Jan. 16, 2009  

Nearly 600 Bankers, Legislators Attend GBA Legislative Reception

A strong crowd of Georgia’s bankers and legislators attended the annual GBA Legislative Reception in Atlanta Jan. 14. The annual event is one of GBA’s key advocacy programs, honoring our state legislators and providing an opportunity for bankers to talk with their representatives about the issues that are important to our industry. We appreciate everyone’s attendance and support. “I’m sure there’s not one member of the General Assembly who isn’t hearing from his or her constituents about the current state of the economy and the banking industry,” said Steve Jordan, GBA Chairman and President and CEO, Bank of Monticello. “So, this event was a way for a large number of us to all gather under one

   roof to share information, ideas and concerns.” For more information about GBA’s Governmental Affairs efforts heading into the current General Assembly session, see the article below about our GBA Board and Public Affairs Committee meeting this week and the other article below about the first week's activities of the Legislature.

GBA Board of Directors Identifies Focus Areas for Industry Issues

The GBA Board of Directors is the policy-making body for the Georgia Bankers Association and is made up of 23 bankers from across Georgia representing a cross-section of our members. These 23 bankers are elected by the membership as a whole, represent their geographic group or are appointed by the Chairman. This week the Board met concurrently with the Public Affairs Committee and BankPAC Board and supported the following approaches outlined in the report on the state of the industry mentioned in an article below. In general, GBA encourages cooperation and work among banks, regulators, legislators and policymakers to:

  • Focus efforts on solving problems in the real estate market, helping banks appropriately manage problem loans and helping clear excess housing/lot inventory.

  • Focus efforts on regulating specific problematic products and services, not additional systemic regulation.

  • Focus efforts on maintaining efficiency in processes, minimizing increases in costs to banks and ensuring access to affordable banking products and services for consumers.

In addition, GBA will work with the appropriate parties to encourage action on the following issues identified as critical to those banks dealing with concentrations of credits in support of Georgia’s residential construction industry:

 

  • Review GAAP Allowance Methodology (FAS 114) interpretations to allow banks to establish reasonable values on real estate, which will result in less unrealized and unnecessary losses. (Financial Accounting Standards Board/Securities & Exchange Commission)

  • Define a consistent analysis of appraisals and establish a rationale for determining values in a more “normalized” environment. (Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council)

  • Relax the legislative and regulatory bias against brokered deposits and FHLB Advances. (Congress/FDIC)

  • Allow more flexibility in working with troubled real estate loans to give both the borrower and the bank more time to work out problem loans. (Department of Banking and Finance/FDIC/Comptroller of the Currency/Federal Reserve/Office of Thrift Supervision)

  • Strongly encourage Treasury to expedite CPP investments in more community banks and release the term sheets for mutual institutions to allow these institutions to participate in the program. (Treasury/Congress)

