gabankers.com                                Calendar of Events     I    Government Relations     I     Education     I     Products & Services     I     Volunteers    

September 1, 2006

Group Meetings Begin Next Week
September is here and GBA will be “on the road again” beginning next week as we continue our longstanding tradition of holding ten Group Meetings throughout the month. On Wednesday, the meetings begin with a luncheon for Group 10 bankers at Athens Country Club.  That evening, Group 9 bankers will gather at the Chattahoochee Country Club in Gainesville for a reception and dinner.  On Thursday, Group 7 bankers will meet for an evening reception and dinner at the Cartersville Country Club.  And on Friday, Group 5 bankers will have lunch together at Villa Christina.  During the second week of September, we will be in Perry, Albany, Macon and LaGrange.  The meetings for Group 2 in Albany and Group 4 in LaGrange will follow the same format as the previous week's meetings.  We begin with a cocktail reception at 5:00 p.m. followed by some brief remarks from your Group Chair, GBA’s Chairman, Bobby Carmichael, Chairman, President & CEO at Commercial Bank & Trust in LaGrange, and the GBA staff.  We will conclude the evening with a buffet dinner at 6:45 p.m.  Group 3 and Group 6 in Perry and Macon will be luncheon meetings. These two meetings begin with a reception at 11:30 a.m. with lunch being served at noon.  The program will immediately follow lunch with adjournment around 1:30 p.m.  Meetings for Group 8 in Valdosta and Group 1 in Statesboro are September 27 and 28 receptions and dinners.  Please click here for directions if you are unfamiliar with your meeting site.  If you have any questions, please call GBA’s Susie McGehee at (404) 420-2010.  We look forward to seeing you at your Group Meeting.

Hosted Event Planned at President/CEO and Bank Counsel Conferences
Registrations are coming in at a steady pace for the President/CEO and Bank Counsel Conferences.  The Community Bankers Committee and the Bank Counsel Section have both planned excellent programs that will provide timely information at a great location.  Our guaranteed room block expires September 12 so make your reservations today by calling The Hyatt Regency, Savannah directly at (912) 238-1234.  Once again, a hosted event has been scheduled that you won’t want to miss.  On Monday evening, October 9, GBA past chair Tom Wiley, President and CEO, and the officers and directors of Flag Bank in Atlanta, will host a Low-Country Boil and Oyster Roast at Old Fort Jackson from 6:45 p.m. to 10 p.m.  Please call GBA’s Susie McGehee at (404) 420-2010 with questions about either conference.  Register now to take advantage of this great opportunity to network with your colleagues.

ABA Survey: Consumers Trust Banks to Guard Their Identity More Than Others
As the threat of identity theft worries consumers and Congress, banks’ diligence in protecting personal information continues to pay dividends.  By a ratio of 6-to-1, consumers trust banks more than other institutions when it comes to their personal records, according to a new survey by the American Bankers Association.  Sixty-six percent of consumers polled identified banks as the most trustworthy with their personal information. In a distant second place, government agencies received 11 percent of the vote, and universities were third with 10 percent.  Retailers and data brokers garnered 3 percent and 2 percent, respectively.  Seven percent of respondents couldn’t decide.  Unlike other industries, banks have a strict regulatory system in place to prevent data breaches and notify customers if one occurs that could put their identity at risk.  “Banks are constantly working to stay one step ahead of some very enterprising criminals,” said ABA President and CEO Ed Yingling.

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

• Ricky Nessmith, CEO, Farmers & Merchants Bank, Statesboro

• John Poelker, CEO, The Poelker Consultancy, Inc., Atlanta

• Aubrey Motz, CEO, Financial Supermarkets, Inc., Cornelia

• Mary Beth Burnette, President, Church Street Real Estate Associates, Inc., Jasper

The officers, directors and staff of First National Bank of Griffin, Chuck Copeland, CEO, have contributed to the GBA Political Education Fund.  Thanks for your support.  For information, please call Elizabeth Chandler at (404) 420-2027.

Georgia BankPAC Golf Classic
Leadership GBA will host its sixth annual Georgia BankPAC Classic at Kinderlou Forest Golf Club in Valdosta on October 25.  The two-man scramble tournament is sure to be a fun and challenging event for everyone.  It’s also a great opportunity to invite your legislators and directors to meet and play golf with your colleagues in the banking industry.  Registration is $300 per team or $150 per person, and the proceeds will be donated to the GBA StatePAC.  Please call GBA’s Susie McGehee at (404) 420-2010 with questions about the tournament.  Register now for a great time and a chance to win the Georgia BankPAC Trophy.

