Georgia Bankers Recognized for Grassroots Involvement
The chairman of the American Bankers Association, Earl McVicker, Chairman and CEO of Central Bank and Trust Company of Hutchinson, Kansas, has recognized members of the Georgia Bankers Association with a Grassroots Achievement Award.  The award was given to thank the more than 3,000 bankers who wrote letters to members of Congress in support of our efforts to stop the unbridled expansion of credit unions.  In presenting the award, McVicker said, “Your exemplary effort helped make it clear to the Members of Congress that bankers care about this issue.”  GBA Chairman Bobby Carmichael, Chairman and CEO of Commercial Bank & Trust in LaGrange, shown at right accepting the award, said, “With over 60,000 bankers in Georgia, we can be a huge grassroots force.  If we are going to be successful in the next Congress, we will need to redouble our efforts.  The credit unions will continue their push and we expect to have our own bill.  It’s in all our interests to stay involved.”

Third Quarter Earnings Report Strong
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has released the bank and thrift earnings report for the third quarter of 2006, and the industry continues to post strong results.  Commercial banks and savings institutions reported net income of $37.6 billion for the quarter, just slightly below the the record for industry earnings of $38.0 billion reported in the second quarter. The third-quarter earnings represented an 8.6 percent improvement over the same period last year.  FDIC says the profitability is the result of lower expenses for loan losses and increased net interest income made possible by strong loan growth.  Here are some bullet point highlights from the report:

• Commercial lending growth remained strong. Real estate construction and development loans, loans to commercial and industrial (C&I) borrowers, and loans secured by nonfarm nonresidential properties were the categories with the largest quarterly increases.

• Net interest margins continued to narrow, especially at large institutions.  The industry’s net interest margin declined to a 17-year low in the third quarter.

• Noncurrent rate rises from record low level. The percentage of noncurrent loans and leases (those that are 90 days or more past due or in nonaccrual status) rose during the quarter from a 22-year low of 0.70 percent to 0.73 percent.

• Signs of industry strength abound. Equity capital posted its second-largest increase ever in the third quarter. The industry’s core capital (leverage) ratio rose to an all-time high at the end of September. The number and assets of institutions on the FDIC's “Problem List” fell to the lowest level in the 36 years for which data are available – the ninth consecutive quarter without a failure of an FDIC-insured institution and the longest such period in the FDIC’s 73-year history.

Here is how Georgia commercial banks compare with all banks nationally on some selected key indicators:

	Georgia Banks	All U.S Banks
Net Interest Margin	3.48	3.52
Non-performing assets	0.52	0.74
Net charge offs	0.11	0.39
Equity capital	10.66	10.36
Return on Assets	1.32	1.37
Return on Equity	12.47	13.36

GBA BankPAC Update
Since the last Bulletin, Sean Childers, CEO, Hometown Community Bank, Braselton, has contributed to the GBA StatePAC. BankPAC Chairman George Butler, CEO of First National Bank in Barnesville reports, "Thanks to the overwhelming support from our members all over Georgia, the BankPAC campaign this year has been an outstanding success.  With 2006 being an election year, the PAC was called upon by candidates seeking state or federal office, and we were able to respond.  Campaign contributions are integral to the elective process; and with your help, we have been able to play a significant role this year.  Georgia bankers contributed $62,394 to the Federal PAC and $145,830 to the State PAC. Thank you for your support."  For more information, please call GBA's Elizabeth Chandler at (404) 420-2027.

Legislative Reception Reminder
Plans are being finalized for GBA’s annual Legislative Reception.  This premier event is slated for Wednesday, January 10, 2007, from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency, Atlanta. Invitations are being mailed to legislators and special guests and we anticipate a great crowd. It is crucial that a large number of bankers attend and show your support for the banking industry and the Association by registering a group of representatives from every bank.  If you plan to spend the night, remember that the cut-off date for the special GBA rate of $159 per night at the Hyatt is Friday, December 29.  You may reserve a room by calling the Hyatt at (404) 577-1234.  If you have any questions about the reception or the hotel, please call GBA’s Susie McGehee at (404) 420-2010.  Register representatives from your bank now and make plans to attend one of the GBA’s most important events of the year.  Please click here register onnline.

