Groups Elect Five to GBA Board
GBA’s Board of Directors is elected by the membership either at the annual Convention or at the Group Meetings.  This year, bankers in the odd-numbered Groups elected their representatives to the Board.  These bankers take office for a two-year term at GBA’s annual Convention next June.  “We are pleased to have bankers of this caliber willing to serve our industry, and I look forward to serving with them,” said GBA Chairman-elect Steve Jordan, President of the Bank of Monticello, who will also take office as Chairman at next year’s Convention.   Please join us in congratulating the following:

Group 1:  Mike Viers, President, First Chatham Bank, Savannah
Group 3:  Kelly Hillis, President, The Bank of Perry
Group 5:  Chuck Lewis, President, One Georgia Bank, Atlanta
Group 7:  Scott Smith, President, Northwest Georgia Bank, Ringgold
Group 9:  Andy Walker, President, First National Bank of Forsyth County, Cumming

Viers

Hillis

Lewis

Smith

Walker

Regulators Close NetBank
NetBank, an Alpharetta-based internet bank with no physical branches, was closed last week by the Office of Thrift Supervision, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation was named receiver.  Subsequently, the Board of Directors of the FDIC approved the assumption of the insured deposits of the bank by ING Bank, fsb, Wilmington, Delaware.  According to the FDIC, as of June 30, 2007, the bank had $2.5 billion in total assets and $2.3 billion in total deposits.  “When a bank fails, it touches almost every office and division in the corporation,” said FDIC Chairman Sheila C. Bair. “As chairman, it makes me proud to see the hard work and dedication demonstrated by staff. Since we began insuring banks in 1934, not a single depositor has lost a penny of insured deposits. Customers of NetBank should have confidence and security knowing that they will have access to their insured funds in a timely and orderly manner.”  FDIC estimated the cost to the deposit insurance fund to be $110 million.

UGA Begins Chair of Banking Search
We are pleased to report that the University of Georgia, Terry College of Business, has begun the formal search process for the Georgia Bankers Association Chair of Banking.  Annette Poulsen, Sterne Chair of Banking and Finance and Head of the Department of Banking and Finance, tells us that key faculty from the University will be attending several academic conferences over the next several months and will interact with potential candidates.  An ad is also being placed in the Chronicle of Higher Education as well as in various online Finance databases.  The search is expected to be a relatively lengthy process to ensure the goal of finding the right candidate is met.  The chair has been vacant since Dr. Jim Verbrugge changed his role with the Department several years ago.  “We are delighted the process is underway, and we look forward to working with the University in the selection process,” said GBA President Joe Brannen.  “Members of the Georgia Bankers Association funded the chair in the early 1980’s.  The chair holder has the potential to be of enormous benefit to the industry while enhancing the quality of the teaching staff at the University,” Joe concluded.  In addition to his duties at the University, the chair holder will speak at various GBA educational events and undertake scholarly research on banking issues of interest to the industry.

Fifty-Year Bankers Recognized
Lauree Kicklighter, Chairman of the bank’s Board of Directors at Glennville Bank, and Thelma Ruth H. Boykin, Vice President of PlantersFIRST in Ocilla, were recognized at this year’s Group Meetings for 50 years of service to the banking industry.  Congratulations and all the best in future!
 

Last Call for Internal Audit Seminar
There is still time to register for GBA’s Internal Audit Seminar scheduled for October 11 at the Ramada Plaza in Macon.  The registration fee is $195 and Mike Thomas with Crowe Chizek and Company, LLC is the instructor.  Designed for Internal Auditors, Audit Committee Members, Operations Officers, Compliance Officers, Internal Control Personnel, this one-day seminar will cover many of the basic concepts regarding community bank internal controls and internal audit techniques.  Some of the topics to be covered include:

• Essentials of Risk Based Auditing

• Effectively Managing the Internal Audit Plan

• Primary Internal Controls/Audit Techniques

• Building an Anti-Fraud Framework

With questions, contact GBA’s Courtenay Pope at (404) 420-2015.  Click here to register.

GBAIT Annual Enrollment Seminar
GBA Insurance Trust, Inc. will hold its Annual Enrollment Seminar on Tuesday, October 30, at the Idle Hour Country Club in Macon.  Designed for Human Resources and Insurance Administrators of the GBAIT program, the seminar will address all issues relating to the 2008 annual enrollment for the medical, dental and Section 125 insurance programs.  Online enrollment will also be demonstrated. This new service is currently in beta testing and will be available in early 2008 to all participating banks at no additional charge.  Representatives from the GBA Insurance Trust, the Holmes/Shaw Agency and Paragon Benefits will be available to answer questions during and after the program.  Each participating bank will receive one complimentary registration and additional registrations are $25.00 each.  The registration fee includes materials, lunch and breaks.  Click here to register.

Still Time to Register for Marketing Conference
GBA’s Marketing Conference is scheduled for November 1-2 at The King & Prince Beach and Golf Resort on St. Simons Island.  Committee Chair Bob Montgomery, City Executive of South Georgia Banking Company in Moultrie, and the entire Marketing Committee have done an outstanding job of putting together an exciting and informative agenda.  This year’s topics include:  Know and Understand Your Customer, Know and Understand Your Market, Setting Goals, Objectives and Budgets, Developing an Effective Brand Campaign, and ROI on Marketing Efforts.  In addition, there will be a Marketing Budget Panel Discussion as well as time for peer discussions.  For hotel reservations, call calling the hotel directly at (912) 638-3631.  For more information, please call GBA’s Marybeth Jones at (404) 420-2032.  Click here to register.

