Last Call for Group 7, 9, 10 and 5 Meetings
There’s still time to register for Group 7, 9, 10 and 5 Meetings scheduled for the week of September 10.  The meetings for Group 7, slated for September 12 in Cartersville, and Group 9 for September 13 in Gainesville, will begin with a cocktail reception at 5:00 p.m. followed by brief remarks from your Group Chair, GBA’s Chairman Jim Williams, President and CEO of Citizens Bank & Trust Company in Eastman, and GBA staff.  The evening will conclude with a buffet dinner at 6:45 p.m.  The Group 10 Meeting planned for September 13 in Athens and the Group 5 Meeting planned for September 14 in Atlanta will be luncheon meetings.  These two meetings begin with a reception at 11:30 a.m. with lunch being served at noon.  The program will immediately follow lunch with adjournment around 1:30 p.m.  With questions, contact GBA’s Susie McGehee at (404) 420-2010.

Monday Evening Event at President/CEO and Bank Counsel Conferences
Registrations are coming in at a steady pace for the President/CEO and Bank Counsel Conferences.  The Community Bankers Committee and the Bank Counsel Section have both planned excellent programs that will provide timely information at a great location.  This year, the Federal Home Loan Bank, Synovus Financial Corp. and Synovus Financial Institutions Group will host an Old Fashioned Barbecue on Monday evening, October 8, at the East Farm Barn at Callaway Gardens.  Transportation to the event will be available in front of the hotel at 6:30 p.m.  Our guaranteed room block expires September 7 so make your reservations today by calling The Lodge and Spa at Callaway Gardens directly at (800) 225-5292.  Please call GBA’s Susie McGehee at (404) 420-2010 with questions about the Conference.

State of Mortgage Industry
The upheaval in the mortgage industry was on the minds of Congress this week.  The House Financial Services Committee held a hearing this week on the mortgage markets.  Comptroller of the Currency John Dugan told the Committee the worst of the problems occurred outside the banking industry, which has remained safe and sound despite the challenging credit and mortgage markets.  FDIC Chairman Sheila Bair said that while regulators and others “…recognized the changing nature of the mortgage lending industry, it is fair to say that the regulatory community, ratings firms, and others in the industry failed to fully appreciate the depth of the underwriting problems and the severity of subprime payment resets.”  Georgia has three members on the Committee:  David Scott (D-Atlanta), Tom Price (R-Roswell), and Jim Marshall (D-Macon).  In an interview with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution each took a substantially different approach to a solution.

Farm Bill in Committee Soon
The Senate Agriculture Committee is expected to consider its version of the 2007 Farm Bill the week of September 17.  GBA has been focusing on the provisions in the bill relating to the expansion of the Farm Credit System’s (FCS) commercial and mortgage lending.  GBA continues to hear stories from our members about lax regulatory oversight of the current restrictions and believes an expansion of their authority is unwarranted.  The FCS has ratcheted up their grassroots networks to keep their expansionist provisions in the Senate bill hoping to go to conference with the House, which deleted their plans for that version of the bill.  Georgia’s Sen. Saxby Chambliss is the ranking member of the committee and we encourage our members to share your concerns with him.

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

• Len Dorminey, CEO, HeritageBank of the South, Albany

• Rick Whaley, CEO, The Citizens Bank of Americus

• Bill Lumpkin, CEO, First Commerce Community Bank, Douglasville

• Gary McGaha, CEO, Southern Community Bank, Fayetteville

• Chuck Beard, CEO, Commercial Banking Company, Valdosta

• Gary Pannell, Attorney, Miller, Hamilton, Snider & Odom, L.L.C., Atlanta

The officers, directors, and staff of HeritageBank of the South, Albany, Len Dorminey, CEO, have contributed to the GBA FedPAC.  Thanks for your support.  If you need the campaign information sent to you again or have any questions, please call Elizabeth Chandler at (404) 420-2027.  Click here for this week's BankPAC Update.

Seventh Annual BankPAC Classic
Registrations are coming in at a steady pace for Leadership GBA’s seventh annual Georgia BankPAC Classic.  This two-man scramble tournament will be held on Wednesday, October 24, at The Club at River Forest in Forsyth.  The registration for this event is $300 per two-man team or $150 per person.  The fee includes greens fees, cart, range balls, lunch and a reception.  This event is a great opportunity to invite your legislators and directors to meet your colleagues in the banking industry across the state.  Proceeds will go to the GBA’s State Political Action Committee.  Please call GBA’s  Susie McGehee at (404) 420-2010 or Jennifer Stevens at (404) 420-2010 with questions.  Register now for this fun event and a chance to win the Georgia BankPAC trophy.