Last Call for Advanced Consumer Lending Seminar in Macon
There’s still time to register for GBA’s Advanced Consumer Lending seminar slated for Wednesday, December 6, at the Ramada Plaza (formerly the Crowne Plaza) in Macon.  Designed for lenders with at least one year consumer lending experience, this advanced class will tackle the more complicated credits requiring an analysis of the customer’s cash position from tax returns.  In addition, participants will learn to evaluate collateral and to ensure that documentation is complete to perfect the bank’s security interest in that collateral.  Topics include:

• Cash flow analysis for the self-employed borrower

• Tax return analysis

• Loan documentation

Please call GBA’s Susie McGehee at (404) 420-2010 or Courtenay Pope at (404) 420-2015 with questions.  Click here register.

BSA Seminar Scheduled for December 7
Effective June 30, 2006, federal regulators have revised the BSA/AML Examination Procedures.  As a result, BSA Officers and Risk Managers have more responsibilities than ever to meet exam expectations.  To help you with your BSA compliance woes, GBA will host its ever popular BSA Seminar on Thursday, December 7, at the Ramada Plaza (formerly the Crowne Plaza) in Macon.  This one-day, interactive seminar will include tools to conduct a risk assessment of bank customers’ products and services to identify “high-risk” accounts as well as comprehensive internal audit and independent review procedures.  Some of the topics to be discussed include:

• New Exam procedures for BSA + OFAC+ CIP + Suspicious Activity Reporting

• How to Develop a Risk Assessment + Risk Profile for your Bank

• How to perform customer due diligence and monitor “High-Risk” accounts

• Additional requirements for Money Services Businesses (“MSBs”)

Please call GBA’s Susie McGehee at (404) 420-2010 or Courtenay Pope at (404) 420-2015 with questions.  Please click here register online.

HR Professionals Institute Scheduled
Final plans are underway for the HR Professionals Institute scheduled for February 21-23, 2007, at Chateau Elan in Braselton.  The agenda will include the following topics:  Recruitment and Interviews, The Future of Health Benefits, Legal Update, Behavioral Assessments, Right Sizing, Best Practices in HR/Audit Checkup, Coaching, Disaster/Emergency Follow-up and Retirement Planning.  The brochure will be mailed with the next Bulletin.  A block of rooms has been reserved and the deadline for reservations is January 22, 2007.  You may call the hotel directly at (678) 425-0900 to make a reservation.  Please call GBA’s Marybeth Jones at (404) 420-2032 with questions or to click here to register online.

Earlybird Registration for Leadership Conference
Leadership GBA will host its 47^th annual Leadership Conference on July 15-18, 2007, at the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club in Ponte Vedra, FL.  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, please click here.  We will be happy to invoice your bank.  Please call GBA’s Susie McGehee at (404) 420-2010 or Jennifer Stevens at (404) 420-2024 with questions.

Winter 2007 AIB Classroom Courses
AIB classes meet three hours each week for 10 to 15 weeks and will be held at a local financial institution.  If you would like to see a specific course offered in your area or if you have any questions about AIB classroom courses, please contact GBA’s Alison Moreau at (404) 420-2034.  Following are the AIB classroom courses scheduled for Winter 2007:

• Supervision, taught by Cassie Parker of McIntosh State Bank, McDonough.
  Beginning January 8, 15 weeks, $295, text $75

• Consumer Lending, taught by Steve McFarland of Gwinnett Community Bank, Duluth.
  Beginning January 9, 10 weeks, $195, text $75

• Principles of Banking, taught by Randy Blalock of The Peoples Bank, Winder.
  Beginning January 11, 10 sessions, $195, text $60

Register Today for AIB Online Courses
Here is a preview of upcoming January Courses:

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

• Analyzing Bank Performance, 7 weeks, $695 (Jan. 16)

• Analyzing Financial Statements*, 16 weeks, $475 (Jan. 16)

• Commercial Lending, 16 weeks, $375 (Jan. 29)

• Consumer Lending, 16 weeks, $375 (Jan. 22)

• General Accounting*, 16 weeks, $475 (Jan. 16)

• Introduction to Mortgage Lending, 16 weeks, $375 (Jan. 22)

• Law & Banking:  Applications, 16 weeks, $425 (Jan. 22)

• Principles of Banking, 16 weeks, $375  (Jan. 16 & Jan. 29)

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

There is still availability in the following AIB Online December Courses.  Please register as soon as possible to secure a seat in the class.