The Joint Meeting also focused on state legislative and regulatory issues.  Our thanks to a number of Legislators and others who spoke to the bankers assembled for this meeting: Senate Banking Committee Chairman, Bill Hamrick; House Banks and Banking Committee Chairman, James Mills; Sen. Ed Tarver; Sen. Chip Pearson; and from the Banking Department, George Reynolds and Judy Newberry.
GBA Publishes State of the Industry Report
In an effort to provide a comprehensive overview of the current environment for our state’s banks, we’ve put together a white paper for banks, policymakers, media and others interested in our industry. The paper chronicles the events of 2008, provides a look at the most currently available performance measures for our state’s banks and outlines some specific issues facing our banks that have heavy real estate concentrations. The report’s subtitle, “Stability for Most, Unprecedented Challenges for Some and Recommendations for Action” signals the intent to provide broad perspective as well as some ideas to further strengthen areas where the most significant problems are occurring.   “In a nutshell, the 24-page report says the economy and housing market continue to create a difficult environment for our banks. An unusually high number of our banks are struggling, but it is important perspective that a majority are operating in a well-capitalized and profitable manner. And, there are some targeted issues that banks, regulators and lawmakers can cooperate on that would provide help for the banks that are facing the most significant challenges,” said Joe Brannen, GBA President and CEO. With questions, contact Joe, 404.420.2026 or David Oliver, SVP-Communications and Marketing, 404.420.2036.
Legislature Convenes for 2009 Session
The Monday following the second Sunday of January came this week and with it, so did the returning and newly elected members of the Georgia General Assembly.  The first week of the session was spent mostly on administrative issues and hearing the Governor's dismal budget message. Much of the legislators' attention will be finding ways to reduce state spending by more than $2 billion. Committee appointments were announced and we will be working with a number of new members on the banking committees. In the House, Rep. Cecily Hill, already a member of the Banks and Banking Committee, was named Secretary. New members added are Stephen Allison, Toney Collins, Gloria Frazier, Buddy Harden, Rahn Mayo and Tom Weldon. New to the Senate Banking and Financial Institutions Committee is Dickie Crosby and Greg Goggins.    The House Judiciary Committee took up a major rewrite of the state evidence code this week. Of interest to our members is how imaged documents will be treated.  The House and Senate Economic Development Committees met jointly to discuss the state of the housing industry. Much of the discussion was about a proposed tax credit for purchasing new homes and regulatory burden relief for homebuilders. There still remains an undercurrent among some of those pressing for relief to want to blame the banks for getting more cautious with their lending to homebuilders. We will work closely with these committees so they will better understand the issues facing our banks focusing on the residential lending markets. The Legislature will be in recess next week in recognition of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday and for budget meetings.
Two Additional Georgia Banks Receive CPP Investments
Georgia’s Colony Bancorp, Fitzgerald, and the Queensborough Company, Louisville, this week received Capital Purchase Program investments. The investments were funded Jan. 9 and announced by Treasury Jan. 13. These investments bring the total number of Georgia Banks receiving CPP investments to seven. See the chart below.     GBA continues to emphasize these are investments by Treasury, with required payback to the government. We have also pressed Treasury, with support from some in our Congressional delegation, to act on the many Georgia community bank applications they have pending.

Georgia Banks Receiving
CPP investments

Amount

Date Funds Received

SunTrust Banks, Inc.

$3.5 billion, initial investment, $1.35 billion second request;

$4.85 billion total

11/14/2008-first investment, 12/31/2008 – second investment

Ameris Bancorp

$52 million

11/21/2008

United Community Banks, Inc.

$180 million

12/5/2008

Fidelity Southern Corp.

$48 million

12/12/2008

Synovus Financial Corp.

$973 million

12/19/2008

Colony Bancorp, Inc.

$28 million

1/9/2009

The Queensborough Company

$12 million

1/9/2009

Treasury Issues Term Sheets for Subchapter S Banks

Georgia’s 80 Subchapter S banks now know the terms and process for applying for Treasury’s Capital Purchase Program. Treasury published the term sheet and a FAQ Jan. 14. The application deadline is Feb. 13. In summary, the S corporation investments would take the form of 30-year subordinated debentures that would count toward bank capital and would be senior to any qualifying institution's common stock, Treasury said. The debentures would pay an interest rate of 7.7 percent per annum for the first five years, and then step up to 13.8 percent. Treasury’s terms are designed to allow application within the rules applying to Subchapter S organizations. For example, to preserve their status, S Corporations cannot,

  other restrictions, issue a second class of stock such as the preferred stock issued to Treasury by other qualified financial institutions under the Capital Purchase Program. These institutions cannot have more than 100 shareholders who, subject to limited exceptions, must be natural persons, not other companies or institutions. GBA continues to encourage more rapid deployment of CPP funds to Georgia’s banks, and this is a helpful step. We also strongly encourage clarification soon for a process that our seven mutual institutions can use to apply for funds if they are interested.
National Topic of the Week – TARP, TARP and more TARP