Credit Conference in November
GBA’s Credit Conference is scheduled for November 28-29 at the Cobb Galleria in Atlanta.  Alex Sheshunoff, President of Alex Sheshunoff & Partners, will deliver the keynote address.  General sessions include an economic forecast, peer discussions and a regulatory update.  There will also be two sets of concurrent sessions highlighting major topics of interest to bank lenders:  Southeast and Atlanta Housing Market Trends, Problem Loan and Participation Best Practices, Loan Workouts, and Commercial Real Estate Trends.  Thanks to 2007-2008 Credit Committee Chair Rick Drews, CEO of Century Bank of Georgia, Cartersville, for his leadership and to the Committee for their expertise in planning an informative and dynamic agenda.  For hotel reservations, please call the Sheraton Suites Galleria directly at (770) 955-3900.  With questions, please call GBA’s Marybeth Jones at (404) 420-2032.  Click here to register.

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.

• Banking Today taught by Jeff Kovach of Northwest Georgia Bank, Ringgold
  Beginning October 23, 2 weeks, $145 (includes textbook)

• 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)

Register Today for AIB Online Courses
Just a reminder that the following AIB online classes begin on October 29.  Please register two weeks in advance to secure a seat in the class.  These courses are instructor-facilitated with weekly assignments and 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

• Consumer Lending, 16 weeks, $385

• Principles of Banking, 16 weeks, $385

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

There is still availability in the following classes beginning October 22.  Please register as soon as possible to secure a seat in the class.

• Commercial Lending, 16 weeks, $385

• General Accounting*, 16 weeks, $485

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

• Managing Funding, Liquidity, and Capital*, 6 weeks, $595

• Principles of Banking Accelerated, 10 weeks, $315

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

Register for GBA Webinars Today
Just a reminder that GBA will offer the webinars listed below during the week of October 8.  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.

• Call Report - Highlights & Pitfalls – October 10

• Implementing Part 232 - Consumer Loans to Service Members – October 10

• Compliance Issues for the Deposit Area – October 11

• How to Comply with the Rescission Rules – October 11

• RESPA – October 11

• How to Make Commercial Loans with Limited Financial Data – October 12

GBARS Welcomes New Member
GBA Retirement Services, Inc. is pleased to welcome to the Trust Private Bank of Buckhead, Atlanta, Charles Crawford, CEO.  The programs offered through the GBA Master Pension and 401(k) Profit Sharing Trust provide flexibility to meet the needs of any bank or associate member who may be looking at adding or changing their qualified retirement plan.  The Master Trust provides high quality, affordable pension, profit sharing, and Section 401(k) programs for banks and associate members of all sizes.  Please contact Mandy Richards at (404) 420-2025 for more information on how GBA can help design a retirement plan for your bank.

Marketing Solutions for Your Bank
The Georgia Bankers Association has recently approved a Strategic Partnership with Financial Marketing Solutions (FMS).  Financial Marketing Solutions is a niche branding and marketing agency solely serving the financial services industry.  With a primary goal of encouraging clients to tap into the power of “brand” in a fresh new way, FMS empowers banks across the country to take their marketing to the next level – maximizing marketing dollars and delivering measurable results to the bank’s bottom line. Through a strategic discovery process, FMS partners with your bank to narrow corporate initiatives into real and attainable goals, uncover and enhance your brand, create an identifiable image, and develop customized marketing tools that integrate seamlessly throughout all locations.  For more information, please contact FMS’s Sean Hockenbery at (615) 591- 2073, or GBA’s Chad Wilson at (404) 420-2022.

Gladiator Technology: 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.  For more information, please 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.

Bond and D&O Insurance	Human Resources Solutions
Checking Club Programs	Internet Loan Closing Program
CRM	Job Bank
Discounted Check Program	Marketing
Discounted Local & Long Distance Program	Non-Qualified Executive Benefits (BOLI)
Financial Industry Pre-Employment Assessments	Pledging Pool Program
FinCrime	Record Retention Guide
Financial Marketing Solutions (FMS)	Senior Housing Crime Prevention Foundation
Georgia Financial Directory	Strunk & Associates, L.P.
Georgia Laws Code Book	Thumbprint Signature Program
Holiday Decals	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.

Latest Banks to Link
Welcome to Atlantic Capital Bank, Atlanta, Doug Williams, CEO, and WestSide Bank, Hiram, Tren Watson, CEO, as the latest banks to link to GBA’s website.  Please contact Lydia Thomas at (404) 420-2039 when your bank is ready to be linked.

Newsmakers:

Alpharetta - Integrity Bank Patrick M. Frawley has been named President and Chief Executive Officer of the bank and its holding company, Integrity Bancshares, Inc.  He has also been elected to the Board of Directors of both institutions. Atlanta - Midtown Bank & Trust Company Our sympathy to CEO Stan Kryder and his family on the recent death of his mother. Atlanta - The PrivateBank John Kirts and Susan Puryear have joined the bank as Associate Managing Directors. Dawsonville - Mountain State Bank Mark Diver has joined the bank as Assistant Vice President and Commercial Lender. Gainesville - Gainesville Bank & Trust The bank announces the establishment of the Richard A. Hunt Scholarship at Gainesville State College.  The scholarship was named to honor the 20th anniversary of Hunt, who currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of the bank’s holding company, GB&T Bancshares, Inc. Gainesville - Mountain Valley Community Bank Roger T. Lane, Larry Glover, and Jerry Freeman have joined the bank’s North Hall Board of Directors. Hiram - WestSide Bank Eric Lattimer has joined the bank as Vice President and Commercial Loan Officer. Ringgold - Northwest Georgia Bank Patten Smith has joined the bank as Vice President and Commercial Lender.

Kirts Diver

Puryear Hunt

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