Space Available at Compliance Seminars
There is still time to register for GBA’s annual Basic Deposit and Operations Compliance and Basic Loan Compliance seminars scheduled in September at the Ramada Plaza in Macon.  The instructor for both seminars will be Steve Moore of Bank Compliance Services, LLP, Avondale Estates.   The Basic Deposit and Operations Compliance seminar is scheduled for September 18.  This one day seminar will dispel the mystery and confusion created by the “legalese” and sheer volume of bank regulation in the area of deposit and operations compliance.  Basic compliance audit and review principles will also be covered.  The Basic Loan Compliance seminar will be held on September 19 and 20.  This one and a half day seminar will provide an in-depth overview of loan compliance and will cover basic compliance requirements and common problem areas.  Several “real-world” case studies will also be reviewed.  With questions, please call GBA’s Courtenay Pope at (404) 420-2015.

Georgia Banking School Special!
The annual “Early Bird Special” is now available to first year students who register for the Georgia Banking School before January 1, 2008.  See the flyer to save $125.  Call GBA’s Marybeth Jones at (404) 420-2032 for details.

Get Smart About Credit Day–October 18
Young people need to know how to use credit wisely.  The choices they make with their first credit card will impact their lives years later when they apply for a car loan or even a mortgage.  So, to raise awareness among teens and young adults about the importance of credit smarts, the ABA Education Foundation will again sponsor Get Smart About Credit Day on October 18.  On this date, bankers will go to classrooms, connect with youth groups, and visit college campuses to help young people in the community get smart about credit now, so they can make smart financial choices later in life.  As a community leader, you can help young people learn the dos and don’ts of credit.  Participation is easy.  Just contact your local high school, youth groups, or college and schedule a credit presentation for Get Smart About Credit Day.  The ABA Education Foundation has created an excellent resource kit that contains everything you need for your presentation.  Included in the kit are a video, lesson plans, hands-on activities and worksheets that youth can relate to.  To order your resource kit, simply call the ABA at 1-800-BANKERS or visit ABA’s website.  Registration for Get Smart About Credit Day 2007 is also now open on ABA’s website.  After you sign up, you'll have access to useful planning tools, handouts for teachers and parents, a customizable Certificate of Participation, and more.  With questions about the kit or the program, please call GBA’s Jennifer Stevens at (404) 420-2024 or Susie McGehee at (404) 420-2010.  Plan today to make a difference in the future of your community’s young people.

Marketing Conference Scheduled
GBA’s annual Marketing Conference will be held November 1-2 at The King & Prince Beach and Golf Resort on St. Simons Island.  This year’s theme is “Marketing Toolbox:  A Blueprint for Success.”  The “blueprint” includes sessions on understanding your customer and market, developing effective advertising and PR communications, aligning goals with senior management, and measurement.  The conference will offer attendees the tools needed to succeed.  A highlight of the conference will be the marketing budget panel discussion with four bankers from institutions ranging from $100 million to $1 billion plus.  We have also built in time for the ever-popular peer group discussions to make it a conference you cannot afford to miss.  A block of rooms has been reserved at The King & Prince until October 1^st.  Please call the hotel directly at (912) 638-3631 for reservations.  Call Marybeth Jones at (404) 420-2032 for information or to register.

Credit Conference Set for November
GBA’s Credit Conference is scheduled for November 28-29 at the Cobb Galleria in Atlanta.  Alex Sheshunoff,  President, Alex Sheshunoff & Partners, will deliver the keynote address.  General sessions include an economic forecast, peer discussions and a regulatory update.  In addition, there will be two sets of concurrent sessions highlighting major topics of interest to bank lenders.  More information on these sessions will be available soon.  Thanks to 2007-2008 Credit Committee Chair Rick Drews, CEO of Century Bank of Georgia, 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 at (770) 955-3900.  The brochure will be mailed soon.  For more details or to register, please call GBA’s Marybeth Jones at (404) 420-2032.

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.

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

• Bank Secrecy Act for Frontline Personnel – September 10

• The New Military Payday Lending Regulation: How It Impacts Your Institution – September 11

• Understanding Signature Cards & Account Agreements – September 12

• Everything You Need to Know to Develop, Maintain & Audit ARM Disclosures – September 13

Fall 2007 AIB Classroom Courses
Here are the AIB classroom courses for Fall 2007.  AIB classes meet 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.

