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May 5, 2006

Georgia Bankers Return from DC
A group of Georgia bankers spent most of this week in Washington, D.C. meeting with regulators, administration officials and Georgia’s congressional delegation.  “This annual event is an essential component of GBA’s ongoing outreach at the federal level to ensure our views are heard on the wide variety of issues concerning our members,” said GBA Chairman Tom Wiley, President of Flag Bank, Atlanta.  “In each of our meetings, we emphasized how the growing burden of regulatory compliance is drowning many of our members and told members of Congress we needed relief.  We also focused on the potential overreach by the regulators on the proposed commercial real estate concentration issue; the move by Wal-Mart to get FDIC insurance for their proposed Industrial Loan Company; the growing threats created by credit unions and the farm credit system; and efforts by the Realtors to keep banks from lawful real estate activities,” Tom said.

Among the federal regulators the group met with were the new Comptroller of the Currency, John Dugan, the OCC’s Chief Counsel, Julie Williams, and Chief National Bank Examiner Wayne Rushton.  At the FDIC, Board Member Tom Curry hosted a luncheon for the delegation along with his key staff.  And the group was briefed by Federal Reserve Board Governor Donald Kohn in the Board’s historic board room.  At the White House, Emil Henry, Treasury’s Assistant Secretary for Financial Institutions Policy, briefed the group on the administrations initiatives affecting banks; Jeff Kupfer, Special Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, gave an interesting briefing on significant economic issues of administration focus; and no trip to Washington would be complete without a political briefing which was given by the White House’s Jason Huntsberry, the Associate Director of the Office of Political Affairs.

On Capitol Hill, the bankers divided up among the various congressional districts to call on the House Delegation.  The bankers reported getting positive response from the Members of Congress on most of our issues.  The credit unions seem to be having a difficult time getting support to move their expansionary powers bill.  The Realtors have been trying to protect their turf and staying in constant contact with the Georgia Delegation.  And the Wal-Mart issue was well known by most members.  In meetings with Senators Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson, the bankers emphasized the need to pass a comprehensive regulatory relief bill similar to what the House had already passed.  The Senate version is a much watered-down bill that does not address enough of our concerns. 

Our thanks to the American Bankers Association CEO Ed Yingling and his staff for their help in briefings and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta for their sponsorship of several group events.

ABA’s Kathryn Kelly to Speak at Leadership Conference
Registrations are coming in at a steady pace for Leadership GBA’s 46^th Annual Leadership Conference slated for July 16-19 at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampoinsGate in Orlando, FL.  Kathryn Kelly, Associate Director of the ABA Education Foundation in Washington, D.C., will be on hand to share tips on how you and your bank can provide financial education in the communities you serve.  Not only can you differentiate yourself at work, you can also bring acclaim to your bank and advance your banking career.  Financial education isn’t just a “nice” thing to do.  It pays dividends for banks big and small.  “Leadership GBA is the best way for our members to help career bankers prepare themselves for a future with our industry,” said GBA President Joe Brannen.  “Every bank should be represented at this conference,” Joe said.  With questions, please call GBA’s Susie McGehee at (404) 420-2010 or Fran Williams at (404) 420-2015.

Georgia Peanut Bank Week
Georgia Peanut Bank Week is October 16-20, 2006, and is sponsored by the Georgia Peanut Commission in cooperation with Georgia Bankers Association.  Georgia Peanut Bank Week is a celebration of the important impact the peanut industry has on our state’s economy.  There is no cost to participate at the minimum level, and your bank will receive recipes and window teller posters free of charge.  Items such as sample peanut packages and recipe brochures are available through the Georgia Peanut Commission.  To participate, please register by May 16^th or contact Marcus Evans at (229) 386-3470 for more information.

Annual Convention Confirmation Packets Mailed
The 2006 Annual Convention confirmation packets, including Tour and Activity tickets, have been mailed.  If you registered for any Convention tours and activities, be sure to review the contents of your packet to ensure you have the proper ticket(s) for each activity for which you registered.  If you have not received your packet by Friday, May 12, or if there is a problem with your ticket(s), please call GBA’s Susie McGehee at (404) 420-2010.

