Legislative Reception - Last Chance to Register
Advance registrations for GBA’s annual Legislative Reception are exceeding our expectations, and we know every bank will want to be represented.  The Reception is scheduled for Wednesday, January 10, 2007, from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency, Atlanta.  Legislators, statewide elected officials and our specially invited guests have returned in their response cards and we expect a big crowd.  It is crucial that a large number of bankers attend and show your support for the banking industry and the Association.  You may reserve a room by calling the Hyatt (404) 577-1234.  With questions, please call GBA’s Susie McGehee at (404) 420-2010.

Frank:  Home Depot Bigger Threat Than Wal-Mart
The new chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, Barney Frank (D-MA) gave a wide-ranging speech this week to the National Press Club.  In addition to talking about his broad goals for his chairmanship, he also spoke about the recent change in leadership at Home Depot and gave his views why an Industrial Loan Company (ILC) charter for Home Depot would come with a built in conflict of interest.  Mr. Frank has long been outspoken about the need to reign in new ILCs and has pressed the FDIC to extend their moratorium on new charters.  Mr. Frank also talked about his interest in affordable housing and suggested diverting a percentage of profits from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to pay for the idea.  He gave an aggressive prediction on the Committee's work ahead in the first few months of the House under Democrat control.  Click here to see the transcript of his speech.  

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.

Winter 2007 AIB Classroom Courses
Here are the AIB classroom courses for Winter 2007.  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.

• Supervision, taught by Cassie Parker, McIntosh State Bank, McDonough.
  Beginning January 8, 15 weeks, $295, text $75

• Consumer Lending, taught by Steve McFarland of Gwinnett Community Bank, Duluth.
  Beginning January 9, 10 weeks, $195, text $75

• Law & Banking: Applications, taught by Todd Pence of Northwest Georgia Bank, Ringgold.
  Beginning January 9, 10 weeks, $195, text $69

• 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)

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

Register Today for AIB Online Courses
Just a reminder that the following AIB Online classes begin on January 29.  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

• Commercial Lending, 16 weeks, $375

• Principles of Banking, 16 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 22.  Please register as soon as possible to secure a seat in the class.

• Consumer Lending, 16 weeks, $375

• Introduction to Mortgage Lending, 16 weeks, $375

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

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.

Bank Security Academy: Employee Investigations
We have been extremely pleased with the membership’s response to GBA’s Bank Security Academy announced recently by GBA’s Security Committee chaired by Brian Frederick of Altamaha Bank & Trust in Vidalia.  The Academy is a program of education and training fully sanctioned by the Georgia Bankers Association and designed to provide security officers with the basic knowledge and skills required to perform in a competent and professional manner.  The next in-person course on Employee Investigations is slated for Monday, January 22, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Ramada Plaza, Macon formerly Crowne Plaza).  This interactive one-day seminar will help you deal with the obstacles and challenges you face when conducting employee investigations.  Some of the topics to be covered include:  Evidence Collection, Analysis, and Organization, Interview and Interrogation and Workplace Violence.  The seminar is open to any banker, not just those planning to graduate from the Academy, and it is suitable for Bank Security Officers, Human Resource Managers, Auditors and Branch Managers.  The registration fee is $195. Please click here to register online.  With questions, please call GBA’s Courtenay Pope at (404) 420-2015.

HR Professionals Institute Scheduled
The HR Professionals Institute is scheduled for February 21-23, 2007, at Chateau Élan in Braselton.  The Human Resources Committee has planned an exciting agenda that you won’t want to miss.  A block of rooms has been reserved and the deadline for reservations is January 22, 2007.  You may call the hotel directly at (678) 425-0900 to make a reservation.  Call GBA’s Marybeth Jones at (404) 420-2032 with questions or to register.

Banking on Good Health
Planning for the Future; Return on Investment; Are They a Good Risk?; Expense Ratios ... all terms you would expect to see in a publication from an association dedicated to the banking industry. But let’s put a twist on the terms and look at them from the perspective of health. Are you planning on the future with regard to your health?  Does your lifestyle make you a good risk for your bank's health insurance program?  Is the GBA Insurance Trust receiving an acceptable return on investment from the programs put in place to reduce your costs, such as our disease management program?  What can we do together to promote positive health choices which can lead to better control of health care expenses?  During the coming year, be looking for our Banking on Good Health section in this Bulletin. Our goals are to give you information to help you manage your long-term health as well as give you information on the Insurance Trust and its operations. For our readers participating in the Insurance Trust, we are all in this together.  With knowledge, our actions, our lifestyles and our management abilities can be focused on the best health options and reducing the cost of health insurance for you and your bank.

GBA Convention Registration Open for 2007 Meeting
Bankers are already registering for the 2007 Annual Convention slated for June 17-20 at the fabulous Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman.  The GBA convention draws hundreds of Georgia bankers, associate members and their families each year.  The program, networking opportunities, recreational events and the location are always top quality.  With questions about the 2007 convention, please contact GBA's Susie McGehee at (404) 420-2010. 

Overdraft Privilege Program
Established in 1976 by Chairman William H. Strunk, Strunk & Associates, L.P. is a financial institution advisory service recognized nationally for its innovative design, development, and implementation of sustainable profit improvement solutions, most notably the Strunk “Overdraft Privilege Program”, for the financial services industry. The firm’s reputation is built on more than 30 years of providing expert and objective advisory services to thousands of financial institutions, and has recently received the exclusive endorsement of the GBA as a Strategic Partner.  If you are interested in better customer service and increased non-interest income, you will want to learn more about Strunk and Associates’ Overdraft Privilege Program. For more information, please contact Strunk’s Rick Ivey at (972) 576-3700 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:

Albany - HeritageBank of the South Edward Cassitty, James H. Moore, III, and Hubert F. Scott, Jr. have been named to the bank's Board of Directors. Alpharetta - Bank of North Georgia Debra Stanford has been rejoined the bank as Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer. Atlanta - Piedmont Bank of Georgia As part of its recent acquisition by PrivateBancorp., Inc., the bank has changed its name to The PrivateBank. Atlanta - PrivateBank of Buckhead Congratulations to CEO Charlie Crawford and the other officers, directors and staff on the bank's recent opening. Cairo - Ameris Bank Robert VanLandingham has been named President and Chief Executive Officer replacing Edgar Smith who recently retired. Douglasville - First Commerce Community Bank Lynne Parson and Tanya Shelton have been promoted to Assistant Operations Officers and Laura Thompson to Banking Officer-Business Manager, Officer of the President. Elberton - Pinnacle Bank Shannon Fortson and David K. Voyles have been promoted to Senior Vice Presidents. McDonough - First Bank of Henry County Effective January 1, 2007, the bank's name changed to FirstBank Financial Services. Perry - Security Bank of Houston County George E. Slappey has been elected President and Chief Executive Officer and William D. (Derry) Watson to Vice Chairman of the Board.  Guy W. Starling, Jr. has been promoted to Executive Vice President; and Ron Baggett and Clara Sandefur to Senior Vice Presidents; Ben Hulbert to Banking Officer. Tandy Brantley has been elected Assistant Banking Officer. Ringgold - Northwest Georgia Bank Congratulations to Loan Technician Mary Rominger on her recent retirement. Savannah - The Savannah Bank Mary O'Donnell Fitzgerald has been promoted to Vice President.  Karen Groover has been promoted to Human Resources Officer at the bank's holding company, The Savannah Bancorp. Smyrna - Community Bank of the South Christopher G. Edwards has joined the bank as Commercial Lender.

Stanford Rominger Groover

Slappey Fitzgerald Edwards

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