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June 16, 2006

Georgia Bankers Head to Naples
 More than 500 Georgia bankers, Bank Counsel Section members, Associate Members and their families are leaving this weekend for GBA’s annual convention at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples.  “We are looking forward to an outstanding meeting filled with good speakers, networking opportunities and social events,” said GBA’s outgoing chairman Tom Wiley, CEO of Flag Bank in Atlanta.  “It has been an honor and privilege to serve as GBA’s 116^th Chairman, and I will be passing the gavel to our able new chairman and good friend, Bobby Carmichael, CEO of Commercial Bank & Trust Company in LaGrange.  We have had outstanding support from the membership this year, and the convention is a time to celebrate the successes of the past and build expectations for the future,” Tom concluded.  The GBA 2005-2006 year has been busy and productive.  At the federal level we were able to help pass bankruptcy reform and the FDIC reform legislation.  At the state level, we were brought into a number of issues that could have had tremendously negative consequences on our members; all were successfully beaten back.  The GBA’s professional development program continued on its furious pace with bankers from across Georgia attending in record-setting numbers.  And our Insurance Trust, Retirement Trust and the entire Member Services area continued to serve more members than ever.  Thanks for your support!

Real Estate Concentration
Federal Reserve Governor Susan Bies spoke this week at a mortgage bankers’ conference and spent a major portion of her time talking about the proposed new rules affecting those banks with commercial real estate (CRE) concentrations exceeding 300 percent of capital.  In the metro-Atlanta area, 131 community banks fall into this category.  Governor Bies said the proposed rules should apply only to what she called “true” CRE loans:  projects for which repayment depends on third-party rental income or on the sale, refinancing, or permanent financing of the property.  GBA commented on the proposed rule and one of our major points was that the rule did not differentiate among various categories of CRE.  Gov. Bies apparently agrees with GBA and said the new rule should not apply to loans for which a bank looks to a business’s cash flow as the source of repayment and accepts real estate collateral as a secondary source of repayment.

Compliance Peer Group in Organization
We are pleased to announce the formation of the Compliance Peer Group and are inviting compliance officers to attend an organizational meeting in Macon on July 25th.  The Peer Group is being established in response to many requests GBA has received from bankers across Georgia.  “The 21st century presents numerous challenges for those of us in the financial services industry – especially those with regulatory compliance responsibilities,” said Louvera Walden, Corporate Compliance for Ameris Bancorp., Moultrie, who has agreed to chair the organizational effort.  “New laws and regulations are enacted, existing regulations are amended, and old regulations we thought we knew are being interpreted in a different way.  The Georgia Bankers Association’s Compliance Peer Group is just what the busy compliance professional needs,” she said.  Our intent is for the Compliance Peer Group to be a place to network with fellow compliance officers, receive training on issues that face all of us, and exchange ideas on what works and what doesn’t.  The GBA Compliance Peer Group is being created for compliance professionals whether you wear your compliance hat full time or part time.  We will be announcing more details about the meeting soon.  Our goal is to facilitate compliance officers helping each other navigate the ever-changing tide of regulatory compliance.  For more information, please contact GBA’s Marybeth Jones at (404) 420-2032.

2006 BankPAC Campaign Underway
The 2006 BankPAC Campaign was kicked off just over a month ago and the response has been terrific.  The following banks have contributed to the GBA StatePAC:

