Financial institutions today, Oct. 31, 2005

FIT

Dept. of Banking and Finance 2990 Brandywine Road, Suit 200
Atlanta, GA 30341-5564 (770) 986-1633 Phone (770) 986-1655 Fax http://www.gadbf.org David G. Sorrell, Commissioner

financial institutionS today
news about all dbf regulated entities

October 31, 2005

Monthly Bulletin #10

Rob Braswell Appointed Commissioner of Department of Banking and Finance
Governor Sonny Perdue announced the appointment of Robert Braswell as commissioner of the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance (DBF).
Incoming Commissioner Braswell stated, "I'm honored to be named Commissioner and look forward to the challenge of maintaining the high standards set by my predecessors."
"The Department of Banking and Finance promotes a safe and competitive financial market in the state of Georgia," said Governor Sonny Perdue. "I appreciate the leadership that David Sorrell has provided this department, and I'm pleased to welcome Rob Braswell as the new commissioner."

In this Issue:
o Braswell Appointed Commissioner of Department
o DBF Outreach Calendar of Events
o The Department Educates Consumers at the Fulton County Home Ownership and Home Preservation Exposition
o FFIEC Guidance on Authentication in an Internet Banking Environment
o FDIC Offers Ethics Guidance
o Stopping Internet Scams

Braswell, 43, has been the deputy commissioner for mortgage for DBF since August 2003. He has spent his entire professional career with the department. Braswell previously served as district director and supervisory examiner for the Northwest region and held several financial examiner positions. He received his bachelor's degree in business administration, with a concentration in finance, from Georgia Southern College. Braswell and his wife, Amy, reside in Marietta with their two children.

DBF regulates and examines banks, credit unions, and trust companies that are chartered by the state. The department also has regulatory and/or licensing authority over mortgage brokers and lenders, check cashers, sale of check companies, money transmitters, international banking organizations, and bank holding companies conducting business in Georgia.

Interstate Banking, Federal Interest Rate Authority Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
The FDIC has published a notice of proposed rulemaking to clarify which state laws apply to branches of out-ofstate. State-chartered banks and to clarify the interest rates that state-chartered banks may charge. The notice seeks public comment on all aspects of the proposed rules through December 13, 2005. The complete Financial Institution Letter, FIL-109-2005, November 10, 2005 may be seen at
http://www.fdic.gov/news/news/financial/2005/fil10905.html.
The Department Educates Consumers at the Fulton County Home Ownership and Home Preservation Exposition
On October 22, 2005, the Department cosponsored and participated in the Fulton County Home Ownership and Home Preservation Exposition. Other sponsors included Freddie Mac, The Georgia Department of Community Affairs, US Department of Housing, Urban Development, Metro Fair Housing, many local lenders and mortgage brokers. The Exposition consisted of two parts with educational sessions being offered in each section.
Each section had 36 sessions. The Home Ownership portion included classes on all aspects of home ownership including a class entitled "Consumer Rights" presented by Jenny Neville and Mark Simpson. These sessions were presented by regulators, attorneys, lenders, financial counselors, real estate agents, and members of GREFPAC.
The Home Preservation section also had 36 sessions. These sessions covered all aspects of home preservation and included "Knowing Your Rights (Who to call)" presented by Jenny Neville and Mark Simpson; and "Identifying Predatory Lending and Scams" presented by Darlene O'Connell and Bill Brennan of Atlanta Legal Aid. These sessions were also led by regulators, attorneys, lenders, consultants and mortgage brokers.
The Department also had a booth in the exhibition hall that was staffed by Susan Brown and Laurie Culpepper. This was where the Department met other regulators, lenders, and more importantly, consumers.
The Exposition had six general sessions on several broad topics involving credit, debt management, and general mortgage information. These sessions were led by lenders, credit reporting agencies, and attorneys. There was also a question and answer period at the end of the day for all topics.
The participants from the Department were glad to assist and educate consumers in the areas of consumer rights and home preservation.
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FIGHTING FRAUD
Guidance on Authentication in an Internet Banking Environment
Single-factor Authentication methods for high-risk transactions involving access to customer information or movement of funds to other parties is not adequate. FDIC examiners will begin reviewing banks' progress in meeting the new guidance in examinations and will expect all banks to be in compliance by no later than the end of 2006. The guidance also calls for customer awareness and education programs to help prevent online thefts of assets and sensitive information. Read more at http://www.fdic.gov/news/news/financial/2005/fil10305.html
OFFERS ETHICS GUIDANCE
Ethics policies should provide employees, officers, directors and agents with specific guidelines on acceptable and unacceptable business practices and should cover the entire business organization. FDIC's guidance recommended that employees sign the ethics codes and that banks regularly train and monitor employees to ensure compliance with the policies. The agency also stressed the need to take appropriate actions against employees who violate the policies to deter wrongdoing and compel accountability. The FIL-105-2005: Corporate Codes of Conduct, Guidance on Implementing Effective Ethics Program guidance also lists various laws that should be a part of a bank's policies. Read more http://www.fdic.gov/news/news/financial/2005/fil10505a.html
Stopping Internet Scams
The FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the online job search company Monster Worldwide, and other partners jointly launched a Web site last week to educate the public about Internet schemes and to provide a central place for consumers to file complaints. The Web site Too GoodToBeTrue.com -- features an online fraud risk test that lets users rate their online safety habits for identity theft, financial fraud, Internet auctions, counterfeiting, lottery scams, and computer privacy. The site also provides prevention tips, information on current cyber scams, consumer alerts, and victim stories. Read more http://www.fbi.gov/page2/oct05/toogoodtobetrue103105.htm
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The following is a summary of official action taken on applications by State Financial Institutions under Chapter 7-1 of the Code of Georgia and petitions for Certificate of Incorporation of Financial Institutions and other matters of interest during the month of October 2005.

