Financial institutions today, Aug. 2008

Inside this issue:

Individual Consumer 2 Complaints Against Department
Regulated Entities

Bank Secrecy Act--

2

Intended Retirement

of the BSA Magnetic

Media Filing Program

Checks Submitted to 2 the Department for Payment of Application Filings,
Fees, Etc.

News and topics of interest to financial institutions regulated by the Department of Banking and Finance

Monthly Bulletin #8

August 2008

Observance of State Holidays

The Department has received several inquiries regarding the permissibility of financial institutions being closed on Friday, December 26, 2008.
The Department will be closed on December 26, 2008 as the alternative observance day of Washington's Birthday. The Department allows financial institutions to observe both official holidays and alternative observance days. Therefore, financial institutions may be closed for business on December 26, 2008 at the discretion of management.
As is the case with all scheduled closing days, customer notice should be posted at least 30 days in advance.

LicenseMatch Gold

3

DBF Outreach and

3

Upcoming Speaking

Engagements

Action on

4

Applications for the

Month of August

DBF's Customer

9

Service Stars for the

Month of August

2008 Remaining State Holiday Schedule

Holiday: Columbus Day Veterans' Day Thanksgiving Day Christmas Day Robert E. Lee's Birthday (alternate observance) Washington's Birthday (alternate observance)

Observed: Monday, October 13 Tuesday, November 11 Thursday, November 27 Thursday, December 25 Friday, November 28 Friday, December 26

"Safeguarding Georgia's Financial Services"

Page 2
Individual Consumer Complaints Against Department Regulated Entities
Due to state budget issues which have resulted in staff cutbacks, the Department of Banking and Finance no longer handles individual consumer complaints against financial institutions chartered by the State of Georgia, or other entities licensed or regulated by the Department.
As we make this transition, the Department wants to make all state-chartered financial institutions and licensees/registrants aware that more complaints may be received directly from consumers. The Department's expectation is that all entities will make good faith attempts to resolve all issues or complaints directly with Georgia consumers within a reasonable period of time. This staffing change does not affect the power of the Department to demand a response to consumer complaints should the Department determine that such a demand is appropriate.
Bank Secrecy Act (BSA)--Intended Retirement of the BSA Magnetic Media Filing Program
In keeping with its efforts to make BSA filing requirements more secure, efficient and effective, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network recently announced its intention to retire the BSA Magnetic Media Filing Program.
Financial institutions that currently file their BSA reports using the magnetic media filing system must transition to BSA Electronic Filing (E-Filing) by December 31, 2008. BSA E-Filing is a Web-based system that is user ID and password protected and does not require storage media. BSA E-Filing supports the filing of both single and multiple BSA reports and uses the same file format as the magnetic media program.
Financial institutions currently using the magnetic media program may register to use BSA E-Filing at any time. Filers may access details on registration and read an overview of BSA E-Filing at http://bsaefiling.fincen.treas.gov/index.jsp or may contact the BSA E-Filing Help Desk at 1-888-827-2778 (option 6) from Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time.
Checks Submitted to the Department for Payment of Application Filings, Fees, Etc.
The Department can no longer accept or process any stale dated checks over 30 days old. Please be aware that if we must delay processing of a check due to a delay in processing of an application, license, etc., we will return the check with VOID across the face of the check and ask that a new check be submitted.

