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December 28, 2007

2007 Draws to a Close
GBA members made 2007 a terrific year for the Association.  We saw record numbers of bankers attending events and participating in committee activities.  Our products such as the GBA Insurance Trust, GBA Retirement Services and our strategic partner offerings continued to be heavily used by the membership.  GBA’s success is primarily attributable to our member-driven philosophy overseen by an active and involved Board of Directors.  We know the economy, especially aspects of the real estate sector, is presenting challenges for many of our members.  We will continue to stay on top of regulatory and legislative initiatives that could hamper our members’ ability to react to changes in the market-place.  In previous Bulletins, we have pointed out the many issues we are expecting from both Congress and the General Assembly as they grapple with appropriate responses.  We encourage you to stay involved and let us know how we can best serve your needs.  Thank you for your tremendous support.

GBA Among Most Influential
Each year, James magazine conducts a survey of political opinion leaders to highlight the most influential trade associations and business groups representing their interests at the State Capitol.  Since the survey began in 2004, GBA has remained in the top 10.  Here is the list for 2007:

1. Georgia Hospital Association

2. Georgia Chamber of Commerce

3. Home Builders Association of Georgia

4. Georgia Beverage Association

5. Georgia Association of Realtors

6. Georgia Automobile Dealers Association

7. Georgia Bankers Association

8. Georgia Municipal Association

9. Georgia Dental Association/The Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals (tie)

“Recognition like this comes because of a lot of hard work among our grassroots network of bankers and the dedicated GBA staff,” said GBA Chairman Jim Williams, CEO of Citizens Bank and Trust Company in Eastman.  “We will be faced with an unprecedented number of issues in 2008, and it will be more important than ever for our members to stay connected and involved,” Jim concluded.  James magazine is among the most read publications concentrating on public policy issues in Georgia.

Legislative Reception Key Event
GBA’s annual Legislative Reception is scheduled for Wednesday, January 16, 2008, from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Georgia Aquarium.  This annual event plays a significant role in connecting the Association with legislators, statewide elected officials and other key decision makers.  “This traditional event was begun decades ago and continues to this day as one of the most anticipated events of the legislative session,” said GBA President Joe Brannen.  “It is important for our members throughout the state to participate and show our appreciation to our elected officials for their contributions to our state,” Joe said.  We have arranged for our members to register for a private tour of the Aquarium from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  Prior to these events, the GBA Board of Directors, Public Affairs Committee and BankPAC Board of Directors will meet beginning at 2:00 p.m. at the Embassy Suites Hotel, Centennial Olympic Park.  If you need hotel reservations, please call the hotel at (404) 223-2300 and be sure and let them know you are with the Georgia Bankers Association.  With questions, please call GBA’s Susie McGehee at (404) 420-2010.

FDIC Reminds Banks of Flood Insurance Due Diligence Requirements
FDIC has recently published a reminder for banks regarding flood insurance.  Institutions are responsible for ensuring that borrowers timely renew their policies.  Flood insurance premiums are not required to be escrowed if an institution does not require the escrow of other funds to cover other loan-related charges. However, FDIC reminds institutions that do not escrow flood insurance premiums to have internal controls in place to verify that borrowers are maintaining adequate flood insurance coverage for the life of the loan. Such controls include:

• Monitoring notices from the insurance carrier about when a borrower's flood insurance is due for renewal, and following up if the policy renewal is not received from the borrower;

• Commencing force placement procedures when the institution determines that required flood insurance coverage is deficient or lapsed; and

• Checking flood insurance policies to confirm that they were written for the risk zone noted in the flood determination and, if not, resolving the difference.

Georgia is Fastest Growing State East of the Rockies
The U.S. Census Bureau has estimated Georgia’s population grew by 202,670 for the year ended July 1, 2007, which caused Georgia to rank as the fifth fastest growing state in the country.  Jeffrey Humphreys, a demographer with the University of Georgia's Selig Center, said that about 94,000 people moved to Georgia from other states, and 31,000 came from abroad. The rest of the increase was due to births outnumbering deaths.  The net increase in population is more than 555 people a day and the state now has a total population of roughly 9.5 million.  Our neighboring states also recorded huge population growth.  North Carolina ranked 6^th in population increases and South Carolina ranked 10^th.  Georgia continues to be an attractive state for newcomers and this growth gives our members an opportunity to serve their needs.  The state is also expected to gain another representative in Congress when redistricting occurs after the next census.

