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Legislative Events Kickoff 2015 Advocacy Efforts
A huge crowd of GBA members turned out this week for the GBA Legislative and Economic Forum and Legislative Reception in Atlanta. The forum began with a positive outlook for the 2015 economy from Dennis Lockhart, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Lockhart said he sees no reason the growth in the economy from the second half of 2014 will not carry over into 2015. He noted the improved operating conditions for banks, but recognized that increased regulatory burden and compliance costs are challenges. He also said he believes 2015 will be the beginning of a rising interest rate environment, with conditions likely to align in mid-to-late year for the Federal Reserve to consider its first increase in the Fed Funds Rate in many years. He also said the Federal Reserve is considering regulatory policy based on concerns heard from bankers. Specific concerns the Fed has noted are about the ongoing viability of the residential mortgage market, overall regulatory burden, the cost of compliance and the idea of tiered regulation based on the structure and complexity of institutions. Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle also attended. Read more highlights from our two Legislative Events here...
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Use GBA’s General Assembly Legislation Tracker to Keep up with Banking Bills
You can keep tabs on all the important banking legislation being considered in the Georgia General Assembly this session by frequently checking our General Assembly Legislation Tracker on the State Issues page of www.gabankers.com. We’ll post summaries of bills as they’re introduced, and update their status as they move through the legislative process.
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Westmoreland Named Vice-Chair of Housing & Insurance Subcommittee
Georgia Rep. Lynn Westmoreland will be the vice chair of the Housing & Insurance subcommittee of the U.S. House Financial Services Committee. The subcommittee oversees the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Government National Mortgage Association. The subcommittee also handles matters related to public, affordable, and rural housing, as well as community development including Empowerment Zones, and government-sponsored insurance programs, such as the National Flood Insurance Program. More about Westmoreland's subcommittee appointment here...
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Economic Update Scheduled for Women in Banking Conference - Jan. 29-30
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Hometown Focus Loud and Clear in Pinnacle Bank’s 80th Anniversary Video
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New Website Feature Profiles Members
Meet Debi Davidoff of Signature Bank of Georgia
One of the new features of our redesigned website is our GBA Member Spotlight located in the headlines section on the left side of the page. We'll use the space to introduce you to GBA members who are active in the association, have interesting backgrounds or insight into the industry you'll find interesting. The current member profile is of Debi Davidoff, SVP, Director of Operations / Security Officer, Signature Bank of Georgia. Check out the profile to learn more about Debi's involvement in GBA, why she says banking is a great career choice for women and more. Check the website every couple of weeks for new member profiles. Suggest members to profile by emailing David Oliver and Bo Brannen.
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Welcome New Associate Members
Congratulations to the following companies that were approved for associate membership at the January 14 GBA Board of Directors meeting:
- Alpha-Numeric Consulting, LLC, Hoschton, Deborah Donaldson, President & CEO
- Atlas Banc Holdings Corp., Clearwater, FL, Craig Ridenhour, EVP
- SAS Institute, Cary, NC, Mary Beth Jones, Sales Manager
Associate Members have played an important part of the GBA throughout our 122 years. Today, almost 200 businesses enjoy increased visibility and expanded marketing opportunities, and banks have more options for top-quality, cost-effective products and services. Company descriptions and contact information are available on our website, or contact GBA’s Kenyetta Parks at 404.420.2035 for more information.
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OCC Supports Banks Pooling or Collaborating on Resources
The OCC issued an in interesting paper this week about how it views banks getting together to pool or share certain resources to save money, be more efficient and leverage specialized expertise. The paper looks at how banks may be able to do so to overcome cost and regulatory burden, deliver the most advanced services and still remain independent as local banks. Examples provided included sharing back-office functions such as data processing, internal audit, records management and procurement. In setting up collaborative efforts, banks must be sure to comply with antitrust laws, the paper emphasized. Read the OCC paper here...
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National Roundup
Cybersecurity Push; TRIA Bill Includes Requirement for Community Banker on Fed Board
President Obama this week unveiled a package of bills to enhance cybersecurity and protect consumers from data breaches. Also this week, the President signed legislation renewing the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA), which expired at the end of 2014. More about these important national stories here...