On the National scene this week, it seems like it was all TARP, all the time. President Bush, on behalf of President-elect Obama, requested Congressional release of the additional $350 billion in TARP Funds. Under the original legislation, unless Congress passes a resolution turning down the Jan.12 request for the funds within 15 days, the Treasury Department could use the money. On Thursday, the Senate defeated the resolution that would have prevented the release of the money; both Georgia Senators voted against releasing the additional money. While the House is expected to take up a similar measure, the money can be released with the support of only one body; and with the Senate action, that has been accomplished.  Late last week, House Financial Services Chairman Barney Frank (D-Mass.) introduced legislation outlining significant clarifications and guidelines for TARP recipients, and Frank’s committee held hearings this week to discuss the legislation and continued funding. ABA’s CEO Ed Yingling gave some particularly good and strong testimony during the hearing, including recommendations for clarifying CPP

  intentions and further use of funds, as well as a good discussion about bank lending levels. And, in a related issue, the FDIC issued a Financial Institution Letter that says state nonmember institutions should have a monitoring process to show how initiatives like the Treasury Department's Capital Purchase Program and the FDIC's Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program have helped support "prudent lending and/or supporting efforts to work with existing borrowers to avoid unnecessary foreclosures." GBA continues to monitor these developments, and also continues to stress that, for the CPP program to work most effectively, more of Georgia’s banks that have applied for the funding need to get approval and have their investments funded as soon as possible. With questions, contact Elizabeth Chandler, 404.420.2027, or Joe Brannen, 404.420.2026.
Georgia’s Westmoreland, Barney Frank Exchange TARP Concerns

Congressman Lynn Westmoreland of Georgia’s 3rd Congressional District sent a letter to House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank (D-Mass) urging more community bank access to Capital Purchase program funds. As a home builder by trade, Westmoreland outlined specific issues his industry is facing, including a statement that, "banks are not allowing the restructuring of loans, or allowing equity to be

  withdrawn from real estate.” Congressman Frank responded to the letter echoing the need to get CPP investment to more banks, as well as outlining some of the things to be included in his legislation, noted above. Click here for a file that includes both letters.
Debt Guarantee Program: Participants Must Report Monthly Debt Balance, says FDIC

Participants in the Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program's Debt Guarantee Program component are required to report on a monthly basis all FDIC-guaranteed debt outstanding in accordance with the signed master agreement, FDIC said in a Financial Institution Letter. The participating institutions also must indicate whether they have issued any non-guaranteed debt during the reporting period. Also, courtesy of the good attorneys at the Bryan Cave law firm (which now includes Powell Goldstein), please note the following clarifications about the Debt Guarantee Program, as cited on the firm’s Bank Bryan Cave web site. 

  • Lines of Credit are not Senior Unsecured Debt. Under the regulations, senior unsecured debt must have “a specified and fixed principal amount.”  (12 CFR 370.2(e)(1.) As a result, lines of credit are not eligible for an FDIC guarantee, and, should not be included in calculating the amount of senior unsecured debt outstanding at Sept. 30, 2008.
     

  • 2% of Liabilities Test is Only Available for Depository Institutions. If a bank holding company had no “senior

  

 

unsecured debt” outstanding at Sept. 30, 2008, (and remember that lines of credit are not included), then it’s maximum amount of guaranteed debt that can be issued is zero.  Only depository institutions themselves (and not their parent entities) can take advantage of the alternative cap of 2% of the total liabilities outstanding as of Sept. 30,2008.

  • Approvals to Establish or Increase a Debt Guarantee Cap will be “Very Rare.” The regulations provide a process for entities to establish or increase a debt guarantee cap.  However, we understand that all applications go to the highest levels of the FDIC in Washington DC, and there face high levels of scrutiny.  No timeframe has been provided, but given the level of scrutiny and DC review, bottlenecks are virtually guaranteed to develop.  We understand that the FDIC has lots of applications currently in the system, but the FDIC believes that approvals will be “very rare.”
Remote Deposit Capture: Guidelines Issued for Risk Management

There’s new guidance out about risk management programs for Remote Deposit Capture systems from the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council. The FDIC published a Financial Institution Letter highlighting the issues related to use of the Internet and protection of private personal information. The guidance also discusses the responsibilities of the board of

  directors and senior management in overseeing the development, implementation, and ongoing operation of Remote Deposit Capture. The letter also includes attachments to the full guidance.
Positive Perspective and Optimism Offered from GBA Associate Member

