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November 2, 2007

Breaking News:  Farm Bill Slated for Full Senate Action
We understand the 2007 Farm Bill could come to the full Senate for action as early as Monday of next week. While GBA has been supportive of most of the bill and has encouraged its adoption, we have also been asking our members to advocate strongly to not support adding provisions which would greatly expand the Farm Credit System (FCS) at the expense of the banking industry.  In a conference call with U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) this week, GBA Past Chairman Jud Vann, CEO of Planters & Citizens Bank in Camilla, GBA President Joe Brannen and GBA Senior Vice President Elizabeth Chandler discussed the Senator's plans to offer an amendment for the FCS.  The amendment would raise the city population to 7,500 where FCS could make mortgage loans and expand the system's ability to make biofuel loans.  "We strongly made our position known as being totally opposed to his amendment, and we hope we made an impact," Jud said.  "We appreciate Sen. Chambliss being available to hear our concerns, and I trust other members will also let him know of your concerns," Jud concluded.  To quickly send a letter to both Sen. Chambliss and Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA), please click here, fill out the requested information, and your letters will be automatically generated.

GBA Insurance Trust Announces Rates
The Georgia Bankers Association Insurance Trust, Inc. (GBAIT) is a not-for-profit GBA affiliate that provides member bank employees with a stable source of health, life, disability and other types of insurance at competitive costs. Over the years, we have been able to keep your rates well below trend when compared to others. In fact, over the last five years, our members have saved approximately $24,000,000 compared to the national average for rate increases.  “This year, our member bank employees had one of their most healthy years ever.  Due to the favorable 2007 claims experience, I am pleased to announce the following percentage adjustments for the 2008 renewal,” said GBAIT Chairman, Pete Malone, CEO of McIntosh Bancshares, Inc. in Jackson:

“Our claims experience gave us this opportunity to hold rates for most participants steady and even substantially reduce rates in some plans.  Only the HMO/POS and dental plans will have small rate increases.  Almost 300 community banks participate in this program statewide; that kind of support is powerful and gives us a competitive advantage no others have,” Pete concluded.

Georgia BankPAC Classic a Success
Leadership GBA’s seventh annual Georgia BankPAC Classic at the Club at River Forest was a huge success with over 60 players in attendance.  “We were very pleased with the attendance and sponsorships this year,” said Wes Dodd, Leadership GBA President and Executive Vice President of Finance and CFO of Community Bankshares, Inc. in Cornelia.  “Because of everyone’s support, we will definitely exceed our contribution goal to the Georgia BankPAC,” Wes concluded.  GBA BankPAC Chairman George Butler, President and CEO of The First National Bank of Barnesville said, “Increased participation in the BankPAC continues to be a major goal of the Association.  Leadership GBA plays a key role in our success and we appreciate everything they do.”  A special thank you to the sponsors who helped make the tournament a success.  Click here for the list of tournament winners. 

BankPAC Update
Since the last Bulletin, the following companies have contributed to the GBA StatePAC:

• Scott Carswell, CEO, Bank of Chickamauga

• Pat McGoldrick, CEO, Legacy State Bank, Loganville

• Joel Thomas, Marketing Communications Manager, Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.

• Dianne Barker, Executive Recruiter, CSP, WillStaff, Inc.

• Mike Odom, Princpal, Great Oaks Advisors, LLC, Richmond Hill

• Ricky Nessmith, CEO, Farmers & Merchants Bank, Statesboro

• John Hayes, CEO, FTRANS Corp., Atlanta

• Billy Dobbs, Managing Director, Mellon Financial Corp., Atlanta

The officers, directors, and staff of the following banks have contributed to the GBA FedPAC:

• Phil Baldwin, CEO, Security Bank of North Fulton, Alpharetta

• Bill Gafford, CEO, McIntosh Commercial Bank, Carrollton

• Steve Melton, CEO, Columbus Bank and Trust Company

• Pat McGoldrick, President, Legacy State Bank, Loganville

Thank you for your support.  This week’s BankPAC Update gives more details about the PAC campaign to date.  With questions, please call GBA's Elizabeth Chandler at (404) 420-2027.  Click here for BankPAC Contribution Forms.