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2015 HR Professionals Institute - Feb. 19-20
Learn How to Build an Effective Succession Plan at the HR Professionals Institute
Organizations large and small struggle with attracting, developing, and retaining the employees that are critical to meet the business’s needs of both today and tomorrow. With an effective succession planning process in place, the business case is clearer and decisions become easier. According to presenter Dr. Jody Bradham, Psy.D., Executive Consultant, TalentQuest, Atlanta, the good news is that world-class succession planning does not require world-class budgets or resources. Click here to learn more and sign up for the HR Professionals Institute today...
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Georgia Banking School and Southern Operations and Technology School
Early Enrollment Deadline Extended to Jan. 31 for First-Year Students of Either School
The early enrollment deadline for Georgia Banking School and Southern Operations and Technology School has been extended through Jan. 31. First-year Students enrolling through this date will receive the discounted tuition of $1,750; regular tuition is $1,875. The schools are May 3-8, 2015, at the UGA Conference Hotel and Conference Center at the Georgia Center in Athens. Click here for more details about each school. If you have questions, contact GBA’s Kathy Friestad at 404.420.2024, or Alison Moreau at 404.420.2034.
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Georgia BankPAC Campaign Update
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2015 Operations and Technology Conference March 4-5
“Hacking the Human” Focus of Gladiator Session
GBA’s 2015 Operations and Technology Conference program agenda will hit all the hot topics at the March conference, while offering additional time for attendees to information share, network and meet with exhibitors and sponsors. One session you won’t want to miss is “Hacking the Human.” In this session, presenter Jason O’Dell, Gladiator Technology, Alpharetta will focus on the most commonly used methods of social engineering and tell you what you need to know about the psychological tactics used by social engineers to gain access to sensitive data. More details about the upcoming Operations and TEchnolgy Conference can be found here...
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Financial Literacy
Sign up Now for Teach Children to Save Day
Get engaged in financial literacy efforts in your hometown by taking part in Teach Children to Save Day this April 24. Teach Children to Save (TCTS) is a national program that organizes banker volunteers to help young people develop a savings habit early in life. Since the program started in 1997, more than 210,000 bankers have taught savings skills to some 7.2 million students. You can sign up now for Teach Children to Save Day...
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Student Accounts Get Focus from CFPB
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In-Person Seminar Spotlight
Lots of Great Sessions Coming Up!
We've got three really strong seminars coming up at the Brickyard Golf Club in Macon that will help bankers in a variety of ways. With questions or to register by phone, please contact GBA’s Danielle Driggers at 404.420.2002.
IRA Basics - Feb. 11
Led by Patrice Konarik with Sunwest Training Corp. in Gilchrist, TX. Take advantage of learning everything from A to Z about IRAs by attending this seminar. This comprehensive session 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." Click here to register...HMDA and CRA Workshop + Fair Lending - Feb. 12
Led by Steve Moore with Bank Compliance Services, Avondale Estates, this one-day seminar will be packed full of valuable information for compliance officers, loan officers, and other bank personnel responsible for HMDA and Fair Lending Compliance. In the morning session attendees will learn about new and updated rules, types of loan applications that are HMDA reportable, the regulatory consequences for non-compliance, community development loans and much more. In the afternoon, Moore will provide an-depth look at fair lending, including a detailed description of “side-by-side loan file analysis," common loan practices with potential fair lending effects, and other components of an effective fair lending program. Click here to register...
Analyzing Financial Statements - Feb. 26
Led by Mike Allen with State Bank & Trust, Atlanta, this one-day seminar is designed for entry-level commercial lending officers, credit trainees and analysts. Topics to be covered include analyzing personal tax returns, analyzing commercial financial statements and much more. Click here to register...
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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 print publication, the GBA Bulletin, mailed every other week. Resume postings are also available. For more information, please contact Kenyetta Parks.
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GBA Strategic Partner Spotlight
Click the logos below to lern more about these important GBA Partners...
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Other Upcoming In-Person Events
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GBA's Elizabeth Chandler at the Georgia Chamber's 2015 Eggs & Issues
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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 David Oliver and Bogan Brannen.
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