It’s a tough slog through the daily headlines and realities of today’s economy, so it’s no wonder that consumer confidence is lagging. However, we’ve talked a lot about the importance of also offering up solid, fact-based perspective about things. So, we thought you’d all be interested in an article by Brian Hamilton, CEO of Sageworks, a GBA Associate member. Hamilton notes current vs. historical trends in areas such as GDP growth, unemployment, personal income and inflation. For example, “personal income rose last quarter compared to a year ago according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.  Compared to five years ago, personal income has risen by 32.1%[1].  Even considering that inflation was 18.13% over this period, people are generally making more money than they used to.”

  

Not to suggest a Pollyannaish view, but the stats are at least a unique look at the bigger picture right now.


 [1] “Relation of Gross Domestic Product, Gross National Product, Net National Product, National Income, and Personal Income” (Table 1.7.5). Bureau of Economic Analysis, US Department of Commerce. Updated 25 November, 2008. http://www.bea.gov/national/nipaweb/TableView.asp?SelectedTable=43&Freq=Qtr&FirstYear=2006&LastYear=2008. 
Two GA Banks Recognized in Top 100 ROAA for Third Quarter

The American Banker newspaper published a list Jan. 14 of community banks and thrifts with the highest returns on average assets through the end of the third quarter.

  Bank of Dade, Mike Tate, CEO, Trenton, was No. 82, with a return on average assets of 2.64 percent. State Bank of Cochran, Cochran, Ernie Tripp, CEO, was No. 85, with a return on average assets of 2.63 percent. Congratulations to both.
Regulatory Update, ALCO Issues Slated for Financial Risk Management Conference

Terry Robertson, Head of Fixed Income Research, Morgan, Keegan & Company, Inc., will present a session examining various regulatory pronouncements affecting community banks with specific emphasis on their implications to the Asset/Liability Committee (ALCO) process and bank profitability at the GBA

    Financial Risk Management Conference. The conference is scheduled for Jan. 28-29 at the Cobb Galleria in Atlanta. Please call GBA’s Marybeth Jones at 404.420.2032 for details and registration information.
Debit-Card Fraud to Be Addressed at Annual Ops and Tech Conference

The Operations and Technology Conference is scheduled for March 4-5, 2009, at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta. Join Keith Blair, Account Executive with Visa, as he discusses debit-card fraud abatement and chargeback rights. Other topics on include technology trends, mobile devices and remote access best practices, BSA from a technology perspective, a regulatory update, and peer discussion. A block of rooms has been reserved at the Renaissance Waverly Hotel until Feb. 10.

   For hotel reservations, please call the hotel directly at 770.953.4500. For more information or to register, please contact Marybeth Jones at 404.420.2032.
HR Professionals Institute Scheduled for March 11-13 in Savannah

The annual HR Professionals Institute is scheduled for March 11-13, 2009 at the Savannah Riverfront Marriott. The 2008-2009 Human Resources Committee has planned an informative agenda. Topics include executive stress management, healthcare plans and how they are structured, resources for reducing financial stress for employees, how to adjust pay scales to get them in line, a legal update, and peer exchange. A block of rooms has been reserved until Feb. 10.

  For hotel reservations, please call the hotel directly at 912.233.7722. The brochure and registration form will be available soon. For more information, please call Marybeth Jones at 404.420.2032.
Attention H.R. Professionals: Free FMLA Regulations Telephone Briefing

The Department of Labor has issued new regulations that fundamentally change community bank obligations under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Those regulations, which impact most banks with 50 or more employees, go into effect on Jan. 16, 2009. Join Steve Greene, Helms & Greene, LLC and Marian Exall, Employment Law Compliance, Inc., in a free telephone briefing Jan. 16 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Steve and

  Marian will discuss the new eligibility standards, new documentation requirements, new notice obligations and military-leave definition. The new regulations affect who is eligible for leave, the methodology to evaluate leave requests and the required documentation. Although this is a free event for members, registration is required. For more information, please contact Marybeth Jones at 404.420.2032.