Legislative Reception Scheduled
The GBA’s annual Legislative Reception honoring the members of the General Assembly and other dignitaries is one of the best-attended events by policy makers of all events held in their honor.  This premiere event is scheduled for Wednesday, January 16, 2008, at the Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  “Thanking the Legislators for their service is important,” said GBA Chairman-Elect Steve Jordan, CEO of the Bank of Monticello and Chairman of GBA’s Public Affairs Committee.  “And, it’s just as important for bankers to show our strong interest in the legislative process.”  Prior to the reception, you will have the opportunity to participate in a private tour of the Aquarium from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  A block of rooms has been reserved for the night of January 16 at the Embassy Suites Hotel, Centennial Olympic Park, one block from the Aquarium; the negotiated rate is $169 per night for a single or double room.  You may reserve a room by calling the hotel directly at (404) 223-2300.  Be sure to tell them you are with the Georgia Bankers Association.  These rooms will be held until Thursday, December 20, 2007.

Last Call for Bank Security Seminar Scheduled for November 7
GBA will host a bank security seminar focusing on robbery and personal security on Wednesday, November 7 at the Ramada Plaza in Macon. This seminar is designed as a stand-alone seminar for any bank security officer and is also part of GBA's Bank Security Academy and fulfills the Bank Robbery/Physical Security requirements of the Academy curriculum.  The registration fee for the workshop is $195 per person.  Charles Williams, President of Marketing Advertising Consulting Services in Eastman will lead the seminar.  Designed for bank security officers, bank training officers, branch administration, this one-day workshop is devoted to security topics of most concern to financial institutions.  Topics to be covered are:

With questions, please contact GBA's Courtenay Pope at (404) 420-2015.  Please click here to register.

UCC Update Scheduled for November 14
GBA will host its UCC Update seminar on Wednesday, November 14, at the Macon Ramada Plaza.  The registration fee is $195, and Gary Moser with Moser, Rose & Cox in Valdosta is the instructor.  Designed for senior lenders, junior lenders, bank attorneys, compliance officers and  loan review personnel, this one-day, interactive seminar will cover documentation of loans secured by personal property, perfection of security interests in personal property, bank’s responsibilities and actions after default, and obligations between debtor and creditor after foreclosure and sale of personal property.  Some of the topics to be covered include:

• Expanded scope

• Types of collateral, including deposit accounts

• Types of transactions

• National financing statement forms

• Filing requirements, including electronic filing, and other means of perfection

• Default and enforcement rules

• Deficiency collections

Please call GBA’s Courtenay Pope at (404) 420-2015 with questions.  Click here to register.

Financial Risk Management Conference
GBA’s Financial Risk Management Conference is scheduled for January 30-31, 2008 at the Cobb Galleria, Atlanta.  Thanks to Tom Redding, Committee Chair and SVP/CFO of The First State Bank in Stockbridge, 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 January 2.  For reservations, call the hotel directly at (770) 953-4500.  For more information, please call GBA’s Marybeth Jones at (404) 420-2032.  Click here to register.

Congratulations AIB STAR Students
GBA’s “STAR Student” program recognizes outstanding academic excellence in the AIB classroom courses.  The award is given to the student with the highest overall academic average and strong classroom participation.  Congratulations to Spring and Summer 2007 STAR Students:

