Elections Bring Change in Atlanta and DC
In last week’s e-Bulletin, we congratulated those elected in the historic state and national elections held November 7.  Here in Georgia, Lt. Governor-elect Casey Cagle (R-Chestnut Mountain) has been busy getting ready to assume the office in January.  He named a five-member panel of business leaders to a transition team.  The team will be headed by United Community Banks, Inc.’s Tom Gilliland of Blairsville.  Two other members of the team have connections to our industry:  Phil Wilheit of Gainesville serves on the GB&T Bancshares, Inc. Board and Richard Tucker of Lawrenceville serves on the Brand Banking Company Board.  The other two members of the transition team are Sandersville businessman Charles Tarbutton and Atlanta attorney Anne Lewis.  The Senate Democratic Caucus re-elected Robert Brown (D-Macon) as Minority Leader and Tim Golden (D-Valdosta) as Minority Caucus Chair.  The House Leadership will remain essentially the same next year.  In a caucus meeting this week, Speaker Glenn Richardson (R-Hiram) and Speaker Pro-tem Mark Burkhalter (R-Duluth) were re-elected.  The House Democratic Caucus is expected to elect DuBose Porter (D-Dublin) as House Minority Leader.  At the Federal level, the incoming chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, Barney Frank (D-MA), has issued a statement that it is too early to be speculating on his agenda for 2007.  He has previously been outspoken against FDIC granting Wal-Mart’s ILC FDIC insurance application and in support of more affordable housing.  The incoming chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, Chris Dodd (R-CT), has also not made any announcements of his plans.  We have worked with Sen. Dodd over the years, mostly on insurance and securities issues.  More recently, he has also been outspoken on the need for more affordable housing and has criticized the credit card issuers for their marketing practices and fee structure.  As the issues become more solidified with the new leadership, we will keep you informed on any impact on our industry.  With questions, please call GBA’s Elizabeth Chandler at (404) 420-2027.

Annual Convention Early Registration
The 2007 Annual Convention will be held on June 17-20 at The Ritz Carlton, Grand Cayman, Cayman Island 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, click here.  Please call GBA’s Susie McGehee at (404) 420-2010.

Legislative Reception Slated
The GBA’s annual Legislative Reception honoring 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 10, 2007, at the Hyatt Regency, Atlanta from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.  “It’s important that we as bankers thank the members of the Legislature for their service.,” said GBA Chairman-Elect Jim Williams, CEO of Citizens Bank & Trust Company in Eastman and Chairman of GBA’s Public Affairs Committee which co-hosts the event.  “It’s just as important for bankers to show them our interest in the legislative process is strong.”  A block of rooms has been reserved at the Hyatt for the night of January 10.  Call the hotel directly at (404) 577-1234 to reserve your room, and be sure to tell them you are with the GBA.  Click here to register online.

GBA BankPAC Update
Since the last Bulletin, the following banks have contributed to the GBA StatePAC:  Gary Blackburn, CEO, Farmers State Bank, Lumpkin, and G.W. Johnson, CEO, Durden Banking Company, Incorporated, Twin City.  Thank you for your support.  For information, please call Elizabeth Chandler at (404) 420-2027.  Click here for this week's BankPAC Update.

Last Call for Credit Conference Attendees
Final plans have been made for the annual GBA Credit Conference scheduled for November 29-30 at the Cobb Galleria in Atlanta.  The Credit Committee, chaired by David Coxon with United Community Bank in Fairburn, has planned an excellent program.  Jimmy Tallent, President and CEO of United Community Banks, Inc. in Blairsville, will open the conference with a much-anticipated keynote address.  He will be followed by Wachovia’s senior economist, Mark Vitner, who will share his thoughts on the economy and what lies ahead in 2007.   Phillip Rassel with Metrostudy will give an update on housing trends across Georgia and the southeast in a breakout session.  Another breakout session will be led by United Community Bank's, Inc. chief appraiser, Gloria McColgan, MAI, who will discuss all the latest trends on ordering and using appraisals and what to be looking for. SunTrust Bank's Senior Vice President and Senior Credit Policy Officer, Dev Strischek, will lead a session on Commercial Real Estate Portfolio Management.  The conference will wrap up with a regulatory panel moderated by Steve Powell of Steve H. Powell and Company, Statesboro.  Georgia Department of Banking and Finance's Rob Braswell is one of the regulators speaking on the panel as well as representatives from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.  Time will also be reserved for Peer Discussion.  Reserve your room at the Renaissance Waverly Hotel today by contacting the hotel directly at (770) 953-4500.  Please click here to register online or for further information, please call GBA’s Marybeth Jones at (404) 420-2032.