Last Call for Home Mortgage Disclosure Act and Community Reinvestment Act Workshop

There’s still time to register for GBA’s HMDA and CRA Workshop scheduled for Jan. 21 at Idle Hour Country Club in Macon. Led by Steve Moore with Bank Compliance Services, Avondale Estates, this one-day seminar is designed for compliance officers, loan officers and other bank personnel responsible for HMDA data collection and reporting. Topics to be   covered include the new changes for 2009, types of loan applications that are HMDA reportable, the regulatory consequences for non-compliance, “community development” loans and much more. With questions or to register, please contact GBA’s Courtenay Pope at 404.420.2015.
Fed Law Changes to be Covered at Bankruptcy, Garnishment, Liens & Levies Seminar

Recent legislation has created changes and modifications in Federal bankruptcy law. To keep you informed of these changes, GBA will host its Bankruptcy, Garnishment, Liens and Levies seminar Feb. 4 at Idle Hour Country Club in Macon. The registration fee is $225 per person. the Seminar is designed for collection officers, compliance officers and operation officers. Led

  by Gary Moser with Moser, Rose and Cox in Valdosta, this informational seminar will also address other changes and developments in the area of liens, levies and garnishments.  With questions or to register for the seminar, please contact GBA’s Courtenay Pope at 404.420.2015.
Learn Tips to Minimize Risk at Construction Lending Seminar Feb. 5

Don’t miss the opportunity to learn A-Z about construction lending Plan to attend GBA’s Construction Lending seminar scheduled for Feb. 5 at Idle Hour Country Club in Macon. Led by Roy Johnson with Capital City Bank & Trust Company, Atlanta, this seminar will help you understand the risks involved in

  construction lending and provide fundamental techniques to minimize those risks. Other topics to be covered include analyzing and underwriting the builder/developer and managing construction loan advances. With questions or to register, please contact Courtenay Pope at 404.420.2015.
Find out about the Latest Proposed IRA Changes at IRA Basics Seminar

Just a reminder that GBA’s annual IRA Basics seminar is just around the corner. We have two separate dates and locations for this one-day seminar; Feb. 11 at the Holiday Inn Lanier Centre in Gainesville and Feb. 12 at Idle Hour Country Club in Macon. Designed for new account representatives, certificate of deposit personnel and any officer/manager who oversees the IRA department, the seminar will be led by Patrice Konarik with Sunwest Training Corp. in Gilchrist, TX.

  This comprehensive workshop will provide you with a complete understanding of the IRA as well as a review of significant proposed changes. The seminar also includes the 225-page IRA Training and Reference Manual, otherwise known as the “IRA Survival Guide” or the “Red Book”. With questions, please contact GBA’s Courtenay Pope at 404.420.2015.
Leaders, Share Your Success Stories at Leadership GBA Peer Group

Do you want to get training that helps you deal with today’s hot issues? Want to share AND get some great ideas that could work in your bank? If so, the Leadership GBA Peer Group is for you. Designed for Leadership GBA Representatives or those who have decided to make banking their career, the Peer Group can forge professional relationships with your peers and can help you

  and your bank be successful. Come join us for our organizational meeting Wednesday, Feb. 25, at Idle Hour Country Club in Macon. With questions about the Leadership GBA Peer Group Meeting or Leadership GBA in general, please call GBA’s Susie McGehee at 404.420.2010 or Jennifer Stevens at 404.420.2024.
Congratulations to the AIB Classroom STAR Students

GBA has a “STAR Student” program to recognize outstanding academic excellence in the AIB classroom courses. This award is given to the student in class with the highest overall academic average and strong classroom participation. Congratulations to the STAR Students for courses completed in Fall 2008:

  
Space Available in Analyzing Financial Statements Classroom Course

AIB Analyzing Financial Statements will be offered again beginning Jan. 27 for 10 weeks. This class will be taught by Peter Faser of Security Bank at Georgian Bank, Atlanta. Class will meet every Tuesday from 6 -9 p.m. ending March 24.