Register Today for the Financial Risk Management Conference
The Georgia Bankers Association’s Financial Risk Management Conference has a history of providing outstanding speakers and timely topics related to the asset/liability arena. This year’s program follows that tradition by presenting sessions of interest to bankers who manage daily financial risk management challenges within their banks.  The conference, which will be January 30-31 at the Cobb Galleria Center in Atlanta, will provide information and solutions to asset/liability management related issues.  This year’s presenters include:

• Dr. Roger Tutterow of Mercer University with the regional economic outlook

• Rick Trent of Morgan Keegan & Co., Inc. with a session on strategies for investment portfolio management

• Karl Nelson with The Bankers Bank with a session on liquidity management and funding strategies

• Christopher Marinac of FIG Partners, LLC with a 2008 outlook for community banks

• Mike Odom of Great Oaks Advisors, LLC moderating a regulatory update and ALCO issues panel discussion

• Dr. William F. Staats of LSU’s Graduate School of Banking with a national economic outlook

Please click here to register or call GBA’s Marybeth Jones at (404) 420-2032 with questions.

Compliance Peer Group Meeting Scheduled
The next Compliance Peer Group meeting is scheduled for January 22, 2008, at the Macon Ramada Plaza.  The meeting agenda and registration form will be emailed at the beginning of January.  If you would like to be added to the peer group, please email GBA’s Marybeth Jones.

Operations and Technology Conference Scheduled
The 2007-2008 Operations and Technology Committee has planned an excellent program for this year’s conference which is scheduled for March 5-6, 2008 at the Cobb Galleria Center in Atlanta.  Our guaranteed room block at the Renaissance Waverly Hotel expires February 5, 2008 so make your reservations today by calling the hotel directly at (770) 953-4500.  Please call GBA’s Marybeth Jones at (404) 420-2032 with questions or to register.

Mark Your Calendar
The HR Professionals Institute is scheduled for March 19-21, 2008 at the Savannah Riverfront Marriott.  The 2007-2008 HR Committee has put together an exciting agenda that you don’t won’t to miss!  The brochure will be mailed at the beginning of January.  Please call GBA’s Marybeth Jones at (404) 420-2032 with questions or to request a brochure.

Few Spots Remain in the Georgia Banking School Class of 2011
The deadline for the Georgia Banking School “Early Bird” discount is December 31.  You may still take advantage of the $125 savings by registering for the Class of 2011 now.  The Georgia Banking School, a three-year resident and home study program, meets in 2009 at the University of Georgia May 4-9.  We can only accommodate 70 students in the first year class and 13 spots remain available.  Please call GBA’s Marybeth Jones at (404) 420-2032 for details and registration information.

Register for GBA Webinars Today
Just a reminder that GBA will offer the following webinars during the week of January 14^th.  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 the information for training purposes, you may purchase an audio CD, handout materials and a password to view the information online.  Complete details about the webinar can be found on GBA’s Calendar of Events at www.gabankers.com.  With questions, please call GBA’s Courtenay Pope at (404) 420-2015.

• Health Savings Accounts – Jan. 15, 2008

• Notary Public – Jan. 16, 2008

• IRA Update – Jan. 17, 2008

• Loan Doc 101, Part 1: The Basics: Obtaining Enforceable Liens Under UCC9 – Jan. 18, 2008

AIB Classroom Courses
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.  Here are two upcoming AIB classroom courses for Winter 2008:

• Law & Banking:  Applications taught by Cassie Parker of McIntosh State Bank, McDonough
  Beginning January 14, 10 weeks, $195, text $69

• Principles of Banking taught by Jeff Kovach of Northwest Georgia Bank, Ringgold
  Beginning January 24, 10 weeks, $195, text $65

Register Today for AIB Online Courses
Following are the AIB online classes available in early to mid-January 2008.  These courses are instructor-facilitated with weekly assignments and can be taken from the comfort of your home or the convenience of your office.  (Classes with an asterisk * require Microsoft Excel Software.) 

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

• Analyzing Bank Performance, 7 weeks, $745, (January 15)

• Analyzing Financial Statements, 16 weeks, $485, (January 15)

• Consumer Lending, 16 weeks, $385, (January 21)

• General Accounting*, 16 weeks, $485, (January 15)

• Introduction to Mortgage Lending, 16 weeks, $385, (January 21)

• Law & Banking:  Applications, 16 weeks, $435, (January 21)

• Principles of Banking Accelerated, 10 weeks, $315, (January 21)

• Today's Teller: Developing Basic Skills* (open enrollment), 8 weeks, $295

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

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.  Proudly serving approximately 50 banks, NationsLink has been a GBA Strategic Partner since 1998.  Through NationsLink’s multi-vendor relationships, banks can be assured of an un-biased telecommunica-tions 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 for 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.

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.

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