Page 3
LicenseMatch Gold
A few years ago, the Georgia Technology Authority (GTA)* launched LicenseMatch, which allows businesses to verify drivers' license information against the state database to prevent fraud, minimize loss, and document verification when anyone presents a license in connection with a variety of transactions or activities. GTA is now announcing the availability of LicenseMatch Gold. More features have been added to LicenseMatch www.LicenseMatch.ga.gov - to make verifying driver's license information even faster and easier. An online tool offered by the State of Georgia, LicenseMatch Gold offers a simple way instantly to stop anyone using a fraudulent Georgia driver's license or identification card to access services. LicenseMatch Gold offers new features previously unavailable with the original LicenseMatch service:
Using a customized scanner, you simply swipe a driver's license for data entry. This significantly reduces data entry errors and makes verification even faster. In addition to matching the license to state records, the results will also indicate the status of the license (suspended, revoked, etc.). To learn more about LicenseMatch Gold, visit GTA's website at: http://gta.georgia.gov/00/channel_modifieddate/0,2096,1070969_71186438,00.html
* GTA is a state agency whose purpose is to deliver secure, reliable technology services and solutions, and provide guidance and oversight that lead to sound decisions for Georgia government. Learn more.... visit GTA on the web at http://gta.georgia.gov/
DBF Outreach AND UPCOMING SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Commissioner Braswell will be giving a regulatory update at the Georgia Bankers Association's upcoming Fall Financial Forums. Dates and locations are as follows: September 4th--Chattahoochee Country Club, Gainesville, September 11th--Idle Hour Country Club, Macon, and September 23--Valdosta Country Club, Valdosta. Supervisory Manager Joel Byers will be participating in a regulatory panel at the BSA & Money Services Businesses Seminar hosted by
the Community Bankers Association on September 9th, at the Hilton Garden Inn, Macon/Mercer University, Macon, GA.

Page 4
Action on Applications for the Month of August:
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 August 2008.

FINANCIAL INSTITUTION North Metro Bank Highway 9 & Bethelview Drive Cumming, GA 30040 Forsyth County

APPLICATIONS FOR NEW FINANCIAL INSTITUTION

CAPITALIZATION $ 22,000,000

APPROVAL Pending

BEGIN BUSINESS

FINANCIAL INSTITUTION Brookhaven Bank Atlanta
SunTrust Bank Atlanta
SunTrust Bank Atlanta
SunTrust Bank Atlanta
SunTrust Bank Atlanta
Community Bank & Trust Cornelia
Community Bank & Trust Cornelia

APPLICATIONS TO ESTABLISH A BRANCH OFFICE

BRANCH OFFICE Johnson Ferry Branch Office 2221 Johnson Ferry Road Atlanta, GA 30319 DeKalb County

APPROVAL BEGIN BUSINESS 12-11-2006 08-04-2008

The Avenue Forsyth Branch Office 3120 Ronald Reagan Boulevard Cumming, GA 30041 Forsyth County

08-28-2008

Leland, NC Branch Office 1100 Town Lake Drive Leland, NC 28451 Brunswick County

08-04-2008 08-07-2008

Corsica Square Branch Office 15701 SW 152nd Street Miami, FL 33187 Miami-Dade County

01-24-2008 08-04-2008

Shoppes Of Monroe Branch Office 1990 West Spring Street Monroe, GA 30655 Walton County

07-29-2008 08-18-2008

Oakwood Kroger Branch Office 4025 Winder Highway Flowery Branch, GA 30542 Hall County

08-04-2008

Maysville Branch Office 4 Main Street Maysville, GA 30558 Banks County

08-08-2008

Page 5

FINANCIAL INSTITUTION First Choice Community Bank Dallas
First Choice Community Bank Dallas
First Choice Community Bank Dallas
First Choice Community Bank Dallas
First Choice Community Bank Dallas
First Choice Community Bank Dallas
First Choice Community Bank Dallas
Pinnacle Bank Elberton
Pinnacle Bank Elberton
First Georgia Banking Company Franklin
Community Bank & Trust - West Georgia LaGrange

BRANCH OFFICE Sandhill Branch Office 95 Sandhill Hickory Level Road Carrollton, GA 30116 Carroll County
Chapel Hill Branch Office 2750 Chapel Hill Road Douglasville, GA 30135 Douglas County
Douglasville Branch Office 6559 East Church Street Douglasville, GA 30134 Douglas County
Downtown Newnan Branch Office 16 East Broad Street Newnan, GA 30263 Coweta County
White Oak Branch Office 1595 Highway 34 East Newnan, GA 30265 Coweta County
Senoia Branch Office 8180 Highway 16 East Senoia, GA 30276 Coweta County
Sharpsburg Branch Office 6548 Highway 54 Sharpsburg, GA 30277 Coweta County
Athens Branch Office 3140 Lexington Road Athens, GA 30605 Clarke County
Commerce Branch Office 1871 North Elm Street Commerce, GA 30529 Jackson County
Greensboro Branch Office 1011 Park Place Boulevard Greensboro, GA 30642 Greene County
West Side Banking Center Branch Office 2092 West Point Road LaGrange, GA 30240 Troup County

