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November 30, 2007

Mortgage Bill Passed
House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank (D-MA) successfully ushered a complex bill through both his committee and the U.S. House of Representatives designed to deal with the pressures in the home mortgage market.  GBA expressed serious concerns about the bill to our House delegation.  The Georgia members split along party lines with all Democrats voting for the bill and all Republicans voting against it.  Rep. David Scott (D-GA), a member of the Committee, wrote an article explaining his support of the bill, and GBA Bank Counsel Section member Don Lampe with Womble Carlyle Sandridge and Rice, PLLC has written a summary of the major provisions applying to all mortgage originators.  Don's memo purposely does not cover certain provisions in the bill such as the registration requirements. 

Register Today for Legislative Reception
Registrations are pouring in for GBA’s annual Legislative Reception.  This premier event is slated for Wednesday, January 16, 2008, from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta.  We are expecting a large crowd of legislators and other state dignitaries, so it is imperative every member bank is represented.  Members of the Bank Counsel Section are also encouraged to attend as are Associate Members.  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.  If you are planning to spend the night, you may make hotel reservations at the Embassy Suites Hotel, Centennial Olympic Park by calling the hotel directly at (404) 223-2300.  Be sure to tell them you are with the Georgia Bankers Association.  The cut off date for the special rate of $169 per night is Thursday, December 20.  With questions about the reception or the hotel, please call GBA’s Susie McGehee at (404) 420-2010.  Show your support for the banking industry and the Association by registering a group of representatives from your bank today. 

FDIC Reports Third Quarter Results
To no one’s surprise, the FDIC has announced the net income for the banking industry dropped in the third quarter compared to the previous quarter.  FDIC Chairman Sheila Bair commented on report by saying in part, “Industry performance was hurt by asset-quality problems and volatility in financial markets during the third quarter.”  She went on to say, “Because insured financial institutions entered this period of uncertainty with strong earnings and capital, they are in a better position both to absorb the current stresses and to provide much needed credit as other sources withdraw.  Going forward, the outlook for the industry depends on the severity of the housing downturn and the extent to which it spills over into the broader economy.”  Here is a chart showing Georgia bank performance compared to all banks nationally.

Wingate Memoirs Available
Many of you remember J. Alton Wingate as not only CEO of Community Bankshares, Inc. and the “Father of Supermarket Banking” but also as Past Chairman of the Georgia Bankers Association and a champion of our industry at both the grassroots and national level.  Alton passed away in 2005 and his memoirs have now been published in a book entitled Opportunity is Everywhere.  In it, Alton describes his entrepreneurial spirit and drive that helped define the success of his sometimes unorthodox approach to community banking.  If you are interested in purchasing a copy of this entertaining and thought-provoking book, you may do so by contacting jledford@corebanking.net.  The cost is $22, which includes shipping.

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

• Milton Jones, Georgia President, Bank of America, Atlanta

• Stan Kryder, CEO, Midtown Bank & Trust Company, Atlanta

• Gary Fox, CEO, Bartow County Bank, Cartersville

• Bill Cabaniss, CEO, The Commercial Bank, Crawford

• Spencer Strickland, CEO, Mountain State Bank, Dawsonville

• Wayne Herringdine, President, Bank of Wrightsville

• Barry Cohen, Partner, Mauldin & Jenkins, Atlanta

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

• Mike Knowles, CEO, NorthWest Bank & Trust, Acworth

• Stan Kryder, CEO, Midtown Bank & Trust Company, Atlanta

• Charles Green, President, Sunrise Bank of Atlanta

• Andy Williams, President, United Community Bank, Blairsville

• Steve Jordan, CEO, Bank of Monticello

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

Annual Convention Early Registration
The 2008 Annual Convention will be held on June 15-18 at the St. Regis Resort, Monarch Beach, Dana Point, California and promises to be an educational and memorable event you won’t want to miss!  Attendees will hear nationally known speakers discussing many of the hot issues facing bankers today.  Register early, and we will be happy to invoice your bank.  Please call GBA’s Susie McGehee at (404) 420-2010 with questions.

Register for GBA Webinars Today
Just a reminder that GBA will offer the webinars listed below during the week of December 10.  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 this information for training purposes, you may also purchase an audio CD, handout materials and a password to view the information online.  Complete details about the webinar, topics being covered, and information about the presenters can be found on GBA’s Calendar of Events.  With questions, please call GBA’s Courtenay Pope at (404) 420-2015.

