GBA First Legislative Update of the Session Published
Please click here to view the first Legislative Update of 2007 we are publishing today.  Similar updates will be prepared each week which the General Assembly is in session.  The following issues are covered in this week's update.

• Governor, Constitutional Officers Take Oaths

• Legislature Convenes

• Legislative Reception Attracts Crowds of Bankers and Public Officials

• GBA Board, Public Affairs and BankPAC Committees Meet

• Session Expected to be Busy - GBA Supporting Four Issues So Far

  • Tax Correction/Amendment

  • FHLB Letters of Credit

  • Garnishment Service

  • Banking Department Housekeeping Bill

• Other Bills of Interest

  • Credit Report File Freeze

  • ATM Emergency PIN

  • Title Pawn Lending

The Georgia Bankers Association is already following a number of bills introduced in the 2007 session of the General Assembly and we update the Government Relations area of our website daily.  Please check this area frequently so you will be informed about issues affecting your industry.  Please click here to see the bills currently on our watch list.

Realtors’ Anti-Competition Bill Introduced
Rep. Paul Kanjorski (D-PA) introduced has introduced H.R. 111, legislation that would permanently ban national banks from engaging in real estate brokerage and management services.  We were disappointed to see that Georgia Rep. Jim Marshall (D-Macon) was one of the original 61 cosponsors of the bill.  Rep. David Scott (D-Atlanta) and Rep. Sanford Bishop have since signed on as cosponsors.  If you are a constituent of either of these representatives, he needs to hear from you. 

Debt Cancellation Clarification
The Department of Banking & Finance is amending their policy statement regarding GAP Debt Cancellation Contracts and Debt Suspension Agreements to permit financial institutions to offer single payment coverage without providing a monthly payment product alternative to consumers.   Other debt cancellation and debt suspension products, such as those providing life or disability coverage, would be unaffected by this change and would remain subject to the provisions of their Policy Statement.  The Department will be sending further information to financial institutions soon.

Can You Repeat That?
The Georgia Supreme Court asked the parties involved in a suit involving fees on gift cards to appear again to repeat the oral arguments they presented last October.  Former Georgia Governor Roy Barnes has sued mall owner, Simon Property Group, over the fees charged on gift cards issued for use in mall stores.  On Monday of this week, Barnes again argued that any amounts left on gift cards should be considered unclaimed property and escheated to the State instead of consumed by fees.  Stay tuned for the Court’s ruling.

Military Restriction Creates Problems
We have told you about the last minute addition to last year’s Defense Authorization bill that imposed a 36 percent rate cap, inclusive of penalties and fees, on loans offered to active-duty military personnel and their dependents.  Several of our members near military installations or who bank service members have expressed concern about the unintended consequences the bill is causing.  We will be preparing a comment letter to the Department of Defense (DoD) in the next few days and will share it with you.  Bankers affected by the new rule will want to file their own comment letter to show the DoD how far reaching the legislation has become. Please be looking for that communication.

Financial Risk Management Conference Slated for March
GBA’s Financial Risk Management Conference is scheduled for March 8-9, 2007, at Cobb Galleria in Atlanta.  Thanks to Laura Cross, Committee Chair and President/CEO of Oglethorpe Bank in Brunswick, and the other members of the Asset/Liability Management Committee for coordinating an informative agenda.  A block of rooms has been reserved at the Renaissance Waverly Hotel until February 7.  For hotel reservations, call the hotel directly at (770) 953-4500.  For detailed information, please call GBA’s Marybeth Jones at (404) 420-2032.

Georgia Banking School Filling Quickly
Fifty-five bankers took advantage of Early Bird registration and enrolled in the 2007 freshman class in Athens.  Having broken recent total enrollment figures for the past four years, another sellout at 70 is expected.  We recommend each bank make its Georgia Banking School registration decisions soon.  Call GBA’s Marybeth Jones at (404) 420-2032 with questions.

Winter 2007 AIB Classroom Courses
AIB classes meet three hours each week for 2 to 15 weeks and will be held at a local financial institution.  If you would like to see a specific AIB 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.  Following are the AIB classroom courses for Winter 2007:

• Marketing Financial Services, taught by Denny Donegan at Northside Bank, Adairsville.
  Beginning January 17, 10 weeks, $195, text $65

• Ethical Issues for Bankers, taught by Jeff Kovach, Northwest Georgia Bank, Ringgold.
  Beginning January 18, 2 weeks, $145 (text included)

• Principles of Banking, taught by Denny Donegan at Dalton Whitfield Bank and FSG Bank, Dalton. 
  Beginning January 22, 10 weeks, $195, text $60

• Consumer Lending, taught by Jeff Kovach, Northwest Georgia Bank, Ringgold.
  Beginning February 8, 10 weeks, $195, text $75

• Principles of Banking, taught by Lorna Elizabeth Crawford of Fidelity Bank at Douglas County Bank, Douglasville. 
  Beginning February 15, 10 weeks, $195, text $60.

Register Today for AIB Online Courses
Just a reminder that the following AIB online classes begin on February 5.  Please register two weeks in advance to secure a seat in the class.  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. (Classes with an asterisk * require Microsoft Excel Software.)

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

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

• Banking Today, 5 weeks, $275

• Economics for Bankers, 16 weeks, $375

• Trust Operations, 15 weeks, $375

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

There is still availability in the following AIB online classes beginning January 29.  Please register as soon as possible to secure a seat in the class.