APPROVAL BEGIN BUSINESS Pending Pending Pending Pending Pending Pending Pending 05-25-2007 08-01-2008 Pending 04-22-2008 05-12-2008 09-14-2006 08-11-2008

Page 6

FINANCIAL INSTITUTION Farmers and Merchants Bank Lakeland
First Choice Community Bank 1874 Newnan
First Choice Community Bank 1874 Newnan
First Covenant Bank Norcross
The Peoples Bank Winder

BRANCH OFFICE North Valdosta Branch Office 3303 Inner Perimeter Road Valdosta, GA 31602 Lowndes County
Lawrenceville Branch Office 185 Gwinnett Drive Lawrenceville, GA 30045 Gwinnett County
Main Office 5270 Peachtree Parkway Suite 116 Norcross, GA 30092 Gwinnett County
Jefferson Branch Office 1681 Old Pendergrass Road Suite 170 Jefferson, GA 30549 Jackson County
Barrow Crossings Branch Office 916 Loganville Highway Suite #2030 Bethlehem, GA 30620 Barrow County

APPROVAL BEGIN BUSINESS 08-08-2007 08-11-2008 Pending Pending
Pending
08-08-2008

FINANCIAL INSTITUTION Appalachian Community Bank Ellijay
Appalachian Community Bank Ellijay
Citizens State Bank Kingsland

APPLICATIONS TO CHANGE LOCATION

CHANGE LOCATION OF Dawson 400 Branch Office From: 258 Beartooth Parkway, Suite 120 Dawsonville GA 30534 Dawson County To: 4300 Dawson Forest Road Dawsonville GA 30534 Dawson County

APPROVAL 08-21-2008

Dahlonega Branch Office From: 24 Alicia Lane, Suite 4
Dahlonega GA 30533 Lumpkin County To: 53 Mechanicsville Road Dahlonega GA 30533 Lumpkin County

08-21-2008

Centre Street Branch Office From: 402 Centre Street
Fernandina Beach FL 32034 Nassau County To: 715 Centre Street Fernandina Beach FL 32034 Nassau County

06-13-2008

EFFECTIVE 08-04-2008

Page 7

FINANCIAL INSTITUTION Farmers and Merchants Bank Lakeland

CHANGE LOCATION OF Main Office From: 110 Carter Street Lakeland 31635 Lanier County To: 420 South Valdosta Road Lakeland GA 31635 Lanier County

APPROVAL Pending

EFFECTIVE

PREVIOUS NAME Colony Bank of Fitzgerald Fitzgerald

NOTICE OF CHANGE IN NAME
NEW NAME Colony Bank

APPROVAL EFFECTIVE 07-02-2008 08-01-2008

FINANCIAL INSTITUTION (SURVIVOR) Bank of North Georgia Alpharetta, GA
Bank of North Georgia Alpharetta, GA
AFB&T Athens, GA
Colony Bank of Fitzgerald Fitzgerald, GA
Colony Bank of Fitzgerald Fitzgerald, GA
Colony Bank of Fitzgerald Fitzgerald, GA
Colony Bank of Fitzgerald Fitzgerald, GA
Colony Bank of Fitzgerald Fitzgerald, GA
Colony Bank of Fitzgerald Fitzgerald, GA
Colony Bank of Fitzgerald Fitzgerald, GA
First Gulf Bank, National Association Pensacola, FL

FINANCIAL INSTITUTION MERGERS

MERGED INSTITUTION Citizens & Merchants State Bank Douglasville, GA
Citizens Bank and Trust of West Georgia Carrollton, GA
The National Bank of Walton County Monroe, GA
Colony Bank Worth Sylvester, GA
Colony Management Services, Inc. Fitzgerald, GA
Colony Bank Ashburn Ashburn, GA
Colony Bank Wilcox Rochelle, GA
Colony Bank Quitman, FSB Quitman, GA
Colony Bank of Dodge County Eastman, GA
Colony Bank Southeast Broxton, GA
RBC Bank (Georgia) Atlanta, GA