• Rick Whaley, CEO, The Citizens Bank of Americus

• Andy Williams, President, United Community Bank, Blairsville

• Jimmy Tallent, CEO, United Community Banks, Inc., Blairsville

• Jud Vann, CEO, Planters and Citizens Bank, Camilla

• Rick Drews, CEO, Century Bank of Bartow County, Cartersville

• John Lewis, CEO, Mountain State Bank, Dawsonville

• Judy Turner, CEO, Decatur First Bank

• Bill Lumpkin, CEO, First Commerce Community Bank, Douglasville

• Jim Williams, CEO, Citizens Bank & Trust Company, Eastman

• Gary McGaha, CEO, Southern Community Bank, Fayetteville

• Bucky Kimsey, CEO, Neighborhood Community Bank, Newnan

• Kelly Hillis, CEO, The Bank of Perry

• La Wanna Hill, CEO, The Citizens State Bank, Reynolds

• Doug Harper, CEO, First Community Bank of Georgia, Roberta

• Brian Foster, CEO, First Chatham Bank, Savannah

• Danny Brinks, CEO, Bank of Upson, Thomaston

• Tom Callaway, CEO, Commercial Bank, Thomasville

• Neil Joiner, CEO, Bank of Dooly, Vienna

• Gary Bishop, CEO, CB&T Bank of Middle Georgia, Warner Robins

• Chuck Williams, CEO, North Georgia Bank, Watkinsville

Many thanks to all who have contributed thus far.  We will report contributors to the FedPAC in the next Bulletin.  For contribution information, please call Elizabeth Chandler at (404) 420-2027.  Click here to download the 2006 BankPAC Fundraising Guide.  Please consider giving to this important GBA effort.

Legislative Update at Leadership Conference
Final preparations are being made for Leadership GBA’s 46th Annual Leadership Conference.  This year’s event will be held on July 16-19 at the Omni Orlando Resort at Champions Gate in Orlando, Florida.  GBA’s own Elizabeth Chandler will be on hand to bring you up to date on the latest state and federal issues affecting the banking industry today as well as the results of the 2006 legislative session.  The GBA follows many issues at both the state and federal level that are of interest to a cross-section of bankers.  This update will also reinforce the importance of your being politically involved on behalf of your industry.  If you would like to attend this event, there’s still time to register.  With questions, call GBA’s Susie McGehee at (404) 420-2010 or Fran Williams at (404) 420-2015.

Call Reporting Seminar Slated for Macon
There’s still time to register for GBA’s Call Reporting seminar scheduled for Wednesday, June 28, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza in Macon.  The registration fee for members is $195.  Chief Financial Officers, operations officers and anyone who is responsible for the preparation of call reports should plan on attending.  This seminar will supply practical techniques to improve your bank’s overall call reporting process.  Participants will receive a detailed line-by-line review in the completion of each schedule of a Call Report.  Appropriate items to be reported and relationships between schedules will be discussed as part of this review.  The two schedules that will not be covered are the RC-S and the RC-T.  Highlights include:

• Proven organizational techniques to improve both speed and accuracy in your bank's call reporting processes

• Hands-on experience in call report preparation

• Common mistakes and problems with call reporting

A special thanks to the presenters from Mauldin and Jenkins, LLC:  Alison Wester, Cassie Castner, Kelly Cravens and Jim Vaughn.  With questions, please contact GBA's Fran Williams at (404) 420-2010.  Click here to register online.

Register Today for AIB Online Courses
Just a reminder that the following AIB online classes begin on June 26.  Please register as soon as possible to secure a seat in the class.

• Analyzing Bank Performance, 8 weeks, $695

• Introduction to Mortgage Lending, 16 weeks, $375

• Marketing Financial Services, 16 weeks, $375

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

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

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.

Upcoming AIB Classroom Courses
We have received a number of requests for AIB classroom courses for later this summer and fall.  More information about specific start dates will be announced shortly for those marked with an asterisk.

• Principles of Banking, taught by Cassie Parker of McIntosh State Bank, McDonough
  Beginning August 14, 10 weeks, $195, text, $60

• Principles of Banking, taught by Trae Dorough of SouthCrest Bank, Fayetteville
  Beginning August 22, 10 weeks, $195, text, $60

• Principles of Banking, taught by Steve McFarland of Gwinnett Community Bank, Lawrenceville
  Beginning September 14, 10 weeks, $195, text, $60

• *Marketing Financial Services, taught by Dale Morrissey of First Cherokee State Bank, Canton
  10 weeks, $195, text, $65

• *Principles of Banking, taught by Randy Blalock, Winder
  10 weeks, $105, text, $60

• *Analyzing Financial Statements, taught by Peter Faser of Flag Bank, Norcross
  10 weeks, $195, text, $69

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.