Compliance Peer Group Has 2nd Meeting
Our thanks to almost 80 bankers who participated in this week’s Compliance Peer Group in Macon.  Louvera Walden with Ameris Bancorp, Inc. in Moultrie chaired the session.  Our thanks, also, to Steve Moore of Bank Compliance Services who spoke on the latest information on flood requirements and BSA/AML compliance.  The Compliance Peer Group meets quarterly and the next meeting for March of 2007 will be announced soon.  If you have not been participating and you wear the compliance hat for your bank, please know you are always welcome.  To join the peer group, simply send an email to GBA’s Marybeth Jones to let her know of your interest.

Special to our e-Bulletin Readers - A Compliance Year-end "To Do" List
GBA Associate Member, Steve Powell with Steve Powell & Company in Statesboro had an interesting article in his recent quarterly publication.  Steve says the Fourth Quarter is typically a hectic time for financial institutions as they prepare for annual audits, receive increased customer traffic due to the holidays and deal with everyday issues particular to the industry. As the year comes to an end, it is important to ensure that compliance issues do not get pushed to the bottom of everyone’s “to do” list.  To see Steve's list of compliance issues that should be considered by year-end and/or for First Quarter 2007, please click here.

Register Today for AIB Online Courses
Just a reminder that the following AIB online classes begin on December 11.  Please register no later than two weeks ahead of time 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

• Economics for Bankers, 16 weeks, $375

• Financial Accounting*, 16 weeks, $475

• Fundamentals of Consumer Lending, 5 weeks, $220

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

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

• Trust Basics, 16 weeks, $375 

There is still availability in the following AIB Online classes beginning December 4.  Please register as soon as possible to secure a seat in the class. 

• Commercial Lending, 16 weeks, $405

• Consumer Lending, 16 weeks, $375

• Law & Banking: Applications, 16 weeks, $425

• Managing the Bank’s Investment Portfolio*, 6 weeks, $545

• Principles of Banking, 16 weeks, $375

• Understanding Your Construction Borrower, 10 weeks, $375

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.

Honor Graduates Recognized
The 2006 session of the Southern Operations and Technology School was held November 5-10 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.  Congratulations to Lisa Dailey of Camden National Bank in Camden, AL, who is this year’s Graduate of Distinction (the student with the highest grade) and Honor Graduate (the student with the second highest grade) Angela Brown of Security Federal Savings Bank in McMinnville, TN.  A special thank you to the members of the school’s administrative committee for their hard work and dedication:  School Director Sandy Robinson of Ameris, Moultrie; John Tyson, Darby Bank & Trust Co., Vidalia; Sheila Ray, Atlanta Bancorporation; and Alice Rainey, Skylight Financial, Inc., Atlanta.

Advanced Teller Operations Seminar
GBA will host its Advanced Teller Operations seminar on Thursday, November 30, at the Holiday Inn in Cartersville with Judy Preston as the instructor.  Designed for experienced and back-up teller supervisors, branch managers and training personnel, this one day seminar will provide information on reducing teller turnover, creating an atmosphere of better morale, and improving customer service. Topics to be covered are: 

• Daily Responsibility:  Vault, negotiable items, compliance, handling difficult customers

• Security:  Opening, closing, robbery procedures

• Supervision:  New tellers, teller windows, monthly meetings, overages and shortages, disciplinary action

• Motivation:  Supplying tellers with adequate and appropriate incentives and motivators

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

GBARS Welcomes New Member
GBA Retirement Services, Inc. is pleased to welcome to the Trust Columbus Community Bank, Robert Stranger, CEO.  The programs offered through the GBA Master Pension 401(k) and 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.

Flu and Pneumonia Vaccines Covered
Effective immediately, all GBA Insurance Trust members can obtain flu and/or pneumonia vaccines at participating pharmacies for the generic co-pay of $15.  According to the Centers for Disease Control, five to 20% of the population contracts the flu virus each year.  Flu shots have been shown to reduce absenteeism by 32% - 45%; days of illness by 27%; and visits to a healthcare provider by 40%.  This program is part of our ongoing efforts with Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Georgia to improve health and reduce cost in your health insurance program.  Pharmacies participating in the program are Kroger, Medicap Pharmacy, Medicine Shoppe, Rite Aid, and Eckerd.  Not all stores in all states will provide the flu vaccine to GBAIT members so members should check with individual stores to verify their participation in the program, availability of the vaccine, and to determine whether they will be administering shots by appointment or through scheduled clinics.  Members simply present their GBAIT member ID card and the claims will be billed by the pharmacist electronically just like any other prescription drug claim.  Please note that Flu Mist is not part of the program.  Please call our customer service center at (877) 380-0193 with questions.