APPROVAL EFFECTIVE Pending Pending 08-18-2008 07-02-2008 08-01-2008 07-02-2008 08-01-2008 07-02-2008 08-01-2008 07-02-2008 08-01-2008 07-02-2008 08-01-2008 07-02-2008 08-01-2008 07-02-2008 08-01-2008 Pending

Page 8

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

BANK HOLDING COMPANY

TO ACQUIRE

APPROVAL

FORMATIONS Piedmont Bancorp, Inc. Norcross, GA

First Choice Community Bank 1874 Newnan, GA

Pending

ACQUISITIONS Early Bancshares, Inc. Blakely, GA

One South Bank (FSB) IO Chipley, FL

Pending

NOTIFICATION OF APPROVAL OF APPLICATION TO SERVE A RESIDENTIAL GROUP COMMON BOND

CREDIT UNION Georgia's Own Credit Union Atlanta

RESIDENTIAL GROUP COMMON BOND Forsyth County, GA

APPROVAL 08-29-2008

CHECK CASHER LICENSES ISSUED

CITY Gainesville Kennesaw Forest Park Atlanta Conyers Atlanta Rome East Point Gainesville Royston Lakeland

APPLICANT NAME * AAS Investment Inc. * Afshan Enterprises, Inc. * Alwani Group of Companies, Inc.
Atlanta Drinks, LLC * Bellavista II, LLC
C & H Liquor Store, Inc. * Dhrup Corporation * JZS, Inc.
Javier Granados * Lucero Grocery * Shree Shiv, Inc.

TRADE NAME Exxon Food Mart A Shell Convenience Center Shell Food Mart Skyland Package Taqueria Y Carniceria Bellavista #2
North Ridge Stop N Shop Washington Food Mart Javier's Check Casher
Lakeland Quick Stop

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

MONEY TRANSMITTER
Banrural Corporation Washington, DC

MONEY TRANSMITTER LICENSES ISSUED
APPROVAL 08-05-2008

DBF's Customer Service Stars for the Month of August

Page 9

It is the Department's goal to provide excellent customer service, meeting and exceeding the expectations of our customers. Along those lines, we would like to recognize the following individuals for going above and beyond in serving our customers:
Supervisory Examiner Dennis McNeer and his examination team (District 3): The Department received comments from a customer stating: "Thank you again for the professional manner in which you, Gloria, George and the rest of your team conducted our recent safety and soundness exam. I appreciate all that you are doing to help safeguard our industry during these challenging times."
Mortgage Examiner Fernando Ornelas (NDFI--Main Office): The Department received comments from a customer stating: "I wanted to take a moment to compliment you on one of your employees, Fernando Ornelas. I have been tasked with a complex project in which I must contact all the states to garner information. Fernando, has by far exceeded the assistance that I have received from any other state to date. I can't thank him enough for his level of professionalism and thought I would let you know as well. Customer service is the key, and he has it in spades! I manage a staff as well, and I know that I enjoy hearing that someone on my team is making a difference."

CONGRATULATIONS AND GREAT JOB TO THIS MONTH'S CUSTOMER SERVICE STARS!!

GEORGIA
DEPARTMENT OF BANKING AND FINANCE
2990 Brandywine Road Suite 200
Atlanta, Georgia 30341-5565
Phone: (770) 986-1633 Fax: (770) 986-1654 or 1655 Email: dbfpress@dbf.state.ga.us

Page 10
The Department is the state agency that regulates and examines banks, credit unions, and trust companies chartered by the State of Georgia. The Department also has regulatory and/or licensing authority over mortgage brokers, lenders, and processors, money service businesses, international banking organizations, and bank holding companies conducting business in Georgia.
Our Mission is to promote safe, sound, competitive financial services in Georgia through innovative, responsive regulation and supervision.
Our Vision is to be the best financial services industry regulator in the country Progressive. Proactive. Service-Oriented.

We're on the Web!
Visit our website at: dbf.georgia.gov

Sign-up to Receive this Publication:
This publication is delivered to interested parties via e-mail and is also available from the Department's website at: http://dbf.georgia.gov under Publications, Financial Institutions Bulletin. If you would like to be added to our distribution list, please send an e-mail to dbfpress@dbf.state.ga.us and indicate your name, e-mail address, and the publication you wish to subscribe to.
"Safeguarding Georgia's Financial Services"