APPLICATIONS FOR NEW FINANCIAL INSTITUTION

FINANCIAL INSTITUTION Alpha Bank & Trust Northeast Corner of Old Alabama Road & Jones Bridge Road Alpharetta, GA 30022 Fulton County

CAPITALIZATION APPROVAL DATE

$ 20,000,000

Pending

BEGIN BUSINESS DATE

Providence Bank 4955 Windward Parkway Alpharetta, GA 30004 Fulton County

$ 14,000,000

Pending

Sunrise Bank of Atlanta 600 West Peachtree Street, Suite 300 Atlanta, GA 30308 Fulton County

$ 8,000,000

Pending

One Georgia Bank 1180 Peachtree Street Atlanta, GA 30309 Fulton County

$ 15,000,000

Pending

Sentry State Bank 245 Perimeter Center Parkway, Suite 600 Atlanta, GA 30346 DeKalb County

$ 35,000,000

Withdrawn 10-05-2005

Patriot Bank of Georgia Brookwood Road at Peachtree Parkway Cumming, GA 30041 Forsyth County

$ 14,000,000

Pending

Jefferson State Bank 108 Canton Road Cumming, GA 30040 Forsyth County

$ 11,000,000

10-05-2005

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Georgia Heritage Bank 18 Georgia Heritage Place Dallas, GA 30132 Paulding County
Metro City Bank 5441 Buford Highway Doraville, GA 30340 DeKalb County
Hana Bank 2442 Pleasant Hill Road Duluth, GA 30096 Gwinnett County
Bank of Ellijay 134 Industrial Boulevard Ellijay, GA 30540 Gilmer County
State Bank and Trust Company 321 Fullington Avenue Pinehurst, GA 31070 Dooly County
Bank of Valdosta 301 Woodrow Wilson Drive Valdosta, GA 31602 Lowndes County
Woodstock Bank & Trust 11299 Highway 92 Woodstock, GA 30188 Cherokee County

$ 12,007,680

03-18-2005

10-26-2005

$ 12,000,000

10-28-2005

$ 12,000,000

Pending

$ 10,000,000

Pending

$ 7,674,370

10-07-2004

10-03-2005

$ 6,000,000

Pending

$ 10,000,000

Pending

FINANCIAL INSTITUTION Northside Bank Adairsville

APPLICATIONS TO ESTABLISH A BRANCH OFFICE

BRANCH OFFICE Cartersville Branch Office 325 Cherokee Place Cartersville, GA 30121 Bartow County

APPROVAL DATE
10-03-2005

BEGIN BUSINESS
DATE

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Alpha Bank & Trust (IO) Alpharetta
AFB&T Athens
SunTrust Bank Atlanta
SunTrust Bank Atlanta
SunTrust Bank Atlanta
SunTrust Bank Atlanta
SunTrust Bank Atlanta
SunTrust Bank Atlanta
SunTrust Bank Atlanta