Bankruptcy, Garnishments, Liens & Levies Seminar Offered
Recent legislation has created changes and modifications in Federal Bankruptcy Law.  To help you deal with these changes, the Georgia Bankers Association has scheduled its Bankruptcy, Garnishments, Liens & Levies seminar for Thursday, May 18, at the Holiday Hotel and Conference Center (formerly the Holiday Inn Macon Conference Center).   Other the topics to be covered at this one-day seminar include:

• Georgia Garnishment Law

  • Bank liability for wrongful compliance

  • Garnishments filed on the bank by third parties

• Georgia Lien/Levy Law

  • Bank’s responsibility & liability

• Georgia Bankruptcy Law

Register online or call GBA’s Fran Williams at (404) 420-2015 with questions.

Rural Development and Lending Conference Scheduled
The annual Rural Development and Lending Conference is scheduled for May 25-26 at The King & Prince Beach Resort on St. Simons Island.  Topics this year include Market Trends and Economic Overview, OneGeorgia Authority – Alternative Funding, Georgia Centers for Innovation Update, Mortgage Lending Opportunities for Rural Banks, Current Legal Issues in Agriculture, Changing Trends in Real Estate Prices, and Alternative Fuels.  Online registration is available or call GBA’s Marybeth Jones at (404) 420-2032.

Security Conference a Success
Over 60 bankers and associate members from around the state gathered April 6-7 at the Savannah Riverfront Marriott to spend two days discussing industry best practices in their field.  Top notch keynote speakers and peer group discussion were highlights of the event.  Our thanks to Committee Chair Donna Lawrence, Habersham Bank, Cornelia, and Committee Vice Chair Brian Frederick, Altamaha Bank, Uvalda, and the entire committee for their help in planning an outstanding and successful event.  A special thank you to our sponsors: Southern Bank Supplies for sponsoring the reception, Gladiator Technology Services, Inc. for sponsoring the luncheon, and 3Si for sponsoring the continental breakfast.

Status of Important Banking Cases
The monthly “Status of Important Banking Cases” is made available 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, please check out all the benefits of joining on the Bank Counsel Section page or call GBA’s Kenyetta Parks at (404) 420-2036 for information.

Another Good Quarter for GBARS
GBA Retirement Services, Inc. is pleased with the investment returns for 1^st quarter 2006.  Both Reliance Trust Company and Atlanta Capital Management continue to have solid, competitive long-term investment returns.  Since the consolidation of both investment firms’ products at the beginning of the year, GBA Retirement Services has seen continued growth among the number of banks entering the 401(k) Trust.   Please refer to the update for detailed returns.  Advantages of being part of the GBA Master Trust include:  GBA dedicated staff support as primary resource, coordination of all service providers to ease your administration, and ongoing investment education for employees (which includes a complimentary enrollment DVD).  Please contact Mandy Richards at (404) 420-2025 for information on how GBA Retirement Services can help design a retirement plan for your bank.

Real Estate Loan Products & Services
In recent years, the process for obtaining real estate loan products and services and closing loans has undergone tremendous changes due to increased competition as well as lenders searching for efficiencies and lower cost. DSD Enterprises, Inc. is affiliated with technology and product service providers that bring state of the art technology and the highest quality vendor options to the Georgia Bankers Association member banks. These options include no cost order/delivery vendor management technology as well as multiple vendor choices for all of the products necessary to close real estate loans. Product options for home equity, refinance, and second mortgage loans include alternative lien products that speed up processing and reduce closing cost without increasing risks, and automated property valuations obtained in seconds.

Key Products and Services include:

• Mortgage Document Preparation

• Credit Reporting Services

• Alternative Lien Products

• Flood Certifications

• Title Products

Featured Products for Home Equity, Refinance, and Seconds:
Alternative Lien Products have transformed the way these loans are being processed in the industry today. Almost all of the large national and regional banks have adopted the use of these types of products. Most recently the alternative lien products available through DSD Enterprises, Inc. were approved by Standard & Poor’s for use on rated RMBS loans sold on the secondary market. For more information on DSD, contact Debra Evans at (478) 625-8978.

GA 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.

Add GBA to Your Safe Sender List
A bonus of getting the e-Bulletin is the number of links that are included, which is a great way to keep your employees informed of significant industry information, trends and events.  In order to receive this publication, your bank’s email controls must be set to accept GBA’s e-publications.  Please confirm with your systems administrator that the GBA is on your safe senders list.  To add email addresses to our distribution list, please send the name and email address of each person you want added to Lydia Thomas.

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