Demarest to Speak at CEO Conference
Registrations are coming in at a steady pace for the President/CEO Conference slated for October 7-9 at The Lodge and Spa at Callaway Gardens.  One of GBA’s favorite speakers, Elaine Demarest, President of Demarest Strategy Group, Hilton Head Island, SC, will be on hand to share her thoughts on how Georgia banks are choosing their paths for growth.  Elaine will focus on fresh trends, statistics and the new realities on your ability to execute acquisitions, form healthy de novo banks, and discuss some of the factors you need to consider before expanding outside your market.  You’ll also get a glimpse of the changing mix of competitors, the state’s demographic landscape, and the impact of the real estate slowdown on your growth potential.  To register for this event, please click here.  With questions, please contact GBA’s Susie McGehee at (404) 420-2010.

Some Georgia Banks Increase IOLTA Account Rate
More than 25 Georgia banks have announced they will pay a higher interest rate on IOLTA accounts, the accounts in which lawyers hold client funds.  By order of the Supreme Court of Georgia, the interest on these lawyer trust accounts is collected by the Georgia Bar Foundation, a charity that grants awards throughout Georgia to help the underprivileged with their legal problems.  Most banks have agreed to pay 65 percent of the Federal Funds Rate on account balances of $100,000 or more, which amounts to a new interest rate on these accounts of 3.41 percent, compared with the previous average rates varying from .5 percent to 1.5 percent.  One bank is paying 65 percent of their bank's prime rate.  These IOLTA funds typically support a wide range of law-related organizations including Atlanta Legal Aid, Georgia Legal Services, Georgia Law Center for the Homeless, The Georgia Justice Project, The BASICS Program and many women shelters throughout the state.  The funds also are used to provide education to school children and adults about our form of government through the Carl Vinson Institute at the University of Georgia.  "Georgia banks’ decisions to increase interest rates on these accounts demonstrates their commitment and concern for the less fortunate in our State," said Chief Justice Leah Sears of the Supreme Court of Georgia.  "Their generosity will have a tremendous impact on the Bar Foundation's ability to support services for poor and vulnerable Georgians.  I commend these banks for taking the lead on this important issue."  "We hope this is the beginning of all Georgia banks paying higher rates on these accounts," said Georgia Bar Foundation President Rudolph Patterson who is also managing partner with Westmoreland, Patterson, Moseley & Hinson, LLP, in Macon.  "The idea is for the bank to treat its lawyer customers the same way it treats its other customers.  So a $100,000 balance in a lawyer trust account should receive the same interest rate as the bank pays on non-lawyer accounts with similar balances.  By volunteering to pay this comparable rate, these banks are setting an example that we hope all Georgia banks will follow."  Patterson added, "Already we are seeing great interest in this among Georgia lawyers."  A complete list of participating banks will soon appear on the State Bar of Georgia’s website.

SOTS Scheduled for October
GBA’s Southern Operations and Technology School will be held October 21-26 at the University of Georgia.  As a resource for focused training in banking technology and operations, the School is the premier provider in the Southeast and one of only a few in the country.  The two-year program covers four areas: compliance, risk management, technology, and general management.  To request a brochure or to register, please call GBA’s Marybeth Jones at (404) 420-2032.

Group Meetings Begin Next Month
As the summer is drawing to a close, Georgia bankers are looking forward to GBA’s annual Group Meetings scheduled to begin the second week of September.  This series of meetings will start with Group 7 bankers gathering for dinner on Wednesday, September 12, at the Cartersville Country Club.  On Thursday, September 13, Group 10 bankers will meet at Athens Country Club for lunch and Group 9 bankers will gather that evening at Chattahoochee Country Club in Gainesville.  Group 5 bankers get together for lunch on Friday, September 14, at Villa Christina in Atlanta.  Group Meetings are informative and provide an excellent opportunity for visiting with other bankers in your area.  With questions about your Group Meeting, please contact GBA’s Susie McGehee at (404) 420-2010.

Non-Accelerated Sarbanes-Oxley Seminar Scheduled for August 28
Sarbanes Oxley is here to stay and non-accelerated filers are required to complete management’s assessment of the control environment by December 31, 2007.  To help you with this monumental task, GBA will host Sarbanes Oxley 404: A How-To For Non-Accelerated Filers on Tuesday, August 28, at the Macon Ramada Plaza.  The registration fee is $195 per person and Jennifer Burke with Crowe Chizek and Company, LLC, Atlanta, will be the speaker.  This one-day seminar will provide you with an understanding of the requirements of Sarbanes Oxley 404, best practices for compliance, and expectations of external auditors.  You will also learn about recent developments and guidance from the SEC and PCAOB, and the impact of this guidance on SOX compliance.  With questions, please call GBA’s Courtenay Pope at (404) 420-2015 or Susie McGehee at (404) 420-2010.