• Commercial Lending, 16 weeks, $375

• Principles of Banking, 16 weeks, $375

Please see the AIB Online January – April 2007 Schedule for a complete listing or call GBA’s Alison Moreau at (404) 420-2034 with questions.

Georgia Banks Share in Distribution
The Georgia banks participating in the ABA-sponsored and GBA-endorsed insurance program with the American Bankers Professional and Fidelity Insurance Company (ABPFIC) will share in $4.5 million in underwriting profits being distributed to insured member banks.  ABPFIC, the mutual reinsurer for the program, has distributed $58.5 million to participants since the program’s inception in 1987.  The Georgia Bankers Association was one of the original state bankers associations involved with the program underwritten by Progressive Casualty Insurance Company.  The program offers directors and officers liability, financial institution bond, Internet banking liability, employment practices liability and other related insurance products for community banks.  With questions about how your bank can get a quote, please call GBA’s Chad Wilson at (404) 420-2031.

Investment Managers Recognized
GBA Retirement Services is pleased to report that both investment mangers for the GBA Master Pension and Profit Sharing Trust were recognized in the category of Atlanta’s Top Ten Money Managers according to the Atlanta Business Chronicle.  Reliance Trust Company ranked number two with over $36 billion in managed assets.  Atlanta Capital Management ranked number seven with over $8.8 billion in managed assets.  Both providers have produced very competitive long-term returns for the GBA Master Trust.  The programs offered through the GBA Retirement Services provide flexibility to meet the needs of any bank or associate member who may be looking to add or change their qualified retirement plan.  Now is good time to begin reviewing your existing plans to ensure you have a great retirement benefit for your employees.  Please contact GBA’s Mandy Richards at (404) 420-2025 for information on how GBA Retirement Services can help design a retirement plan for your bank.

Welcome New Participant
The GBA Insurance Trust, Inc. Board of Directors welcomes to the Trust First Citizens Bank of Georgia, i.o., Dawsonville, Charles Buckner, 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.

Strengthen Customer Ties at Your Bank
Clarke American, a GBA Strategic Partner, is a leading provider of checks and related products, contact center services, e-commerce, and direct response marketing solutions to financial institutions throughout the U.S.  Annually, Clarke American produces more than 10 billion checks and deposit tickets in a variety of formats through a network of sixteen electronically linked manufacturing facilities and customer service centers across the nation. Clarke American provides valuable products and services that meet your customers’ unique needs. From multiple convenience channels such as Internet and phone to targeted marketing to individual account holders, their innovative technologies are taking customer relationships to new heights.  Clarke American’s vision is “to be the premier resource for our partners in the delivery of passionate customer care” by helping their partners attract, grow, and retain profitable customer relationships built on the checking account.  For more information, contact Clarke American’s Pat McMahon at (800) 382-0818, ext. 2823, or GBA’s Chad Wilson at (404) 420-2022.

Firewall Protection Services
Ensuring your firewall is operating properly and is regularly updated with the latest software releases assures that your firewall presents an effective line of defense.  Gladiator Technology Services, Inc. is a Strategic Partner of the GBA and will proactively evaluate and monitor your firewall to maintain its effectiveness.  In addition, Gladiator’s highly trained security professionals will monitor the firewall real time and 24x7 to determine if unauthorized attempts are being made to breach the security of the system and will work with your institution to resolve such attacks as quickly as possible.  IT examiners expect your institution to manage technology effectively by monitoring intrusion prevention and employee activity.  Gladiator produces comprehensive and user-friendly management reports each month to allow your Information Security Officer to review and discuss the previous month’s activity with the technical support group and with the Board of Directors. Their knowledgeable staff will work with your financial institution to provide a team approach to managing technology properly.  Gladiator works with financial institutions exclusively and pride themselves on their knowledge and understanding of the environment.  For more information, contact Gladiator’s Danny Johnston at (678) 461-4620 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
FinCrime	Financial Industry Pre-Employment Assessments
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:

Athens - Athens First Bank & Trust Company Lisa Brooks has joined the bank as Vice President and Branch Manager.  Phil Bettendorf has been named Senior Vice President; Erika Lane Group Vice President; Robert Cook Vice President; Leslie Williams Cash Management Representative and Banking Officer; Dean Mannheimer Assistant Vice President; and Lori Greer, Jessica Marra, and Stephanie Whitworth Banking Officers. Cartersville - Bartow County Bank Mike LaRue has been promoted to Vice President; Dianna Edmondson, Kim Grimes and Glenn Williams to Assistant Vice Presidents; and Valynda Freeman and Randy Jackson to Banking Officers. Cedartown - First National Bank of Polk County Our sympathies to the family and colleagues of board member Ray Beck who died this week.  Mr. Beck was a member of the Georgia Tech and College Football Halls of Fame. Gainesville - Gainesville Bank & Trust Jacob Thome has been promoted to Banking Officer and Ken Gurovich has joined the bank’s holding company, GB&T Bancshares, Inc., as Vice President, BSA/Fraud Officer. Ringgold - Northwest Georgia Bank Knox Farmer has been promoted to Manager of Branch Operations and Sales Development and Josh Wilson has been named Branch Manager. Smyrna - Community Bank of the South Ryan Tucker has been promoted to Vice President, Construction Lending. Suwanee - RBC Centura Bank Bhavana Amin has been named Banking Center Manager.	Thombe Farmer	Gurovich Wilson
	Tucker

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