  The registration fee is $270 and includes the cost of the textbook. 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.
New Instructor-Led, Advanced AIB Online Courses

The following instructor-led AIB online classes begin the week of Feb. 9. 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.)

  

There is still availability in the following AIB Online classes beginning Feb. 2. Please register as soon as possible to secure a seat in the class.

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 Robbery Preparedness, Lending, Compliance Webinars Today

Just a reminder that GBA will offer the following webinars the week of Jan. 19:

   All webinars are live and allow time for questions and answers. The $250 registration fee gives you access to one web site “seat,” one telephone site license and all handout materials. If you can’t attend the webinar, you may buy the audio CD, handout materials and a password to see the information online. With questions, please call GBA’s Courtenay Pope at 404.420.2015.
Free Workshops about Guaranteed Housing Loans

Learn more about guaranteed housing loans by attending these USDA Rural Development’s FREE Guaranteed Housing Loan workshops:

  • Dublin: Jan. 21 from 10 am – 12 pm.
    Contact Deborah Pennington at 478.552.0901.

  • Lincolnton: Jan. 29 from 10 am – 12 pm.
    Lincoln Center, 106 May Avenue Lincolnton GA. 30817.
    Contact Roger Jenkins at 706.595.1339, ext. 4.
Increase Profits with Existing Loan Portfolios, Increase Capital for Clients

In the current banking climate and economy, two realities exist. First, some banks are attempting to diversify loan portfolios away from real estate. Second, capital is constrained for small and mid cap businesses. FTRANS has developed a program that meets these needs for banks as well as their business customers. For banks, FTRANS has created a program that enables banks to immediately increase profits within existing commercial and business loan portfolios, achieve ongoing profit improvement and establish a sustainable program for increased lending to small- to medium-sized businesses. This is achieved by providing banks with enhanced portfolio visibility and stability through real-time 

  collateral monitoring as well as reduced collateral risk with credit protection. For the bank’s clients, FTRANS provides a program that supports commercial lending to small and mid-cap businesses. FTRANS outsources the bank’s clients’ accounts receivable in order to make this transparent and lendable collateral for the bank. The bank’s clients find significant benefit in more capital availability and a faster cash cycle at cost-effective rates. For more information please contact FTRANS’ Jim Lester at 678.268.4039 or GBA’s Levi Crabtree at 404.420.2022.
Develop and Retain Your Company’s Top Employees

Now more than ever it’s time to make sure you hang on to your top talent and pay special attention to developing the entire team. With TalentQuest, building, developing and retaining an "all-star" team will position your organization to capitalize on opportunities that will undoubtedly exist when the economy begins to recover. A comprehensive, carefully structured talent management program can provide better visibility into top, mid-level, and low-performing employees, enabling a financial institution to manage them accordingly. In addition, companies can more effectively source high-quality candidates, develop and retain the top talent they already have, and build more reliable succession plans. And, as the most successful organizations know, having the best people isn’t simply an ideal; it is a competitive necessity and one of few true differentiators. So how do financial institutions 

  accomplish this? TalentQuest, for Financial Services, integrates standardized job descriptions, competency models and Peak Performer Profiles into a talent management system designed to guide financial institutions through each stage of the employee lifecycle. Now more than ever, it is crucial to ensure you have the right people in the right places and that your top talent is fully engaged. Doing so will help you gain efficiencies, which will ultimately help you outperform your competitors in 2009 and beyond. For more information, please contact TalentQuest’s Jon Naphin at 404.965.5221.
Find a Job, Post a Job with 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 call Kenyetta Parks at 404.420.2035.

Make Money, Save Money With GBA Services, Inc. Offerings

Bond and D&O Insurance

Holiday Decals

Checking Club Programs

Human Resources Solutions
Community Reinvestment Act

Job Bank

CRM

Marketing & Sales

Discounted Check Program

Non-Qualified Executive Benefits (BOLI)

Discounted Local & Long Distance Program

Pledging Pool Program
Federal Flood Certification Corp.

Record Retention Guide

Financial Industry Pre-Employment Assessments

Senior Housing Crime Prevention Foundation

FinCrime

Strunk & Associates, L.P.