•  Introduction to Commercial Lending, Part II  - December 10

•  IRS Reporting Requirements - December 11

•  Regulation Z: An Overview – December 11

•  What to Do When a Deposit Customer Dies – December 12

• 2007 Lending Compliance Update – December 13

Last Call for Bank Secrecy Act Seminar
There is still space available for GBA’s Bank Secrecy Act Compliance seminar on Tuesday, December 4, at the Ramada Plaza in Macon.  Designed for BSA officers, compliance officers, and internal auditors, this one day interactive seminar will help bankers to identify “high-risk” accounts as well as acquire comprehensive internal audit and independent review procedures.  Some of the topics to be covered include:

• New Exam procedures for BSA + OFAC+ CIP + Suspicious Activity Reporting

• How to Develop a Risk Assessment + Risk Profile for your Bank

• How to perform customer due diligence and monitor “High-Risk” accounts

• Additional requirements for Money Services Businesses (“MSBs”)

Register now or call GBA’s Courtenay Pope at (404) 420-2015 with questions.

Advanced Consumer Lending Seminar
GBA will host our Advanced Consumer Lending seminar on Wednesday, December 12, at the Ramada Plaza in Macon.  Designed for lenders with at least one year’s experience in consumer lending, this advanced class will tackle the more complicated credits requiring an analysis of the customer’s cash position from tax returns. Attendees will learn to evaluate the borrower’s ability to repay based on an accurate income position determined by analyzing tax returns.  A variety of types of self-employed borrowers and income issues will also be reviewed. Please click here to register now or contact GBA’s Courtenay Pope at (404) 420-2015 with questions.

Register Today for AIB Online Courses
Just a reminder that the following AIB online classes begin on December 17.  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, $795

• General Accounting*, 16 weeks, $485

• Principles of Banking, 16 weeks, $385

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

There is still availability in the following AIB Online classes beginning December 10.  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

• Fundamentals of Consumer Lending, 5 weeks, $230

• Law & Banking:  Principles, 16 weeks, $435

• Principles of Banking, Accelerated, 10 weeks, $315

• Trust Basics, 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.

AIB Classroom Course
The next AIB classroom courses for Winter 2008 is Law & Banking:  Applications and will be taught by Cassie Parker of McIntosh State Bank, McDonough.  The class begins January 14 and meets for 10 consecutive weeks.  The cost is just $195 and the cost for the textbook is $69.  GBA has been offering AIB in-person classes for many years.  The classesmeet 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.

Trust & Investment Management Services
Reliance Trust Company, a subsidiary of the privately held Reliance Financial Corporation, is one of the largest independent trust companies in the country with more than $30 billion in assets under management. Headquartered in Atlanta and a longtime Strategic Partner of the GBA, Reliance is a leading provider of financial services to individuals, corporate, and institutional clients worldwide.  Reliance offers a full array of personalized financial services that can benefit your bank by adding fee-based revenues through financial advisory services.  This includes directors and bank employees as well as its individual and business customers. Services include:

• Wealth Management and Personal Advisory Services

• Separate Account Management

• Money Manager Consulting

• Trust and Fiduciary Services

• Financial, Estate, and Tax Planning

• Retirement Plans and Investments

• Outsourcing Services to Financial Intermediaries

For more information, contact Reliance’s Mark Teichner at (404) 965-7239 or GBA’s Chad Wilson at (404) 420-2022.

Human Resources Solutions
Employment Law Compliance, Inc. is a Strategic Partner of the Georgia Bankers Association and our primary resource to provide employee handbooks, toolkits, affirmative action plans, and other compliance products specifically designed for community banks.  Keeping up with ever-changing employment regulations and human resources best practices can be time consuming.  Monitoring changes specific to the banking industry adds even more effort to the task.  Employment Law Compliance focuses on the needs of community banks which do not have the luxury of a large HR staff or in-house employment counsel.  Their staff is committed to designing and maintaining solutions and services that can help your bank attract, hire, retain, and manage the best employees.  For more information, contact ELC’s Steven Greene at (770) 206-3371 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.

Newsmakers:

Atlanta - Level5 Thomas Jarrett has been named Southeast Regional Director. Buford - Georgia Trust Bank Daniel H. Vo has joined the bank as Vice President, Commercial Lending and SBA Specialist; Brad Ledbetter as Assistant Vice President and Credit Analyst; and Molly A. Brooks as Banking Officer and Treasury Services Specialist.  Ryan Kersey has been promoted to Banking Officer, Commercial Lending. Dallas, TX - Comptroller of the Currency Gilbert D. (Gil) Barker has been named Deputy Comptroller for the Southern District to replace Jeri Gilland who recently retired. Dalton - Alliance National Bank Cliff Wood has been promoted to Vice President and Construction Lending Officer; Carla Cruse to Assistant Vice President, Credit Administration; and Jennifer Grafe to Manager, Mortgage Department. Hiram - WestSide Bank Congratulations to CEO Tren Watson, officers, directors and staff on the bank’s recent move to its new building. Jasper - Crescent Bank Brian G. Whelan has been promoted to Senior Vice President and Fulton County President. Marietta - Bank of North Georgia Judson Langley has joined the bank as Senior Vice President and Community Executive, Kevin Bamford as Assistant Vice President and Business Banking Relationship Manager, and Vickie Haney as Vice President and Business Banking Relationship Manager.

Jarrett Grafe Haney

Wood Langley

Cruse Bamford