Bank Counsel Section Board Meets to Plan Conference
The Board of the Bank Counsel Section met this week to finalize plans for the annual Bank Counsel Conference that will be held concurrently with the President/CEO Conference at the fabulous new Lodge and Spa at Callaway Gardens.  Steve Dunlevie with Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC, chairs the Bank Counsel Board.  Among the sessions planned for the conference with be one session dealing with loan participations and problem loan workouts and another session covering a series of legal cases which would be of interest to any attorney with a bank as a client.  Another session will deal with professionalism and continuing legal education credits will be granted for these sessions by the State Bar of Georgia.  The bank lawyers will attend several sessions along with the bankers attending the President/CEO Conference.  Everyone will hear from U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss, economist Donald Ratajczak and have an interactive discussion with a panel of top bank regulators from the Department of Banking and Finance, the FDIC, the OCC and the Federal Reserve.  Everyone will also attend the session led by Elaine Demarest mentioned above.  GBA has reserved a block of rooms at The Lodge and Spa at a special rate of $205 per night for single or double occupancy.  To reserve your room, please contact the hotel directly at (800) 225-5292.  Be sure to tell them you are with the Georgia Bankers Association.  The GBA room block for the conference will expire on Friday, September 7.  With questions, please contact GBA’s Susie McGehee at (404) 420-2010.

Mark Your Calendar
GBA’s Marketing Conference is scheduled for November 1-2 at the King & Prince Beach and Golf Resort on St. Simons Island.  The Marketing Committee is currently finalizing the agenda and the brochure and registration form will soon be available.  To request a brochure, please contact GBA’s Marybeth Jones at (404) 420-2032.

Register for GBA Webinars Today
Just a reminder that GBA will offer the webinars listed below during the week of August 6.  Webinars offer you the opportunity and convenience of having a seminar at your bank.  All you need is a computer, Internet access and a telephone.  All webinars are live and allow time throughout for questions and answers.  The registration fee of $250 allows you access to one website “seat,” one telephone site license and all hand out materials.  If you are unable to attend the webinar but would like to have this information for training purposes, you may also purchase an audio CD, handout materials and a password to view the information online.  Complete details about the webinar, topics being covered and information about the presenters can be found on GBA’s Calendar of Events.  With questions, please call GBA’s Courtenay Pope at (404) 420-2015.

• 2007 HMDA - Frequently Asked Questions – August 6

• The Top 20 Security Mistakes that a Smart Institution NEVER Makes – August 8

• 2007 Flood Insurance Coverage Issues – August 9

• Opening New Accounts I – August 9

Summer 2007 AIB Classroom Course
AIB classes meet three hours each week for 2 to 15 weeks and are held at a local financial institution.  If you would like to see a specific AIB course offered in your area or if you have questions about AIB classroom courses, please call GBA’s Alison Moreau at (404) 420-2034.  The following AIB classroom course starts on August 13:  Law & Banking: Principles taught by Cassie Parker, McIntosh State Bank; 10 weeks, $195; text $69.

Register Today for AIB Online Courses
There will be a break in AIB Online classes August 27^th and September 3^rd.  AIB Online classes will resume September 17^th.  Please note, the AIB IRA Online Institute course is offered September 10^th.  This class is only offered twice a year and is an Institute of Certified Bankers approved educational program for candidates for the Certified IRA Services Professional (CISP) Description.  Please register two weeks in advance to secure a seat in the class.  AIB online 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 Software.)  There is still LIMITED availability in the following AIB Online classes beginning the week of August 20.  Please register as soon as possible to secure a seat in the class.

• ABA Online Review Course for the CTFA Exam (open enrollment), 12 weeks, $795

• ABA Online Review Course for the CRCM Exam, 8 weeks, $675

• Consumer Lending, 16 weeks, $385

• Principles of Banking, 16 weeks, $385

• Today's Teller: Developing Basic Skills* (open enrollment), 8 weeks, $285

Please see the AIB Online Course Schedule for a complete listing or call GBA’s Alison Moreau at (404) 420-2034 with questions.

Welcome New Participant
The GBA Insurance Trust, Inc. Board of Directors welcomes to the Trust Arbor Organizing Group, LLC, Suwanee, Terry Evans, CEO.  This company joins more than 290 community banks and associate members in this unmatched member benefit.  Please call GBA’s Susan Kelley at (404) 420-2017 for details.

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.

Bond and D&O Insurance	Human Resources Solutions
Checking Club Programs	Internet Loan Closing Program
CRM	Job Bank
Discounted Check Program	Marketing
Discounted Local & Long Distance Program	Non-Qualified Executive Benefits (BOLI)
Financial Industry Pre-Employment Assessments	Pledging Pool Program
FinCrime	Record Retention Guide
Financial Marketing Solutions (FMS)	Senior Housing Crime Prevention Foundation
Georgia Financial Directory	Strunk & Associates, L.P.
Georgia Laws Code Book	Thumbprint Signature Program
Holiday Decals	Trust and Investment Services

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:

Atlanta - The Buckhead Community Bank Cheryl Alperin Beer has joined the bank's Small Business Administration department. Atlanta - Equifax Rajib Roy has joined the company as President of Equifax Enabling Technologies. Atlanta - Safe Systems, Inc. Darren Bridges has been named President. Augusta - Georgia Bank & Trust Company Chum Balk, Vice President of Mortgage Operations, has been named Secretary-Treasurer of the Mortgage Bankers Association of Georgia. Dallas - First Choice Community Bank Thomas L. Bradbury has joined the bank's Board of Directors as well as the Board of Directors of the bank's holding company, FMCB Holdings, Inc. Johns Creek - Century Security Bank Terri Karr has joined the bank as Senior Vice President for Small Business Administration Lending. Roswell - Bank of North Georgia Paula G. Owens has joined the bank as Senior Vice President and Community Executive.

Beer Bradbury

Bridges Owens

Balk

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