• Neena Carroll, Crescent Bank & Trust, Jasper; Principles of Banking

• Brian James, Pinnacle Bank, Elberton; Principles of Banking

• Katie Kerlin, Gwinnett Community Bank, Duluth; Commercial Lending

• Phil Shannon, Northwest Georgia Bank, Ringgold; Marketing Financial Services

• Lisa Raff, Northwest Georgia Bank, Ringgold; Money & Banking

Southern Operations & Technology School Honor Graduates Recognized
The 2007 session of the Southern Operations and Technology School was held October 21-26 at the University of Georgia.  The school’s two-year curriculum includes classes that expand and strengthen the student’s knowledge of key operations areas, new technologies, current regulatory issues, and management skills. Students are required to submit a home study project between the first and second year and a passing grade is mandatory for graduation.  Each year two students with the highest grades on their home study projects are honored at graduation.  This year’s Graduate of Distinction, the student with the highest grade, is Terri Strait of Integrity Bank in Alpharetta.  This year’s Honor Graduate, the student with the second highest grade, is Shawn Hall of McIntosh State Bank in Jackson.  In addition to the two top awards, the school’s administrative committee also recognizes those students who scored in the top 10% of their class.  Those graduating with honors include Bryan Aasheim of Pineland State Bank, Metter; Sue Hyland of United Community Bank, Blairsville; and Will Taylor of North Georgia National Bank, Calhoun.  Congratulations to our honorees.  A special thank you to the members of the school’s administrative committee for their hard work and dedication:  Sandy Robinson, School Director, Ameris Bank, Moultrie; John Tyson, Darby Bank & Trust Co., Vidalia; Sheila Ray, Atlanta Bancorporation; and Alice Rainey, Skylight Financial, Inc., Atlanta.

Southern Operations & Technology School Honor Graduates Left to right: Will Taylor, Bryan Aasheim, Sue Hyland, Glenese Holliday, Sandy Robinson, Terri Strait, Jay Rinehart, Shawn Hall

Southern Operations & Technology School Second Year Class First Row (Left to Right):  Jay Rinehart, Sharyn Harvey, Kerry Smith, Michelle Hayes, Candi Taff, Sandra Hernandez and Sue Hyland Second Row:  Tracey Graham, Donna Hardeman, Karen Haire, Tammy Berfield and Glenese Holliday Third Row: Cynthia Cone, Amy Tucker, Jamie Arnold, Teir Bristol, Jan Smith and Cindy Smith Fourth Row: Rhonda Hendrix, Sophia Rollins, Sandra Massey, Terri Strait and Traci McCain; Fifth Row:  Bryan Aasheim, Virginia Perkins, Chris Adams, Will Taylor, Shawn Hall and Scott Odom

Fall 2007 AIB Classroom Courses
Following are the upcoming AIB classroom courses for Fall 2007.  AIB classes meet three hours each week for 1 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.

• Coaching for Success taught by Jeff Kovach of Northwest Georgia Bank, Ringgold
  Beginning November 13, 1 week, $95 (includes textbook)

• Corrective Action taught by Jeff Kovach of Northwest Georgia Bank, Ringgold
  Beginning November 27, 1 week, $95 (includes textbook)

• Law and Banking: Applications taught by Cassie Parker of McIntosh State Bank, Jackson
  Beginning January 14, 2008, 10 weeks, $195, textbook $69

Register Today for AIB Online Courses
There are not any AIB online classes beginning November 26.  There is still room in both the November 12 and November 19 online classes.  Please register as soon as possible 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.)  Here are the classes beginning November 19.

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

• Banking Today, 5 weeks, $295

• General Accounting*, 16 weeks, $485

• Money & Banking, 16 weeks, $385

• Principles of Banking Accelerated, 10 weeks, $315

• Supervisor Certificate, 16 weeks, $695

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

• Trust Operations, 15 weeks, $385

There is still availability in the following AIB Online classes beginning November 12.  Please register as soon as possible to secure a seat in the class.

• Analyzing Financial Statements*, 16 weeks, $485

• Economics for Bankers, 16 weeks, $385

• Financial Accounting*, 16 weeks, $485

• Marketing Financial Services, 16 weeks, $385

• Principles of Banking, 16 weeks, $385

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 Associate Members
Congratulations to the following companies for being approved for Associate Membership at the October 9^th GBA Board of Directors meeting:

• Checkpoint, Dacula, Wyatt Cunningham, Account Manager

• Countrywide, Plano, TX, Richard Brown, Director

• Franzen & Salzano, PC, Norcross, Leslie Howell, Esquire

• Georgia Duplicating Products, Inc., Macon, Leon Strickland, Chief Executive Officer

• inLighten, Inc., Depew, NY, Jackie Fatta, Vice President

• Mortgage Investors Group, Knoxville, TN, John Burns, Director

• Open Solutions, Glastonbury, CT, Mickey Goldwasser, Vice President

• Summit Signs, LLC, Marietta, Elise Ferrara, President

• The First National Bankers Bank, Birmingham, AL, Reaves Crabtree, Senior Vice President

• WillStaff, Inc., Monroe, LA, Dianne Barker, Executive Recruiter

Associate Members have played an important part of the GBA during most of our 115 years.  Today, more than 195 businesses are enjoying increased visibility and expanded marketing opportunities while banks are receiving more options for top quality, cost-effective products and services.  Company descriptions and contact information is available on our website or contact Kenyetta Parks at (404) 420-2035 for more information.

