National Teach Children to Save Day, April 22, 2004
Sponsored by Leadership GBA
There’s no doubt about it– the need for financial education is greater than ever.  Recognition of this fact continues to gain public attention at the local, state and national levels.  The ABA Education Foundation, along with Leadership GBA, is again taking steps to lead kids on the path to a positive financial future. 

On Thursday, April 22, 2004, bankers nationwide will speak at local elementary, middle and high schools to teach students the importance of saving money on National Teach Children to Save Day.  “There is a great need for financial education and the responsibility of providing it must be shared among parents, teachers and members of the financial community,” said D. Copeland, President of Leadership GBA.  “If we don’t take this responsibility seriously, our children will grow up to be financially illiterate adults.  Let’s do as much as we can on National Teach Children to Save Day to ensure that children learn this important life skill.”

On April 22, bankers across the country will make presentations to students in kindergarten through 12^th grade.  Their presentations will include discussions, games and activities about money and savings.  Kids will learn how interest makes money grow, how to budget and how to determine needs and wants.  Please join your colleagues in reaching even more students and make this one of the most successful educational events in ABA and GBA history. 

To help you prepare for a presentation, the ABA Education Foundation has created a turnkey resource kit that is easy to use and cost-effective.  Included in the kit are lesson plans for grades K-12, age appropriate activities, a quiz for parents and Web site suggestions.  To order your resource kit, simply call the ABA at 1-800-BANKERS, (catalog #889390) or visit the ABA website. 

If you have any questions, feel free to call Kim Brannen, PEP Chairman at (912) 489-8661 or GBA’s Susie McGehee at (404) 420-1020.

2004 Conference Highlights
Plans are well under way for the 44^th  Annual Leadership Conference.  This year’s conference will be held on July 18-21, 2004 at the Hilton Oceanfront Resort on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.  The program will feature great sessions on E-banking, Identity Theft, strategic planning, leadership and as always an economic and legislative update.  Take advantage of this excellent opportunity to learn and network with your peers.  Registration materials will be mailed in April.

STOP IT! Identity Theft Campaign Going Strong
On September 4, the Georgia Bankers Association announced a major initiative to warn Georgians about the fastest growing consumer crime in the nation:  Identity Theft.  GBA Chairman Ed Milligan, Chairman and CEO of Main Street Banks, Inc., Atlanta, challenged our members to join him as we undertake efforts to heighten awareness of the problem through the statewide STOP I.T.! public awareness campaign.  The theme of the campaign is “Let us help…we’re all in this together.” 

The campaign is designed to give you the tools necessary to help your customers avoid becoming an ID Theft victim and resources to use if they become a victim.  It is coordinated by Leadership GBA through the Personal Economics Program (PEP).  STOP I.T.! campaign  kits, containing all the materials needed to get started, were mailed to all CEOs in late September 2003.  Giving an Identity Theft presentation to a group in your community is an excellent way for you and your bank to increase your PEP contacts.  When you return from your presentation, simply complete a PEP Report Card.  If you have not received a kit or have questions about the campaign, please call GBA’s Susie McGehee at (404) 420-2010. With this useful information, we hope you will help consumers take action in this effort to protect themselves and stop identity theft!

PEP Reporting: Let’s Do More in 2004
We know how committed you are to educating your communities.  Yet you do it with little fanfare, while other organizations proclaim style over substance and gain recognition. It’s high time that bankers get more recognition!  To capitalize on the success of National Teach Children to Save Day and financial literacy in general, ABA is rolling out the “Let’s Do More in 2004” challenge to encourage bankers to increase and report their current education efforts 10 per cent or make at least one financial literacy presentation this year – an increase of 100 per cent.  The first 1,000 banks that commit to participate will be recognized in ABA Banker News and on www.aba.com. 

Our 2003-2004 PEP goal is to make at least 60,000 contacts. We are off to a great start, but to achieve this goal by the deadline date of June 1, we need your help. It’s easy to ensure that you and/or your bank are given the credit it’s due.  When you return from a visit to your local school or other group presentations, simply complete a PEP Report Card.  Take a few minutes to complete this form and let the GBA and the ABA Education Foundation know that your bank is willing to do more in 2004 to help provide financial literacy in your community.  You may also earn an Outstanding PEP Award for yourself and/or your bank.  PEP materials and brochures to assist you with your presentations are also available through GBA and ABA.  Topics include personal financial management, credit responsibilities and many others.  If you have any questions or need assistance, please call GBA’s Susie McGehee at (404) 522-1501 or Kim Brannen, PEP Chairman, at (912) 489-8661 or visit GBA’s or ABA’s website.   Help make this year GBA’s best year ever for PEP involvement and definitely do more in 2004!

The PEP Resource Column
The following are available for loan from the Georgia Bankers Association.  To reserve a copy for your next presentation, call GBA’s Susie McGehee at (404) 420-2010.

Careers in Banking - Produced in 1992, this 13- minute video takes an interesting look at the many diverse career opportunities in the banking industry.  The program examines the skills and educational requirements for a variety of banking positions.  This video is ideal for high school and junior college students.

Give Credit Its Due – Through a grant from the State Bar of Georgia, GBA produced this video that is targeted to adult audiences. The video asks (and answers) many questions such as:  What is credit?  How is your credit monitored?  How does credit affect you? How do you establish credit?  It also provides useful tips about solving your debt problems and the consequence of filing bankruptcy. 

Money:  Kids & Cash - This documentary helps children gain a better understanding of money and banking basics.  Two one hour episodes feature a number of short segments.  Suitable for children of diverse backgrounds, real-life stories keep kids interested in learning.  Classroom guide is included.

Click here for a complete list of PEP resources available.

Mark your calendars……..

March 25-26
            Operations & Technology Conference
            Atlanta

April 22
            Training & Development Conference
            Atlanta

April 25-30
            Georgia Banking School
            Athens

May 16-21
            Southeastern School of Commercial Lending
            Nashville, TN

May 23 – June 4
            Graduate School of Banking at LSU
            Baton Rouge, LA

July 18-21
            Annual Leadership Conference
            Hilton Head Island, SC

November 7-12
            Southern Operations & Technology School
            Athens