Marietta Branch Office southwest corner of Dallas Highway and Ernest Barrett Parkway Marietta, GA 30064 Cobb County

Pending

Augusta Branch Office 3716-A Executive Center Drive Augusta, GA 30907 Columbia County

09-19-2005 10-17-2005

Gateway North Branch Office 1605 Lakewood Ranch Boulevard Bradenton, FL 34211 Manatee County

07-29-2005 10-03-2005

Fort Walton Wal-Mart Branch Office 748 Beal Parkway, NW Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547 Okaloosa County

08-08-2005 10-12-2005

Mack Hatcher Kroger In-Store Branch Office 3054 Columbia Avenue Franklin, TN 37064 Williamson County

08-22-2005 10-17-2005

Marianna Wal-Mart Branch Office 2255 Highway 71 Marianna, FL 32448 Jackson County

08-08-2005 10-12-2005

Marietta Trade Center Wal-Mart Money Center Branch Office 210 Cobb Parkway South Marietta, GA 30060 Cobb County

09-08-2005

10-26-2005

Osprey Wal-Mart Branch Office 163 South Tamiami Trail Osprey, FL 34229 Sarasota County

09-06-2005 10-26-2005

Creighton Road Wal-Mart Branch Office 2650 Creighton Road Pensacola, FL 32504 Escambia County

08-08-2005 10-19-2005

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SunTrust Bank Atlanta

Galloway Ridge Retirement Center Branch Office 3000 Galloway Ridge Suite 112 Pittsboro, NC 27312 Chatham County

SunTrust Bank Atlanta

Harbour View In-Store Branch Office 5901 Harbour View Boulevard Suffolk, VA 23435

SunTrust Bank Atlanta

Westminister Branch Office 747 Baltimore Boulevard Westminister, MD 21157 Carroll County

The Buckhead Community Bank Northside Branch Office

Atlanta

3715 Northside Parkway

Building 100, Northcreek Office

Atlanta, GA 30327

Fulton County

United Community Bank Blairsville

Cumming Branch Office 1015 Buford Highway Cumming, GA 30041 Forsyth County

United Community Bank Blairsville

South Hall Branch Office 3785 Mundy Mill Road Oakwood, GA 30566 Hall County

Mountain Valley Community Bank North Hall Branch Office

Cleveland

5206 Cleveland Highway

Clermont, GA 30527

Hall County

Freedom Bank of Georgia Commerce

Homer Branch Office 185 Oak Street Homer, GA 30547 Banks County

Hana Bank (IO) Duluth

Doraville Branch Office 5596 Buford Highway Doraville, GA 30340 DeKalb County

10-28-2005 10-28-2005 09-27-2004 10-26-2005 10-31-2005 10-17-2005 10-06-2005 10-03-2005 07-28-2005 10-03-2005
Pending

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Horizon Bank Duluth

Decatur Branch Office 2175 Lawrenceville Highway Decatur, GA 30033 DeKalb County

Horizon Bank Duluth

Johns Creek Branch Office Intersection of Johns Creek Parkway & McGinnis Ferry Road Duluth, GA 30097 Fulton County

Bank of Ellijay (IO) Ellijay

Canton Branch Office RiverstoneTerrace & Reinhardt College Parkway Canton, GA 30114 Cherokee County

The Bank of Georgia Peachtree City

Old Norton Road Branch Office southeast corner of GA Highway 54 & Old Norton Road Fayetteville, GA 30215 Fayette County

Woodstock Bank & Trust (IO) Woodstock

Acworth Branch Office State Highway 92 & US Highway 41 Acworth, GA 30101 Cobb County

02-16-2005 10-11-2005 10-31-2005
Pending 10-25-2005
Pending

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FINANCIAL INSTITUTION SunTrust Bank Atlanta
Oconee State Bank Watkinsville

APPLICATIONS TO CHANGE LOCATION

CHANGE LOCATION OF Jefferson Square Branch Office From: 112 N Elm St Greensboro NC 27401 Guilford County To: 333 North Greene Street Greensboro GA 27401 Guilford County

APPROVAL DATE 10-21-2005

EFFECTIVE DATE

Butler's Crossing Branch From: 8821 Macon Hwy.
Athens GA Oconee County To: 2000 Experiment Station Watkinsville GA 30677 Oconee County

08-10-2005

10-03-2005

PREVIOUS NAME Athens First Bank & Trust Company Athens
Delta Employees Credit Union Atlanta