2007 Holiday Decals Hot Off the Press
The 2007 Holiday Decals have arrived. Those who are on our standing order list should have received their order this week. The window decals not only provide a professional appearance but also contain the 10 holiday closings recognized by the Federal Reserve Bank in accordance with FDIC rules.   If you are not currently on our standing order list and would like to receive a set, please call quickly; we have sold out over the last 4 years.  To order, please call GBA’s Kenyetta Parks at (404) 420-2035.

Trust and Investment Management Services
Reliance Trust Company, a subsidiary of the privately held Reliance Financial Corporation, is one of the largest independent trust companies in the country with more than $30 billion in assets under management. Headquartered in Atlanta and a longtime Strategic Partner of the GBA, Reliance is a leading provider of financial services to individuals, corporate, and institutional clients worldwide.  Reliance offers a full array of personalized financial services that can benefit your bank by adding fee based revenues through financial advisory services. This includes directors and bank employees as well as its individual and business customers. Services include:

• Wealth Management and Personal Advisory Services

• Separate Account Management

• Money Manager Consulting

• Trust and Fiduciary Services

• Financial, Estate, and Tax Planning

• Retirement Plans and Investments

• Outsourcing Services to Financial Intermediaries 

For more information, contact Reliance’s Dan Davis at (404) 965-7287 or GBA’s Chad Wilson at (404) 420-2022.

Stored Value Card Program
PRE Holdings, a GBA Strategic Partner, is a leading provider of prepaid products such as wireless, long distance, gift cards, music and gaming, and the best in class prepaid debit card, the Mio Money Prepaid MasterCard.  The Mio Money Prepaid MasterCard is a re-loadable card that works just like a bank debit or credit card, the only difference is that it is prepaid.  No bank account or credit check is needed, and the consumer can only spend the amount they load on their card.  The Mio Card was designed based on extensive consumer research with more product features than any other stored value card in the market.  GBA member banks have the opportunity to gain increased revenue from the initial sale and load of the card in addition to the repeat cash loads with no investment required.  For more information, contact PRE Holding’s Mike Wells at (770) 289-6547 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:

Latest Bank to Link
Welcome to One Georgia Bank, Atlanta, Chuck Lewis, CEO, as the latest bank to link to GBA’s website.  Please call Lydia Thomas at (404) 420-2039 when your bank is ready to link.

Congratulations, Mandy
GBA's Director of Retirement Services, Mandy Richards, was recognized at a recent staff appreciation event for her ninth anniversary working with GBA.  Please join us in congratulating Mandy on her years of dedicated service.  Mandy is shown in the photo on the right receiving her award from GBA President, Joe Brannen.

Associate Member Receives Award
Congratulations to Porter Keadle Moore, LLP for being the latest recipient of the Georgia Psychological Association's Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award.  The award was created to recognize organizations that understand the link between health and well-being and organizational performance and have implemented a variety of workplace practices in an active effort to create a positive work environment.

Atlanta - Rockbridge Commercial Bank Congratulations to CEO Lauch McKinnon, officers, directors and staff on the bank’s recent opening. Clarkesville - Southern Bank & Trust Barbara Pittman has been named Vice President and Security Officer and Tammie Gerrin has been promoted to Assistant Vice President, Manager of Bank Operations. Cordele - PlantersFirst Congratulations to Vice President Thelma Ruth Boykin on attaining 50 years of service to the banking industry. Dallas - First Choice Community Bank, I.O. John Hall has joined the bank as Chief Executive Officer; Kathy Hulsey as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; and Steve Chatham as Executive Vice President.  Note: the proposed bank is currently operating as F&M Bank, Paulding Division Loan Production Office (headquartered in Senoia). Gainesville - GB&T Bancshares, Inc. Melissa Massey has been promoted to Applications Systems Administrator and Jennifer Justus to Deposit Applications Systems Administrator. Hinesville - The Heritage Bank Congratulations to Senior Vice President Barbara Smith on being named one of the 25 Most Powerful Women in Banking by U.S. Banker Magazine.	Massey	Justus
	Smith

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