Georgia Southern Sponsors Banking Symposium

Georgia Southern University’s Center for Excellence in Financial Services and the Georgia Bankers Association will host the seventh annual Community Bank Symposium on March 27 from 7:30 a.m. until 2:45 p.m. at the Forest Heights Country Club in Statesboro.

The symposium will be an opportunity for bankers from southeast Georgia to discuss trends, legislation and economic indicators that could affect the banking industry and the economy during the next year. “This is a crucial time for everyone in the financial services industry,” said Ed Sibbald, director of Georgia Southern’s Center for Excellence in Financial Services in the College of Business Administration. “This symposium is designed to provide information and strategies for community bankers to manage through challenging times and redefine their business models as their balance sheets strengthen and the economy gradually improves.” Symposium highlights will include a summary of the economic outlook for the region as well as a discussion of prospective scenarios for real estate values during the next three years. A regulatory question and answer session will feature the top regional regulators and one of the top banking lawyers in the state will address evolving board of director responsibilities after the recession. Participating banks will also receive a complimentary summary of regional and peer group performance comparisons for community banks in Georgia. Speakers for the symposium include Tom Dujenski, FDIC regional director, Michael Johnson, Federal Reserve Bank-Southeastern Region senior vice president, Rob Braswell, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance, Joe Brannen, president of the Georgia Bankers Association, Roger Tutterow and representatives from leading professional firms including Steve Powell and company, Crowe Horwath, a leading bank accounting firm and Bryn Cave, LLP, a law firm with the largest regional banking practice. Banking and business leaders, as well as professionals with bank clients, interested in attending the symposium should register by contacting Susie McGehee at smcgehee@gabankers.com. Georgia Southern University, a Carnegie Doctoral/Research University founded in 1906, offers more than 120 degree programs serving more than 20,500 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement.  Georgia Southern is recognized for its student-centered approach to education. Visit: www.georgiasouthern.edu.