Commissioner Braswell as he reorganizes the department and puts forth initiatives to enhance the state bank charter,” said GBA chairman Tom Wiley, CEO of Flag Bank, Atlanta.  “The Georgia Department of Banking and Finance is always recognized by other state regulators as one of the best, if not the best, managed Departments in the country, and we are confident that will continue under Rob’s leadership,” Tom concluded.

Regulatory Burden Bill Marked Up in Committee
The House Financial Services Committee has reported out a regulatory relief bill, H.R. 3505.  Among other things, the bill would cut Currency Transaction Report (CTR) filings for “seasoned” business customers – possibly eliminating up to 90 percent of CTRs.  Thanks to our GBA members who called on Congress to rebuff the credit unions’ attempt to add their expansionary bill to this legislation.  No member offered that amendment and we credit our members with the success of that effort.  Some of our members have also expressed serious concerns about Wal-Mart’s Industrial Loan Company application.  Former committee chairman Jim Leach (R-IA) was given assurance that hearings would be held by the committee to more fully understand the impact of Wal-Mart’s plans.  GBA has written FDIC asking that Wal-Mart’s application for deposit insurance be denied; we will closely monitor this issue.

Nominating Committee Solicits Names
The GBA Nominating Committee will soon select a banker to move through the GBA chairs to eventually become GBA Chairman.  The Committee is comprised of the ten Group Chairs and the three immediate past GBA Chairmen.  “GBA has been blessed over the years to have bankers recommended by their peers for leadership positions within the association, and we are looking forward to finding the right banker to continue that tradition,” said Nominating Committee Chair Dan Blanton, CEO, Georgia Bank and Trust Company, Augusta.  Contact Dan or any other committee member to recommend someone:

• Ed Milligan, Main Street Bank, Atlanta

• Larry Kuglar, First National Bank of Polk County, Cedartown

• Michael Lee, Citizens Bank of Effingham, Springfield, Group 1

• DeWitt Drew, Southwest Georgia Bank, Moultrie, Group 2

• Ben DuPree, Central Bank of Georgia, Ellaville, Group 3

• Bill Gafford, McIntosh Commercial Bank, Carrollton, Group 4

• Monty Watson, The Peachtree Bank, Duluth, Group 5

• Allen Lancaster, The Gordon Bank, Gordon, Group 6

• Bob Peck, Gateway Bank & Trust, Ringgold, Group 7

• Parrish Clark, Guardian Bank, Valdosta, Group 8

• Toby Goodlett, First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company of South Carolina, Toccoa, Group 9

• Remer Brinson, First Bank of Georgia, Augusta, Group 10

You’ve Passed the 2,000 Mark!
Thanks to our members who have written Congress opposing H.R. 2317, the Credit Unions’ legislation that would expand their commercial lending authority while reducing their capital requirements.  From the chart below, you will see that Georgia bankers have sent 2,021 letters to the Georgia delegation through the Action Alert link on our website.  As mentioned in the earlier article about the regulatory relief bill being reported out of committee this week, we know these letters are having an impact.  Please help us get to our goal of 2,990 letters if you have not yet written your letter.

GBA BankPAC Update
Since the last Bulletin, Ricky Nessmith, CEO, Farmers & Merchants Bank, Statesboro, has contributed to the GBA StatePAC.  Thanks for your support.  Click here for this week's BankPAC Update.

Legislative Reception Scheduled
The GBA’s annual Legislative Reception honoring the members of the General Assembly, the Constitutional Offices, the statewide Judiciary and other dignitaries is one of the best-attended events by policy makers of all events held in their honor.  This premiere event will be held on Wednesday, January 11, 2006, at the Hyatt Regency, Atlanta from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.  “Our goal is to simply thank the members of the Legislature for their service,” said GBA Chairman-Elect Bobby Carmichael, Chairman, President and CEO of Commercial Bank & Trust in LaGrange and Chairman of GBA’s Public Affairs Committee which co-hosts the event.  “However, it is equally important for bankers to show elected officials that our interest in the legislative process is strong and offer to educate them about the issues facing our industry.”  A block of sleeping rooms has been reserved at the Hyatt for the night of January 11.  The negotiated rate is $154 per night for a single or double room.  You may reserve a room by calling the Hyatt at (404) 577-1234.  Be sure to tell them you are with the Georgia Bankers Association.  Please call GBA’s Susie McGehee at (404) 420-2010 with questions.  Click here to register online.

Honor Graduates Recognized
The 2005 session of the Southern Operations and Technology School was held November 6-11 at the University of Georgia. The school’s two-year curriculum includes classes that expand and strengthen the student’s knowledge of key operations areas, new technologies, current regulatory issues, and management skills. Students are required to submit a home study project between the first and second year and a passing grade is mandatory for graduation. Each year two students with the highest grades on their home study projects are honored at graduation. This year’s Graduate of Distinction, the student with the highest grade, is Tim Dycus of The Bankers Bank in Atlanta. This year’s Honor Graduate, the student with the second highest grade, is Jaymie Miller of IronStone Bank in Alpharetta.  Congratulations to our two honorees.  A special thank you to the members of the school’s administrative committee for their hard work and dedication:  Sandy Robinson, School Director, ABC Bancorp in Moultrie; John Tyson, Darby Bank & Trust Co. in Vidalia; Sheila Ray, Atlanta Bancorporation; and Alice Rainey, Skylight Financial, Inc. in Atlanta.

