Rural Development and Lending Conference a Success - FCS A Concern
Over 45 bankers and associate members attended the Rural Development and Lending Conference held May 17-18 at The King & Prince Beach and Golf Resort on St. Simons Island.  Thank you to David Keith, Senior Vice President at South Georgia Banking Company in Tifton, and the entire Agriculture Committee for planning an excellent agenda.  A special thank you to our sponsors:  Stan Howe with Howe Construction for sponsoring the reception and Warren McCollough with Farmer Mac for sponsoring the dinner.  At the conference, several bankers expressed concern about the expansion plans of the Farm Credit System (FCS).  As we have reported in previous e-Bulletins, Congress is working on the new Farm Bill and FCS is pushing to add new credit provisions that would expand their off-farm lending authority. A House Agriculture Committee Subcommittee reported out a bill this week that, among other things, would allow FCS lenders to make home mortgage loans in towns of up to 6,000 people, instead of the current 2,500; enable the FCS to lend to firms with any connection to renewable energy; repeal the borrower requirement to buy FCS stock; and enable FCS institutions to manipulate their funding of the system's insurance fund.  The full committee is expected to take up the measure soon.  Georgia has three members on the House Agriculture Committee:  Reps. David Scott (D-Atlanta), John Barrow (D-Savannah) and Jim Marshall (D-Macon) and we have informed them of our members' concerns.  We suggest you also contact them if this issue is important to you.  The association representing the state bank regulators, the Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS), has also weighed in opposing the expansion.  "The proposals threaten to erode the community banking system, which drives economic development in farm communities across the country," said CSBS President and CEO Neil Milner. "We firmly believe expanding the FCS charter will create safety and soundness issues by harming FDIC-insured institutions.  Government-subsidized entities should be created to fill economic gaps, not compete with or undermine private enterprise," Milner said.

ILC Bill Passes House/Senate Bill Needs Support
The U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the legislation this week that would reign in Industrial Loan Companies like the ones Home Depot and other commercial firms are trying to charter.  Our thanks to House Financial Service Committee Chairman, Barney Frank (D-MA) and Rep. Paul Gillmor (R-OH) for their bipartisan support of H.R. 698 that would close the industrial loan company loophole.  There is substantial opposition in the Senate, primarily from Utah Senator Robert Bennett.  Our thanks to the American Bankers Association for providing a simple method for bankers and your employees to send letters asking your senators to support and co-sponsor an identical companion bill, S. 1356.  Please click here to read more and send a letter to your two Senators.  With questions, please contact GBA's Elizabeth Chandler at (404) 420-2027.

BSA/AML Security  Seminar Scheduled for June 14 in Macon
GBA will host its BSA/AML Security seminar on Thursday, June 14, at the Macon Ramada Plaza.  The registration fee is $195 and Steve Cross, Ed Phillips and Alvin Mitcham with SunTrust Bank, Atlanta, are the instructors.  Designed for anti-money laundering professionals, this one day seminar will focus on the Bank Secrecy Act, the filing of SARs, OFAC, and much more.  Special Agent Tom Justice with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will also be on hand to discuss Money Laundering and Money Service Businesses.  This seminar qualifies as curriculum credit required for the Bank Security Academy.  With questions, contact GBA’s Courtenay Pope at (404) 420-2015 or Susie McGehee at (404) 420-2010.  Click here to register.

Ike Reighard Slated as Closing Speaker for Leadership Conference
Registrations continue to pour in for Leadership GBA’s 47^th Annual Leadership Conference scheduled for July 15-18 at the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club in Ponte Vedra, Florida.  We’ll close this year’s Conference with Dr. Dwight “Ike” Reighard, Chief People Officer of HomeBanc, Atlanta, speaking about making a life while making a living.  For many people, this is becoming infinitely more and more difficult in today's society.  Dr. Reighard will share some valuable tips on how to develop work/life effectiveness with purpose and passion.  If you are seeking a greater balance in your life, don’t miss this session.  The Conference will also provide excellent networking opportunities for bankers from around the state to share ideas. For additional information, please call GBA’s Susie McGehee at (404) 420-2010 or Jennifer Stevens at (404) 420-2024.  Click here to register.

AIB Classroom Instructors Needed
The GBA is currently looking for bankers who would like to become AIB instructors. One current need is a Principles of Banking instructor for the Warner Robins area (Houston County).  If you are interested in becoming an AIB instructor, please contact GBA’s Alison Moreau at (404) 420-2034.

Register Today for AIB Online Courses
Here are the available online classes for June 2007.  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.)

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

• Analyzing Financial Statements* (June 25), 16 weeks, $485

• Commercial Lending (June 25), 16 weeks, $385

• Financial Accounting* (June 18), 16 weeks, $485

• Financial and Business Planning for Bank Marketers* (June 25), 9 weeks, $285

• General Accounting* (June 18), 16 weeks, $485

• Introduction to Agricultural Lending (June 25), 8 weeks, $375

• Principles of Banking (June 18), 16 weeks, $385

• Principles of Banking - Accelerated (June 25), 10 weeks, $315

• Retirement Plan Services – Investments (June 25), 6 weeks, $795

• Team Leader Certificate (June 25), 16 weeks, $695

• 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.

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.  NationsLink has been a GBA Strategic Partner since 1998 proudly serving approximately 50 banks.  Through NationsLink’s multi-vendor relationships, banks can be assured of an un-biased telecommunications 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 a free no-obligation analysis, please contact NationsLink’s Michael Woodruff at (800) 546-5875, 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	Internet Loan Closing Program
Checking Club Programs	Job Bank
Discounted Check Program	MSI
Discounted Local & Long Distance Program	Non-Qualified Executive Benefits (BOLI)
Financial Industry Pre-Employment Assessments	Pledging Pool Program
FinCrime	Record Retention Guide
Georgia Financial Directory	Senior Housing Crime Prevention Foundation
Georgia Laws Code Book	Strunk & Associates, L.P.
Holiday Decals	Thumbprint Signature Program
Human Resources Solutions	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:

Acworth - NorthWest Bank & Trust Eileen Jones-Yarish has joined the bank as Credit Officer. Clarkesville - Southern Bank & Trust Don Mongin has been elected to the Board of the Directors of the bank and its holding company, SBT Bancorp. Griffin - United Bank John Boren has been promoted to Assistant Vice President and Nat Doughtie to Loan Officer. Smyrna - Community Bank of the South Wesley D. Smith has been promoted to Credit Department Manager and Chief Credit Officer. Statesboro - First Southern National Bank Cliff Wildes has been promoted to Vice President, Amy Taulbee to Assistant Vice President, Shane Geurin to Banking Officer, and Tammy Philips to Assistant Operations Officer. Valdosta - PAB Bankshares, Inc. David K. Williams has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the holding company and Park Avenue Bank and congratulations to Bill J. Jones and John M. Simmons, III on their recent retirement. Villa Rica - HomeTown Bank of Villa Rica James I. Owens, Jr. has joined the bank as President and Chief Executive Officer.

Boren Wildes Philips

Doughtie Taulbee

Smith Geurin

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