NOTICE OF CHANGE IN NAME
NEW NAME AFB&T
Delta Community Credit Union

APPROVAL DATE
09-19-2005

EFFECTIVE DATE
10-03-2005

09-19-2005 10-01-2005

FINANCIAL INSTITUTION (SURVIVOR) Bank of North Georgia Alpharetta, GA
Flag Bank Atlanta, GA
Georgia Telco Credit Union Atlanta, GA
The First Bank of Brunswick Brunswick, GA

FINANCIAL INSTITUTION MERGERS
MERGED INSTITUTION Riverside Bank Marietta, GA
First Capital Bank Norcross, GA
GTA Credit Union Atlanta, GA
First National Bank Saint Marys, GA

APPROVAL DATE
Pending

EFFECTIVE DATE

Pending

10-06-2005

Pending

Page 9 of 11

American Banking Company Moultrie, GA
American Banking Company Moultrie, GA
American Banking Company Moultrie, GA
American Banking Company Moultrie, GA
American Banking Company Moultrie, GA
American Banking Company Moultrie, GA
The Citizens Bank Nashville, GA

Citizens Security Bank Tifton, GA
Heritage Community Bank Quitman, GA
Merchants & Farmers Bank Donalsonville, GA
Southland Bank Dothan, AL
First National Bank of South Georgia Albany, GA
Central Bank & Trust Cordele, GA
Adel Banking Company Adel, GA

Pending Pending Pending Pending Pending Pending 07-22-2005 10-01-2005

APPLICATIONS TO BECOME A BANK HOLDING COMPANY AND/OR TO ACQUIRE VOTING STOCK OF A FINANCIAL INSTITUTION

BANK HOLDING COMPANY

TO ACQUIRE

APPROVAL DATE

FORMATIONS Flint Community Bancshares, Inc. Albany, GA

Flint Community Bank (IO) Albany, GA

Pending

Atlanta Bancorporation, Inc. Alpharetta, GA

Bank of Atlanta (FSB) Alpharetta, GA

Pending

SBT Bancorp, Inc. Clarkesville, GA

Southern Bank & Trust (IO) Clarkesville, GA

Pending

Eastside Commercial Bancshares, Inc. Conyers, GA

Eastside Commercial Bank (IO) Conyers, GA

10-24-2005

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ACQUISITIONS CompuCredit Corporation Atlanta, GA
Flag Financial Corporation Atlanta, GA
Synovus Financial Corp. Columbus, GA
ABC Bancorp Moultrie, GA

Sentry State Bank (IO) Atlanta, GA
First Capital Bank Norcross, GA
Riverside Bank Marietta, GA
First National Banc, Inc. St. Marys, GA

Withdrawn 10-05-2005
Pending
Pending
10-14-2005

CITY Covington Palmetto Columbus Augusta Doraville Chamblee Mauk Atlanta Atlanta Jonesboro Loganville Lithonia Milledgeville Atlanta Fairburn Port Wentworth Gainesville Lawrenceville Dublin Springfield Atlanta

CHECK CASHER LICENSES ISSUED

APPLICANT NAME * A-1 Enterprises, Inc. * Bradley's Big Buy, Inc. * Buena Vista Package, Inc. * Chang Chun, Inc.
Chen, Jen Kuei Georgia Distributor, Inc. * H&H Jung Corporation Hellgeth Enterprises, Inc. * Issak, Thomas Kampala Enterprises, Inc. * Krishna & Sun, Inc. L & S Enterprises, Inc. * Minor, Luther G. * Nina Group, Inc. Noble Associates, LLC * Patel, Tarun C. * Richards, Angelina M. S & K Mega Enterprise, Inc. Shamrock Beverage, Inc. * Shyamagi, Inc. * The Right Stuff Food Stores, Inc.

TRADE NAME Don's Superette Bradley's Big Buy Buena Vista Package Paul's IGA Supermarket Asia Communications Two Guys Package Store Oakland IGA Piedmont Lindbergh Exxon Marathon Food Mart Citgo Food Mart USA Shop Exxon Young's Market Johnnie McDade Grocery Shopper's Market III Citgo Food Mart Haries #5 Jelas Tax Service Citgo Quik Mart Shamrock Beverage Mart Shyamagi The Right Stuff Food Stores

* =Qualifying Exempt Registration (O.C.G.A. 7-1-709)

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