Financial Marketing Solutions (FMS)

Thumbprint Signature Program

Georgia Financial Directory

Trust and Investment Services

Georgia Law Code Book
 
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.
Read All About It -- Send Us Your News

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. 

  We want to share your news with your colleagues across the state.  Please forward your announcements and photos to GBA's Lydia Thomas.
Newsmakers
 		    
Atlanta - The Buckhead Community Bank
 Tawanna Robinson and Judy Lerch have been promoted to Assistant Vice Presidents.

Atlanta - Porter Keadle Moore, LLP
Congratulations to the partners and staff on being named the second best mid-sized accounting firm to work for in the nation by Accounting Today and Best Companies Group. The firm was also recently named one of the nation's most "Psychologically Healthy Workplaces" by the American Psychological Association - the only accounting firm to ever receive the honor.

Augusta - Bank of America
Ora Parish has been named President for the Augusta-Aiken market and Tara T. Stephens has been named Market President for Augusta.

Cumming - The Forsyth Community Bank
Laura McClure has been promoted to Vice President.

Fayetteville - Southern Community Bank
The bank announces the following promotions: Jessica Richards to First Vice President, Deposit Operations; Lisa Watkins to Vice President, Human Resources; Helen Defoe-Paul to Vice President to Credit Administration; April Brackett to Assistant Vice President, Deposit Operations; Denise Stringer to Assistant Vice President, Credit Support Manager; Mathis Coxon to Assistant Vice President, Credit Administration; and Brooke Byrd to Assistant Personnel Officer.

Marietta - Bank of North Georgia
Our sympathies to the family, friends and colleagues of Ron King on his recent death.

Perry - PlantersFIRST
Congratulations to Linda Hunt for winning 3rd prize in Fidelity Information Systems' (FIS) End User Marketing Vegas Vacation employee incentive campaign. The campaign was designed to reward employees for opening Internet Banking Bill Pay accounts.

  

Parish


Robinson
Stephens


Lerch


PlantersFIRST's William Bailey presenting award to Linda Hunt

Calendar of Events
Details for January & February

 

Conferences

 
Jan. 28-29 Financial Risk Management Conference Atlanta
March 4-5 Operations and Technology Conference Atlanta
March 11-13 HR Professionals Institute Savannah
April 2-3 Security Conference Savannah
May 14-15 Rural Development and Lending Conference Savannah
July 12-15 Leadership Conference Amelia Island, FL
     

Conventions/Events

 
Apr. 29 Georgia BankPAC Golf Classic Valdosta
June 14-17 Annual Convention Colorado Springs, CO
     
 

Schools

 
May 3-8 Georgia Banking School Athens
 

 

 
 

