Compliance Peer Group Meeting Slated
The second meeting of GBA's Compliance Peer Group is scheduled for Tuesday, November 14, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Macon.  Following the popular format of the first peer group meeting, participants will receive training from Steve Moore of Bank Compliance Services on the latest information on flood requirements, BSA/AML compliance and the regulations recently adopted by the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance.  GBA President Joe Brannen will give a brief update on legislative issues we expect to encounter in the 2007 session of the General Assembly and in the Congress.  However, most of the meeting time will be reserved for peer group discussion.  Louvera Walden of Ameris Bancorp. in Moultrie chairs the Compliance Peer Group.  We encourage you to email Louvera with suggestions for Peer Group Topics.  Pre-registration is required to attend and the cost to participate is only $25 per person.  With questions, please call GBA's Marybeth Jones at (404) 420-2032.  Click here to register for the session.

Online Bidding to Begin November 15
In a recent Bulletin, we told about the Georgia Office of Treasury and Fiscal Services (“OTFS”) plan to convert the current paper-based bid process for state deposits to an online system.  The OTFS has notified us that the startup date has been set for November 15.  Banks have been sent signup material and we understand more Georgia banks have expressed interest in the program than in any of the other states where similar programs operate.  For additional information, including a bidder training schedule, please email Rasheed Dawodu at the OTFS.

FDIC Asked to Extend ILC Moratorium
In last week’s e-Bulletin, GBA Chairman Bobby Carmichael reported that FDIC Chairman Sheila Bair told attendees at the ABA annual convention that she planned for the FDIC moratorium on approving new Industrial Loan Companies to expire as planned in January.  However, House Financial Services Committee Ranking Member Barney Frank (D-MA) and Rep. Paul Gillmor (R-OH) have said they will ask the FDIC to extend its current moratorium.  Rep. Frank said essentially the same thing GBA did in our comment letter to the FDIC that the moratorium’s scheduled January expiration would not give Congress enough time to address the ILC issue, and that an extension of the moratorium would be appropriate.  Hopefully FDIC will respond favorably to these requests.  Reps. Gillmor and Frank also introduced H.R. 5746 to halt the approvals.  Our thanks to Georgia congressmen Jim Marshall and Nathan Deal for cosponsoring the bill.

Georgia Deposit Growth Remains Strong
The FDIC recently released the annual June 30 Summary of Deposits information for all banks in the country.  The report shows banks operating in Georgia continue to grow faster than most of your peers elsewhere.  Here’s a chart comparing 2005 and 2006:

In the report accompanying the release of the data, FDIC reported the U.S. banking industry shrunk in number of institutions by 1%.  Nationally, deposits grew by 8.9% and office growth increased 2.9%.

GBA BankPAC Update
Since the last Bulletin, the following banks have contributed to the GBA StatePAC:

• Joe Briner, CEO, Alpha Bank & Trust, Alpharetta

• Don Howard, CEO, Bank of North Georgia, Alpharetta

• Pete Burr, CEO, Community Bank & Trust, Cornelia

• Larry Stevenson, CEO, Colony Bank of Fitzgerald

• Emory Lewis, CEO, First Georgia Community Bank, Jackson

• Toby Goodlett, Georgia Division Executive, First Citizens Bank and Trust, Toccoa

• Wayne Herringdine, President, Bank of Wrightsville

Thank you for your support.  For information, please call Elizabeth Chandler at (404) 420-2027.  Click here for this week’s BankPAC Update.

New Contact Banker Program
Many bankers throughout Georgia recently received information from the American Bankers Association (ABA) regarding their new Direct Contact Bankers Program.  If you previously participated in the ABA’s grassroots efforts, you should have been notified of the new program and asked to enroll.  We encourage you to do so in addition to participating in the grassroots efforts of the GBA.  The coming session of Congress could be extremely busy for the banking industry, and the involvement of individual bankers with knowledge of the significant issues we face is crucial.  If you are willing to participate, please contact GBA’s Elizabeth Chandler at (404) 420-2027.

Georgia BankPAC Classic a Success
Leadership GBA’s Sixth Annual Georgia BankPAC Classic was a huge success with over 80 bankers and associate members in attendance.  The two-man scramble tournament was held on October 25 at Kinderlou Forest Golf Club in Valdosta.  “We were thrilled with the increase in attendance and sponsors this year.   Because of everyone’s support, we will definitely be able to increase our contribution to the Georgia BankPAC,” said Jay Forrester, Leadership GBA President and Group Vice President at Georgia Bank & Trust Company in Augusta.  Tournament winners shown at right were Bruce Bartholomew and Kelly Yielding of McIntosh State Bank in Jackson.  GBA BankPAC Chairman George Butler, President and CEO of The First National Bank of Barnesville, said, “Increased participation in the BankPAC is a major goal of the Association.  Leadership GBA has welcomed this challenge and continues to play a key role in our success.”  A special thank you to the sponsors who helped make the tournament a success.  Click here for scenes from the 2006 BankPAC Golf Classic.

