We need all hands on deck to help educate our House and Senate members about the significant concerns we have about proposed legislation related to payment-card interchange rates (H.R. 5546, S. 3086). Proposals in the legislation would establish a new government bureaucracy to set artificial price caps on interchange rates. We feel strongly that the effect of this legislation would serve only to benefit merchants’ bottom lines at the expense of our banks rather than serving consumers, as the merchants claim. Merchants pay only a penny or two on every dollar processed through the payment system, a great deal considering that financial institutions bear the risk that consumers will not pay, the risk of fraud, the costs of developing relationships with consumers, putting cards into circulation, and building and maintaining the enormous and complicated

Georgia’s new gun law (HB 89) that permits licensed gun owners to carry concealed firearms in parks, on public transportation and in restaurants that serve liquor took effect July 1, and there’s been a lot of press coverage about it during the past couple of days. Also at issue is the recent ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court declaring that an individual’s right to own hand guns is protected by the Second Amendment. Several members have called asking if either of these changes would require banks to amend their current policies.  Our understanding is that neither should have much effect and a quick survey of a few of our

GBA members make up a hefty portion of the top 100 performing public companies in Georgia according to a recent Atlanta Journal Constitution ranking. It’s good news that 15 of our member companies are in the top 100.

Congratulations to The Buckhead Community Bank, its employees and Marvin Cosgray, President and CEO, on being named Atlanta’s best place to work by Atlanta Magazine. The bank topped the list of 40 Atlanta companies that included several law firms, public relations firms, hospitals, accounting firms, radio stations and other service providers. It was the only bank that made the list. “We have always aimed to create a company where people are invested in their jobs, and we have made it a priority to keep our employees passionate about what they do,” Marvin said. “For 10 years, we have upheld the belief that putting employee welfare first is one of the most important things a company can do. I learned a long time ago that if your people are happy, the customers are too.” The magazine’s methodology focused on employee benefits, salaries and turnover – factors that turn up frequently in answers to the question, “Do you love your job?”

If you are one of many Leadership Conference attendees, please be sure to exercise your right to vote in this year’s primary election before leaving for Ponte Vedra.  The election is scheduled for Tuesday, July 15, which is during this year’s conference.  To vote early, you have two options.  You may request that an absentee ballot be mailed to you, which you may complete and mail back to your country registrar’s office.

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

• Financial Accounting*, 16 weeks, $485

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

• Marketing Financial Services, 16 weeks, $385

• 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 July 21. 

• Consumer Lending, 16 weeks, $385

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

• Money & Banking, 16 weeks, $385

• 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 Alison Moreau at 404.420.2034 with questions.

AIB classes meet three hours each week for two 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 Alison Moreau at 404.420.2034.  Here are the upcoming AIB classroom courses for Fall 2008:

• Economics for Bankers taught by Cassie Parker of McIntosh State Bank, McDonough
  Beginning  August 18, 10 weeks, $195, text $79

• Principles of Banking taught by Michelle Collings of Georgian Bank, Atlanta
  Beginning September 11, 10 weeks, $195, text $65

Just a reminder that GBA will offer the following webinars during the week of July 14:

• Fair Credit Reporting Act – July 15

• Train the Trainer – July 15

• Microsoft Excel 2007- Tips & Tricks – July 16

• Becoming an Exceptional Supervisor – July 17

Make sure you have the most current reference book about Georgia’s banking laws and commercial code. The GBA has a few remaining 2007 Georgia Banking and Commercial Code books. These are the same books carried by the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance examiners.

We appreciate everyone’s attention to this year’s Salary Survey and would like to remind those who are still working on inputting their data that the deadline has been extended to July 18.  With your participation, we will be able to provide a comprehensive Survey providing salary and benefit data from the financial institutions throughout the state of Georgia. 

Some of the Services Available Through GBA Services, Inc.

Please remember to include the Georgia Bankers Association on the list of recipients for announcements about promotions, new employees and special recognition your bank has received. 

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Georgia Bankers Association • 50 Hurt Plaza, Suite 1050, Atlanta, GA 30303 • Phone 404.522.1501 • Fax 404.522.9848 • www.gabankers.com