Fall AIB Classroom Courses
Here are the AIB classroom courses for Fall 2006.  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.

• Analyzing Financial Statements, taught by Peter Faser of Flag Bank, Norcross.
  Beginning September 11, 10 weeks, $195, text $69

• Principles of Banking, taught by Randy Blalock, The Peoples Bank, Winder.
  Beginning September 11, 10 weeks, $105, text $60

• Principles of Banking taught by Denny Donegan at Georgia Bank & Trust, Calhoun.
  Beginning September 11, 10 weeks, $195, text $60

• General Accounting taught by Denny Donegan at First Bank of Dalton.
  Beginning September 12, 15 weeks, $295, text $83

• Law and Banking: Principles, taught by Todd Pence of Northwest Georgia Bank, Ringgold.
  Beginning September 12, 10 weeks, $195, text $65

• Marketing Financial Services, taught by Dale Morrissey of First Cherokee State Bank, Canton.
  Beginning September 13, 10 weeks, $195, text $65

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

• Consumer Lending taught by Denny Donegan at Northside Bank, Adairsville.
  Beginning September 21, 10 weeks, $195, text $75

• Principles of Banking, taught by Jeff Kovach of Northwest Georgia Bank, Ringgold.
  Beginning September 28, 10 weeks, $195, text $60

Register Today for AIB Online Courses
Just a reminder that the following AIB online classes begin on September 25.  Please register no later than two weeks ahead of time to secure a seat in the class.

• Analyzing Bank Performance, 7 weeks, $695

• General Accounting, 16 weeks, $475

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

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

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

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 Alison Moreau at (404) 420-2034.

Bank Profitability Surpasses Previous Records
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has reported commercial banks and savings institutions reported net income of $38.1 billion for the second quarter of 2006, surpassing the previous quarterly earnings record set in the first quarter. This is the fifth time in the last six quarters that industry earnings have set a new record. FDIC officials attributed the new quarterly record to strong commercial and consumer loan demand that sparked an increase in net interest income, which outweighed the effects of rising interest rates and narrower spreads between short- and long-term interest rates. The industry's second-quarter profits represent a 3.2 percent increase over first-quarter performance and a 10.9 percent improvement over the same period in 2005.  Among the major findings:

The end of the second quarter also marked a period of more than two years without the failure of an FDIC-insured institution. The last failure occurred on June 25, 2004. This is the longest interval without an insured institution failure in the FDIC's 73-year history. The FDIC also said that the deposit insurance fund reserve ratio remained unchanged in the second quarter as insured deposit growth slowed. "We were delighted to see the reserve ratio remained virtually stable during the quarter which should allow the FDIC to set deposit insurance premiums at a reasonable level," said GBA President Joe Brannen.  Please click here to see the entire earnings report.

A New Approach to Streamlining Your Bank Account-Opening Process
SEDOA Systems, a GBA Strategic Partner, 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 bank’s 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, please contact Glen Sloan at (770) 447-8767.

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:

Alpharetta - Alpha Bank & Trust Congratulations to Joe Briner, CEO, directors and staff on the bank's recent groundbreakings in Alpharetta and Marietta. Athens - Bank of Athens Mike McCurley has joined the bank as Vice President. Atlanta - Bank of North Georgia Leah Faircloth has joined the bank as Assistant Vice President and Commercial Lender. Cartersville - Unity National Bank Rick Hughes has joined the bank as Vice President, Commercial Loan Officer. Cordele - PlantersFIRST Debra B. Hall has been elected to the bank's Board of Directors.  Debra will also serve as President of the Fitzgerald branch. Cornelia - Community Bankshares, Inc. Wesley A. Dodd, Jr. has been named Chief Financial Officer to replace Harry Stephens who retired on August 31. Dublin - Morris State Bank Spencer Mullis has been promoted to President and Chief Executive Officer. Melton E. Tyson will remain as Vice Chairman. Ashlee Torpee has been promoted Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Glennville - First Citizens Bank Stephanie Moody has been named Vice President and Operations Officer. Savannah - The Savannah Bank, N.A. Lydia Barton has joined the bank as Vice President. Smyrna - Community Bank of the South Eric Walker has joined the bank as Commercial Lending Officer. Woodstock - CreekSide Bank Robert Hankins has joined the bank as Executive Vice President and Senior Lending Officer.

McCurley Dodd Barton

Faircloth Stephens Walker

Hughes Moody Hankins