Another Good Quarter in Stock Market
GBA Retirement Services, Inc. is pleased with the investment returns for 3^rd quarter 2007.  Both Reliance Trust Company and Atlanta Capital Management continue to have solid, competitive long-term investment returns and compare very favorably among most of their benchmarks.  GBA Retirement Services has seen continued growth among the number of banks entering the 401(k) Trust, with over 25 new plans signing up in the past two years.  Please refer to the update for detailed returns.  Advantages of being part of the GBA Master Trust include:  GBA dedicated staff support as primary resource, coordination of all service providers to ease your administration, reduced fees with high quality service providers, and ongoing investment education for employees.  Now is a great time to compare your plan to make sure you are offering a great retirement product with good long-term investment returns for your employees.  Please contact Mandy Richards at (404) 420-2025 for information on how GBA Retirement Services can help design a retirement plan for your bank.

Banks Gain CRA Credit for Loans or Investment in the Senior Housing Crime Prevention Foundation
The Georgia Bankers Association is proud to recognize the Senior Housing Crime Prevention Foundation as a new Strategic Partner.  The Senior Housing Crime Prevention Foundation is a nonprofit organization based in Memphis that offers banks a measurable, no-risk, high-yielding avenue for gaining CRA credit.  By making a loan or an investment with a guaranteed return, banks receive credit for Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) requirements.  The foundation uses the funds to set up Senior Crimestoppers programs for nursing homes and senior HUD housing units in the bank’s direct CRA assessment areas.  Banks also may reposition or recycle existing bonds in their portfolios to capture the same effect, and in doing so create a new annual CRA credit from bonds in the existing portfolios.  Banks may elect to invest or lend funds to the foundation and will qualify for CRA credits either way.  All dollars invested in or loaned to the foundation are fully collateralized with investment-grade bonds, which are selected with the bank’s input depending on the degree of risk it wants to take.  Banks are guaranteed a return on the coupon value of the bonds minus moderate basis-points spread to cover the cost of the Crimestoppers program.  For more information, please contact Tom Fehrmann at (877) 232-0859 or Chad Wilson at (404) 420-2022

Efficient Real Estate Loan Products & Services for Your Lenders
In recent years, the process for obtaining real estate loan products and services and closing loans has undergone tremendous changes due to increased competition as well as lenders searching for efficiencies and lower cost.  DSD Enterprises, Inc., a GBA Strategic Partner, is affiliated with technology and product service providers that bring state of the art technology and high quality vendors to our member banks.  These options include no cost order/delivery vendor management technology as well as multiple vendor choices for all products necessary to close real estate loans.  Product options for home equity, refinance, and second mortgage loans include alternative lien products that speed up processing and reduce closing costs without increasing risks.  For more information, please contact DSD’s Debra Evans at (478) 625-8978 or Mark Weisner at (770) 559-1026.

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.

Newsmakers:

Alpharetta - Providence Bank J. Pete Colie has joined the bank as Senior Vice President, Commercial Lending. Gainesville - Gainesville Bank & Trust David Dillard has joined the bank as Senior Vice President/Commercial Lender and Abby Branan as Private Banking Officer/Relationship Manager. Hiram - WestSide Bank David Turner, Vice President, has been named manager of Mortgage Department; Drew Miller is a Loan Officer and Eric Weekley is a Loan Specialist. Richmond Hill - Great Oaks Advisors, LLC Our sympathies to Mike Odom and his family in the death of his father this week in an auto accident. Rome - River City Bank Clem Trammell has joined the bank as Vice President, Commercial Banking and Tammy Helbing as Operations Manager.

Colie Miller

Dillard Weekley

Branan Trammel

Turner Helbing