• Principles of Banking, taught by Denny Donegan at First Bank of Dalton, Dalton
  Beginning September 10, 10 weeks, $195, text $65

• Economics for Bankers, taught by Todd Pence of Gateway Bank and Trust, Ringgold
  Beginning September 10, 10 weeks, $195, text $79

• Supervision, taught by Denny Donegan at Northside Bank, Adairsville
  Beginning September 13, 15 weeks, $295, text $75

• Economics for Bankers, taught by Kevin Taylor of Northwest Georgia Bank, Ringgold
  Beginning September 20, 10 weeks, $195, text $79

• Analyzing Financial Statements taught by Peter Faser of Security Bank at CornerstoneBank, Atlanta
  Beginning September 25, 10 weeks, $195; text $75

Register Today for AIB Online Courses
Just a reminder that the following AIB Online classes begin on October 1.  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

• Banking Today, 5 weeks, $295

• Economics for Bankers, 16 weeks, $385

• Financial and Business Planning for Bank Marketers*, 9 weeks, $295

• Money & Banking, 16 weeks, $385

• Principles of Banking, 16 weeks, $385

• Supervisor Certificate, 16 weeks, $695

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

There is still availability in the following AIB Online classes beginning September 24.  Please register as soon as possible to secure a seat in the class.

• Analyzing Bank Performance, 7 weeks, $745

• Consumer Lending, 16 weeks, $385

• General Accounting*, 16 weeks, $485

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

• Marketing Financial Services, 16 weeks, $385

• 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.

Strengthen Customer Ties at Your Bank
Harland Clarke, a GBA Strategic Partner, is a leading provider of checks and related products, contact center services, e-commerce, and direct response marketing solutions to financial institutions throughout the U.S.  Annually, Harland Clarke produces more than 10 billion checks and deposit tickets in a variety of formats through a network of sixteen electronically linked manufacturing facilities and customer service centers across the nation. Harland Clarke provides valuable products and services that meet your customers’ unique needs.  From multiple convenience channels such as Internet and phone to targeted marketing to individual account holders, their innovative technologies are taking customer relationships to new heights.  Harland Clarke’s vision is “to be the premier resource for our partners in the delivery of passionate customer care” by helping their partners attract, grow, and retain profitable customer relationships built on the checking account.  For more information, please contact Harland Clarke’s Pat McMahon at (800) 382-0818, ext. 2823, or GBA’s Chad Wilson at (404) 420-2022.

Overdraft Privilege Program
Established in 1976 by Chairman William H. Strunk, Strunk and 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 Bob Shifflett at (540) 828-3314, or GBA’s Chad Wilson at (404) 420-2022.

Talent Management
TalentQuest is an online talent management system and a Strategic Partner of the Georgia Bankers Association.  TalentQuest specializes in consulting services to assist banks in selecting, managing, developing and retaining the best employees at all levels of the organization. For more information, please contact Jon Naphin at (404) 965-5221 or 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.

Newsmakers:

Alpharetta - Security Bank of North Fulton Tabitha Wilkie has been promoted to Chief Financial Officer. Atlanta - The Buckhead Community Bank Congratulations to CEO Marvin Cosgray, President John Scherer, the officers, directors and staff on the recent opening of The Cobb Community Bank, Atlanta. Chickamauga - Bank of Chickamauga Scott E. Carswell was recently named President and Chief Executive Officer, and Gary Woods was promoted to Executive Vice President and Branch Manager.  Harry Kythas, Vice President and Comptroller, has been named Secretary to the bank’s Board of Directors.  Ronald G. Hill, Charles A. Berry, Michael S. Wright, Douglas Hertha, and Scott E. Carswell have been appointed to the Board to replace retiring Directors J. Archer Glenn, Elder G. Glenn, Jr. and N. Collins Wright. Claxton - The Claxton Bank Jamey Durrence has joined the bank as Vice President, Commercial Lender and Chief Business Development Officer. Decatur - Decatur First Bank Wilbur (Bill) G. Kurtz, III was recently elected to the bank’s Board of Directors and that of the bank’s holding company, Decatur First Bank Group, Inc. Gainesville - Gainesville Bank & Trust Thomas Kimsey has been promoted to Vice President, Commercial Lending at Southern Heritage Bank, a division of Gainesville Bank & Trust. Vienna - Bank of Dooly Our sympathies to CEO Neil Joiner and his family on the recent death of his father, George Joiner. Wilkie   Durrence   Kimsey

L to R: Gary Woods, Scott E.Carswell & Harry Kythas L to R: Ronald G Hill, Charles A. Berry, Michael S. Wright, Douglas Hertha & Scott Carswell L to R: Elder G. Glenn, Jr., J. Archer Glenn, Michael S. Wright, N. Collins Wright & Daniel Brinks

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