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

• Analyzing Financial Statements*, 16 weeks, $475 (Dec. 11)

• Economics for Bankers, 16 weeks, $375 (Dec. 11)

• Financial Accounting*, 16 weeks $475 (Dec.11)

• Fundamentals of Consumer Lending, 5 weeks, $220 (Dec.11)

• General Accounting*, 16 weeks, $475 (Dec. 18)

• Law & Banking: Principles, 16 weeks, $425 (Dec. 11)

• Principles of Banking, 16 weeks, $375 (Dec. 18)

• Problem Loan Workouts, 6 weeks, $275 (Dec. 18)

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

• Trust Basics, 16 weeks, $375 (Dec. 11)

These courses are instructor-facilitated with weekly assignments and 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. Classes with an asterisk * require Microsoft Excel.  Please see the AIB Online Fall 2006 Schedule or the AIB Online January – April 2007 Schedule for a complete listing or call GBA’s Alison Moreau at (404) 420-2034 with questions.

GBARS Welcomes New Member
GBA Retirement Services, Inc. is pleased to welcome to the Trust The Patterson Bank, Charles Beard, CEO.  The programs offered through the GBA Master Pension and 401(k) Profit Sharing Trust provide flexibility to meet the needs of any bank or associate member who may be looking at adding 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 on how GBA can help design a retirement plan for your bank.

Human Resources Solutions
Employment Law Compliance, Inc. is a Strategic Partner of the Georgia Bankers Association and our primary resource to provide employee handbooks, toolkits, affirmative action plans, and other human resource compliance products specifically designed for community banks.  Keeping up with ever-changing employment regulations and human resources best practices can be time consuming.  Monitoring changes specific to the banking industry adds even more effort to the task.  Employment Law Compliance focuses on the needs of community banks that do not have the luxury of a large HR staff or in-house employment counsel.  Their staff is committed to designing and maintaining solutions and services that can help your bank attract, hire, retain and manage the best employees.  ELC can assist your bank in addressing the challenges of employment compliance.  Whatever the reason – lack of time or internal resources or the high cost of outside counsel – Employment Law Compliance can take care of your bank’s needs.  For more information, please contact Employment Law Compliance’s Steve Greene at (770) 206-3371 or GBA’s Chad Wilson at (404) 420-2022.

Affinion Group: Customer Appreciation Program
Affinion Group Customer Appreciation Program, which is endorsed by the Georgia Bankers Association, offers banks $1,000 of complimentary accidental death and dismemberment insurance at no cost to the DDA, credit card, and mortgage customers. Additionally, at the time of the offering, the customer has the option to purchase additional amounts of insurance at a low monthly charge. Currently over 4600 financial institutions have decided to implement the Customer Appreciation Program. They range in size from small rural community banks to money center banks. There is no cost to the bank to offer the program. Not only does this program help increase profitability by increasing fee income, it also helps retain core accounts. For more information on Affinion Group’s Customer Appreciation Program, contact Bill Lowe, Senior Account Executive, at (800) 251-2148, ext. 2562 or GBA's Chad Wilson at (404) 420-2022.

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.

Some of the Services Available Through GBA Services, Inc.

Pledging Pool Program	Thumbprint Signature Program
Georgia Laws Code Book	Georgia Financial Directory
Discounted Check Program	Internet Loan Closing Program
Human Resources Solutions	Checking Club Programs
Discounted Local & Long Distance Program	Bond and D&O Insurance
Non-Qualified Executive Benefits (BOLI)	Trust and Investment Services
Record Retention Guide	Holiday Decals
Frontline Sales Platform	Financial Industry Pre-Employment Assessments
FinCrime	Job Bank

GBA Services, Inc. is governed by a board composed primarily of community bank presidents who look for the best products and services available.  They do the due diligence for you and you can rely on their efforts.  For more information or to order any of these products or services, please call (404) 522-1501.

Newsmakers:

Albany - HeritageBank of the South T. Heath Fountain has been named Chief Financial Officer. Cumming - Patriot Bank of Georgia Cherice Cothran has joined the bank as Assistant Vice President and Mortgage Loan Officer. Richmond Hill - Bryan Bank & Trust Brad Brookshire has been promoted to Vice President of Construction Lending. Savannah - First Chatham Bank Jerry Braddy has been promoted to Credit Officer. Savannah - Savannah Bancorp, Inc. John C. Helmken, II, has been named CEO. Smyrna - Community Bank of the South Gordon R. Tyrolt has joined the bank as Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager of the bank’s Canton Road location in Marietta. Villa Rica - Community Bank of West Georgia Kevin Isgette has joined the bank as Senior Risk Management Officer and Group Vice President.	Cothran	Brookshire
	Braddy	Tyrolt

Serving the needs of Georgia Bankers since 1892 Search I Staff I Contact Us Georgia Bankers Association - 50 Hurt Plaza, Suite 1050, Atlanta, GA 30303 • Phone 404.522.1501 • Fax 404.522.9848