Seminars

 
Jan. 16 New FMLA Regulations Telephone Briefing (Complimentary) Telephone
Jan. 20 Preventing Crisis through Foresight,
Planning and Prioritizing		 Webinar
Jan. 21 BSA/AML Compliance Macon
Jan. 21 Lending to Non-Profit Organizations Webinar
Jan. 21 Managing Credit Risk with Effective Stress Testing Webinar
Jan. 21 Robbery Preparedness Webinar
Jan. 22 Dealing with Subpoenas, Summonses,
Garnishments & Tax Levies		 Webinar
Jan. 22 HMDA + CRA Workshop Macon
Jan. 22 Regulation Z – Part 1: New Advertising Rules Webinar
Jan. 22 Successful Loan Collections, FACTA Compliance, & Negotiations in a Down Market Webinar
Jan. 26 RESPA Revisions: Review & Impact Analysis Webinar
Jan. 27 Employee Investigations Macon
Jan. 27 Safe Deposit Disaster/Liability Webinar
Jan. 29 Frontline Deposit Compliance, Pt. 1: Required Disclosures at Account Opening Webinar
Jan. 29 What's New and Important in the Compliance and Legal World? An Update Webinar
Jan. 30 Loan Documentation 101: Part 2: Lien Perfection:
Getting it Right		 Webinar
Feb. 2 Effective Compliance with Proposed Appraisal Guidelines Webinar
Feb. 3 Basic Cash Flow Analysis Webinar
Feb. 3 Loan Documentation 101, Part 3: Reviewing Collateral Files Webinar
Feb. 4 Avoiding Losses on U.S. Treasury Checks Webinar
Feb. 4 Bankruptcy, Garnishment, Liens & Levies Macon
Feb. 5 Construction Lending Macon
Feb. 5 Frontline Deposit Compliance, Pt. 2: Frequently
Asked Questions & Common Errors		 Webinar
Feb. 10 AML & OFAC Compliance – The Rules, Gray
Areas, and Developments		 Webinar
Feb. 10 Robbery Preparedness for All Personnel Webinar
Feb. 11 IRA: The Basics Gainesville
Feb. 12 IRA: The Basics Macon
Feb. 12 Call Report Preparation, Pt.1: Call Report
Revisions & Update		 Webinar
Feb. 18 Reporting Your Credit Data, METRO2,
E-OSCAR & Compliance		 Webinar
Feb. 18 New CTR Filing Exemption Rules Webinar
Feb. 18 You're Fired: Employee Termination Webinar
Feb. 19 Motivating & Managing the Teller Line Webinar
Feb. 19 Power of Attorney & Living Trust Documents Webinar
Feb. 19 Regulation Z – Part 2: Limitations & Prohibited
Acts & Practices		 Webinar
Feb. 24 Consumer Lending Requirements in a New Compliance Age – Making Sure You’re Set Webinar
Feb. 25 Appraisal Review for Residential Mortgage Decisions Webinar
Feb. 25 Environmental Risk Management Webinar
Feb. 26 Call Report Preparation, Pt. 2: Call Report
Lending Schedules		 Webinar
Feb. 26 Legal Issues Involved in Collection Webinar
Mar. 4 Collections and Recovery Macon
Mar. 18 Analyzing Personal Financial Statements Macon
Apr. 8 Loan Documentation for Lenders: Understanding Loan Documentation and the Condition of the Collateral, the Title and the Borrowers and Guarantors Macon
Apr. 14-15 Analyzing Commercial Financial Statements Macon
Apr. 28 Legal Issues of New Account Documentation & Compliance Gainesville
Apr. 29 Legal Issues of New Account Documentation & Compliance Macon
May 13 Internal Audit Macon
June 3 Call Reporting Macon
   
  American Institute of Banking (AIB)  
Ongoing AIB Online Courses Online
Ongoing AIB Online - Instructor-led Online
     
  AIB Classroom Courses  
Jan. 20 Analyzing Financial Statements Atlanta
     
Board/Committee Meetings  
Jan. 15 Leadership GBA Executive Committee Atlanta
     
  Roundtables/Peer Groups  
Feb. 25 Leadership GBA Peer Group Meeting Macon
Mar. 4 President/CEO Roundtable, Group 5 Macon
Mar. 5 President/CEO Roundtable, Group 4 Macon
Mar. 6 President/CEO Roundtable, Group 2 Macon
Mar. 20 President/CEO Roundtable, Group 1 Macon
Mar. 25 Finance/Operations Roundtable, Group A Macon
Mar. 26 Finance/Operations Roundtable, Group B Macon
Mar. 27 Finance/Operations Roundtable, Group C Macon
Aug. 5 President/CEO Roundtable, Group 5 Macon
Aug. 6 President/CEO Roundtable, Group 4 Macon
Aug. 7 President/CEO Roundtable, Group 2 Macon
Aug. 21 President/CEO Roundtable, Group 1 Macon
Oct. 21

Finance/Operations Roundtable, Group A

 Macon
Oct. 22

Finance/Operations Roundtable, Group B

 Macon
Oct. 23

Finance/Operations Roundtable, Group C

 Macon
Nov. 4

President/CEO Roundtable, Group 5

 Macon
Nov. 5 President/CEO Roundtable, Group 4 Macon
Nov. 6 President/CEO Roundtable, Group 2 Macon
Nov. 20 President/CEO Roundtable, Group 1 Macon
 
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