A New Approach to Streamlining Your Bank Account-Opening Process
SEDOA Systems, an endorsed Strategic Partner of the GBA, is dedicated to serving our member banks.  Founded in 1998, Atlanta-based SEDOA Systems is a privately held technology company devoted to making the bank sales process more effective and more efficient.  The key to a bank’s revenue vitality is cross selling appropriate products to its customer base.  Big banks, stockbrokers, mutual funds, and insurance companies all have strong sales cultures backed up with big technology and marketing budgets.  SEDOA System 4.0 is an innovative automated tool that can help your bank fend off these threats, streamline your account opening process, and achieve sales gains of 10% to 30%.  The foundation for a strong sales effort is an experienced staff that knows how to match solutions to customer needs, present those solutions persuasively, and follow up on opportunities to bring them to closure.  SEDOA System 4.0 is an Internet-based software application that helps your banks CSR’s understand customer needs, enables them to present bank products dynamically, and provides automated tracking and follow-up opportunities.  SEDOA solutions operate over the Internet and integrate with typical back office systems, thus making few demands on your banks IT department.  SEDOA is tailored specifically for bank selling environments and bank budgets.  For more information on SEDOA Systems, contact Glen Sloan at (770) 447-8767.

Outlaw Consulting, Inc.:  Georgia Retraining Tax Credit Processing
As a GBA Strategic Partner, Outlaw Consulting, Inc. continues to successfully work with member banks to identify, document and comply with the Georgia Retraining Tax Credit (“RTC”) saving member banks thousands of dollars in Georgia income tax.  Outlaw Consulting, Inc. has extensive knowledge in banking technology programs and welcomes the opportunity to work with your bank to identify potential qualified programs with no upfront costs.  For more information on Outlaw Consulting, Inc. and Georgia Retraining Tax Credit Processing, please contact Dee C. Cook at (770) 631-8503.

Georgia Banking Laws & Commercial Code
GBA is the official provider of the annual update of the Georgia Banking Laws published by LexisNexis.  The books contain all changes in state banking law, rules of the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance and the Uniform Commercial Code.  Prices for the current edition are $265 plus $7 handling and 7% sales tax.  Please contact GBA’s Kenyetta Parks at (404) 420-2035 with questions or to order your copy.

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.

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:

Athens - Bank of Athens Scott Wayne, President, has announced the opening of the bank’s new main office at 3445 Atlanta Highway. Dawsonville - Mountain State Bank Lisa C. Hoxie has been named Senior Vice President and Johns Creek Area Executive. Douglas - Colony Bank Southeast Charlene Hall has been promoted to Senior Vice President and Scott Miller to Banking Officer. Duluth - Gwinnett Community Bank John T. Martin has been promoted to President. Milledgeville - Exchange Bank The bank announces the following promotions:  Arthur T. Gunn to Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; Terry Kennedy to Assistant Vice President/Business Development and Marketing Officer; and Gail Taylor to Operations Officer/Loan Compliance Officer. Mount Vernon - Mount Vernon Bank Congratulations to CEO Don Thigpen, who was recently honored by Brewton Parker College as Alumni of the Year. Ringgold - Northwest Georgia Bank Stacie Phillips has joined the bank as Assistant Vice President and Assistant Branch Manager and Gregory Epps as Assistant Vice President. Rock Springs - Covenant Bank & Trust Trent Sanford, CEO, has announced the bank’s official opening this week. Thomasville - Farmers & Merchants Bank W. Theo Proctor, III has joined the bank’s Board of Directors.

Bank of Athens Grand Opening      Hoxie                    Martin Phillips                Epps