AIB Customized Training
The American Institute of Banking (AIB) is the industry’s most comprehensive curriculum available in today’s market.  Being the local AIB provider, the GBA can offer training for all bank employees from entry-level positions to senior management.  By using various delivery channels, traditional classroom, eLearning and Online Instructor-led, training can be customized to fit the needs not only of your employees but also the strategic goals of your bank.  Some of the Winter 2006 AIB Classroom courses being offered include:

• Principles of Banking, Winder
  January 10, 2006: 10 wks, $195; text $60

• Principles of Banking, Canton
  January 10, 2006: 10 wks, $195; text $60

• Analyzing Financial Statements, Atlanta
  January 9, 2006: 10 wks, $195; text $69

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

• Retirement Plan Services – Investments, 6 wks, $860

• Today's Teller: Developing Basic Skills, (open enrollment), 8 wks, $300

These courses are instructor-facilitated with weekly assignments.  They can be taken from the comfort of your home or the convenience of your office. All you need is a computer, printer and Internet access.  With questions, please call GBA’s Fran Williams at (404) 420-2015.

Annual Convention Early Registration
The 2006 Annual Convention will be held on June 18-21 at The Ritz Carlton, Naples, Florida and promises to be an educational and memorable event you won’t want to miss!  Attendees will hear nationally known speakers discussing many of the hot issues facing bankers today.  If you would like to register early, please complete the registration form and return it, via mail or fax at (404) 522-9848, to the GBA office.  We will be happy to invoice your bank.  With questions, please call GBA’s Susie McGehee at (404) 420-2010.

Early Registration for Leadership Conference
Leadership GBA will host its 46^th annual Leadership Conference on July 16-19 at the Omni Championsgate Resort in Orlando, Florida.  The Leadership GBA Executive Committee has planned a great program that promises to be educational and enjoyable.  Attendees will receive important information on the issues facing bankers today as well as leadership training.  If you would like to register early, just complete the registration form return it, via mail or fax at (404) 522-9848, to the GBA office.  We will be happy to invoice your bank.  With questions, please call GBA’s Susie McGehee at (404) 420-2010 or Fran Williams at (404) 420-2015.

February Is Go Direct Month
Have you thought about getting more of your customers to embrace direct deposit options?  Then you will want to begin training you staff now as February has been designated by the U.S. Treasury Department as Go Direct Month.  Research has shown that bank tellers are the most influential people in the bank to help explain the benefits of direct deposit and the Treasury Department has good training materials you can use.  Collateral material is also available that you may customize for your own bank’s purposes.  Click the Go Direct link for complete information.

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 8+ years.  The Program has seen wide spread growth, not only in the financial industry but also through your commercial customers.  Check fraud does not discriminate, it 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 and law enforcement officials use these signatures only in cases 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.

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 Kenyetta Parks at (404) 420-2035.

Latest Bank to Link
Welcome to Midtown Bank & Trust Company, Atlanta, Stan Kryder, CEO, as the latest bank to link to GBA’s website. Call Lydia Thomas at (404) 420-2039 when your bank is ready to link.

GBA e-Bulletin Grows in Popularity
Did you see last Friday’s e-Bulletin?  If not, we must not have your email address in our database.  Every other Friday, GBA publishes only in electronic format the e-Bulletin and it is sent to over 2,000 bankers and others in Georgia.  Most of the focus of this publication is fast-breaking regulatory and legislative news as well as crucial information you need to know about the industry.  If you are only seeing the paper edition of GBA’s Bulletin, then you are missing some key information.  To subscribe to this free member service, simply send an email to GBA’s Lydia Thomas and we will add you to the distribution list.

Congratulations to…
…Mandy Richards, GBA’s Director of Retirement Services.  Mandy was recognized recently on the anniversary of her eight years of service with the GBA.  “We are fortunate to have Mandy working with the banks in our 401(k) profit sharing program.  She is a true asset,” said Tommy Weber, President of The Farmers Bank in Forsyth, who serves as Chairman of the GBA Retirement Services, Inc. Board of Directors.

Newsmakers:

Atlanta - Reliance Trust Company
Frances Mills has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Development.

Carrollton - West Georgia National Bank
Dan Rajczyk and Rori Bailey have joined the bank as Banking Officers, Commercial Lending.

Macon - New Southern Bank
Chris Graham has joined the bank as Commercial Lender and Annie Reed has been promoted to Assistant Vice President, Credit Administration; Linda Green to Assistant Vice President, Deposit Operations; Brent Taylor to Assistant Vice President, Commercial Lending; and Colleen Cook to Banking Officer, Compliance and Security.

Savannah - First Chatham Bank
Katie Kistler has joined the bank as Marketing Coordinator.

Smyrna - Community Bank of the South
Scott Games has joined the bank as Chief Credit Officer.

Calendar of Events

Conferences

Conventions/Events

Schools

Seminars

Opening Business Deposit Accounts

www.gabankers.com

About the GBA  I  Professional Development  I  Government Relations  I  Services