Analyzing Personal Financial Statements & Tax Returns Seminar
GBA will host its Analyzing Personal Financial Statements & Tax Returns seminar on Wednesday, November 15, at the Crowne Plaza in Macon with Mike Allen, President and CEO of Georgia Trust Bank in Buford, as the instructor.  Designed for credit analysts, branch managers, consumer lenders and entry level commercial lenders, this one day seminar will cover step-by-step the process of analyzing personal financial statements and tax returns. Topics to be covered are:

• Identifying the borrower’s ability to repay your loan from a cash flow analysis

• Identifying new cross-selling opportunities

• Spotting fraudulent tax returns

• Developing a pattern of logical, analytical thinking

• Examining a personal tax return for hidden information

• Developing an adjusted net worth

• Making valid credit decisions based on careful analysis

• Identifying if income is continuing, verifiable, and recurrent

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

Register Today for AIB Online Courses
Following is a preview of upcoming December online courses:

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

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

• Commercial Lending, 16 weeks, $405 (Dec. 4)

• Consumer Lending, 16 weeks, $375 (Dec. 4)

• 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: Applications, 16 weeks, $425 (Dec. 4)

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

• Managing the Bank’s Investment Portfolio*, 6 weeks, $545 (Dec. 4)

• Principles of Banking, 16 weeks, $375 (Dec. 4)

• 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)

• Understanding Your Construction Borrower, 10 weeks, $375 (Dec. 4)

There is still availability in the following AIB Online classes beginning November 20.  Please register as soon as possible to secure a seat in the class.

• Banking Today, 5 weeks, $275

• General Accounting, 16 weeks, $475

• Money & Banking, 16 weeks, $375

• Supervisor Certificate, 16 weeks, $695

• Trust Operations, 15 weeks, $375

These courses are instructor-facilitated with weekly assignments.  With a computer, printer and Internet access, the courses can be taken from the comfort of your home or the convenience of your office. (Classes with an asterisk * require Microsoft Excel.)  Please see the AIB Online Fall 2006 Schedule for a complete listing or call GBA’s Alison Moreau at (404) 420-2034.

Third Quarter Investment Returns
Third quarter was a big improvement in the stock market.  GBA Retirement Services, Inc. is pleased that all five Lifestyles Portfolios and most of the individual mutual funds in the Trust have positive year-to-date returns as of September 30, 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. Please call Mandy Richards at (404) 420-2025 for help with designing a retirement plan for your bank.

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 and 401(k) Profit Sharing Trust provide flexibility to meet the needs of any bank or associate member who may be looking to add or change 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 call Mandy Richards at (404) 420-2025 for information on how GBA can help design a retirement plan for your bank.

Status of Important Banking Cases
Our thanks to the Office of the General Counsel of the American Bankers Association for making available the newest edition of the Status of Important Banking Cases to the members of our Bank Counsel Section.  This monthly report gives bank attorneys up to date information on litigation involving banks across the country.  This report is another member benefit for the attorneys in GBA's Bank Counsel Section.  With questions about how your bank's attorney can participate, please call GBA's Kenyetta Parks at (404) 420-2035.

Telecommunications for Your Bank
NationsLink Communications, Inc., a Valdosta, GA based company, is a converged communications provider specializing in consultative solutions with the latest technology and most competitive pricing in the industry for business customers.  NationsLink has been a GBA Strategic Partner since 1998 proudly serving approximately 50 banks.  Through NationsLink’s multi-vendor relationships, banks can be assured of an un-biased telecommunications solution.  NationsLink’s services include integrated T-1 with integrated voice and internet, PRI service, Internet T-1, basic telephone services, LAN to LAN connectivity (connecting multiple sites), teleconferencing services, calling cards, VoIP services, telephone systems (all types including VoIP systems) and data networks.  If you are looking to make a change to your telecommunications system, whether it is the service provider and/or your telephone system, NationsLink can provide your bank an un-biased solution through multi-vendor relationships.  For more information, or a free no-obligation analysis, please contact NationsLink’s Michael Woodruff at (800) 546-5875, or GBA’s Chad Wilson at (404) 420-2022.

Progressive: Bond and D&O Coverage
The ABA-sponsored insurance program underwritten by Progressive Insurance has recently been able to provide several Georgia banks with not only expansive coverage and increased benefit amounts, but significantly lower rates.  Progressive, a GBA Strategic Partner, has also developed a separate internet banking insurance program for financial institutions engaged in internet banking. The Internet Banking Protection Package is a unique insurance solution for community banks.  Two interconnected policies provide first- and third-party coverage to fill the gaps where traditional insurance policies do not extend to internet risks.  First-party protection is provided through the Enhanced Financial Institutions Bond and third-party protection via a separate and distinct policy – the Internet Banking Liability Policy.  For more information, please contact Progressive’s Robert Splawn at (800) 274-5222, ext. 37564, 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 Banks to Link
Welcome to American United Bank, Lawrenceville, Glenn Thompson, CEO, and First Citizens Bank of Georgia, I.O., Dawsonville, Charles Buckner, CEO, as the latest banks to link to GBA’s website.  Please call GBA’s Lydia Thomas at (404) 420-2039 when your bank is ready to link.

Augusta - First Bank of Georgia Lisa Hayes has been elected Assistant Vice President and Controller and Amy Sykes as Assistant Vice President and Human Resources Manager. Savannah - Darby Bank & Trust Company Our sympathies to CEO Walter Bowden on the recent death of his mother.

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