Banks have long played an important role in helping communities thrive.  Providing a child’s first savings account, financing the dream of owning a home or working with local organizations to deliver quality financial information or other wealth-building opportunities are all examples of how banks invest in their communities.  The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, FDIC and the OCC invite you to join us for a community forum on Tuesday, June 26, 2012 at the Capitol Commerce Building in Montgomery, Alabama.

The morning goal of the event will be to generate better understanding of the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) and lay groundwork for effective bank and non-profit partnerships.  Breakout sessions will include two separate tracks:  one that provides CRA training for area non-profits and another seminar designed for CRA and Compliance Officers on understanding the local environment for CRA investment and examination performance context.

Examiners from each regulatory agency will be on hand to help answer specific questions regarding CRA activities and the examination process, and Community Affairs staff will be on hand to field questions regarding bank CRA opportunities in the region.

The afternoon will focus on effective collaboration and community development strategies between banks, local government and non-profits and finish by fostering partnership opportunities between these groups through a working session.

The forum will also include opportunities for networking and joint learning on specialized topics for bankers and nonprofit organizations.

We hope you’ll join us by registering here and filling out the short form with your contact information.  If you have any questions please email John Olsen at jolsen@fdic.gov.

Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
Directions: Exit 11 off Interstate 85, go North, and turn right to get on Alabama Highway 126, East, which parallels Interstate 85 (follow the sign toward the Alabama Technacenter) and the Capitol Commerce Center is the 5-story office building on the left, facing Interstate 85, and there is a pond in front of the building.

Learn more. Money as You Grow.

Is your organization or business prepared to continue operating in the event of a disaster? 

This was the question posed by Dr. Virginia Morgan, EdD, from the Alabama Cooperative Extension System and Alabama representative to EDEN, Extension Disaster Education Network (www.eden.lsu.edu), at CAFEC’s third quarterly Dollar$ to Donut$ breakfast event on Thursday, April 19, 2012 in Birmingham. 

ASCPA member Barfield, Murphy, Shank & Smith, PC hosted the event in its beautiful Riverchase facility with Lacey Bacchus and Keith Barfield hosting and welcoming our guests.  The audience of business and community leaders were engaged in a thought-provoking dialogue on disaster preparedness and business continuity. Dr. Morgan provided several tools and resources for attendees, while raising a list of high-level issues to be addressed by those organizations that recognize how both large and seemingly small catastrophes can result in business interruption which require a forward-thinking response. Dr. Morgan directed the group to think particularly about the critical importance of a Communication Plan when events strike, as well as reminders to identify Critical Functions and locate records and facilities alternatives before they are needed. 

Check out this video from EDEN on one community’s experience that its readiness and lack of readiness. http://bit.ly/AreYouReadyEDENvideo  

Join us for our next quarterly event in July – details to follow. Check back here often for these and other exciting events and information from CAFEC and its member organizations. Want to share your event here? Consider becoming a CAFEC member!

Check out pictures from our latest Dollar$-to-Donut$ event:

FREE AND OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, this meeting in the 2012 speaker series is targeted to business owners, managers and employees. After taking part in this training, participants will:

• Understand the need for business continuity and disaster preparedness planning
• Know the concepts of business continuity and disaster preparedness planning
• Discover their disaster risks
• Begin writing their individual disaster plans

Click here to download event flyer

Attendance is FREE, but limited to 50 people, so RSVP to greenlee@aliantbank.com. A light breakfast will be provided.

Call (205) 458-2062 to reserve your lunch!

Presented by: United Way Financial Stability Partnership, FDIC, Inc., Jefferson County Committee for Economic Opportunity (JCCEO) and Regions Bank

The BB&T Bus offers information and resources covering a variety of areas including:

• Free Credit Report – learn how to pull your free annual credit report
• One-on-one credit counseling
• FICO Score Estimator – use online tools to estimate your FICO score
• Web Based Financial Education
• BB&T Products & Services: Checking and Savings Accounts

Step onboard the BB&T Bus and take advantage of the financial resources BB&T is bringing to United Way.

2011 was a relatively active Hurricane Season, including Hurricane Irene
which brought devastating floods to areas of New England rarely impacted
by such storms. The average hurricane season typically has 9 to 12
named storms, of which 5 to 7 reach hurricane strength and 1 to 3 become
major hurricanes. Join the SBA and Co-Sponsor Agility Recovery as we
hear about the 2012 Forecast from hurricane experts, while Bob Boyd,
Agility Recovery President & CEO shares the best steps for preparing
your organization for the storms.

We have all witnessed the devastating effects a hurricane can have on a
community. And as we edge closer to the start of the 2012 season, the
time for preparation is now. Your organization is more than just a place
of business to your customers, employees and stakeholders. Your
organization is a key aspect of their lives, and one that must be
protected. If your organization is affected by a storm, how well will
you be prepared to serve those who depend on you in their time of need?

Below are the guidelines and requirements to qualify for the FHA 203(h) loan.

• 100% Financing
• Up to 6% seller concession for closing cost
• Single family residence and condos allowed
• Must provide documentation to evidence permanent residence in the affected area before the disaster. (Drivers license, voter registration card, utility bills, etc
• Must provide documentation regarding the destruction of residence. (Insurance report, inspection report by an independent fee inspector or government agency, letter from FEMA).
• Homeowner or renter allowed
• More flexible debt-to-income ratio calculations
• This program may be used to purchase a home anywhere in the United States.
• Loan application must be submitted within one year of the President’s declaration of the disaster.

To learn more or apply, contact your local BancorpSouth Mortgage Loan Officer.

They will be happy to answer any questions and walk you through the process.

“The FDIC is committed to consumer education so that households can make informed financial decisions,” said Acting Chairman Martin J. Gruenberg. “FDIC.gov is a great place to learn about matters of interest to consumers, and we are pleased now to offer this guide that consumers can refer to when choosing or using a payment card.”

Also in connection with NCPW 2012, which is March 4-10, the special Web page above features other FDIC resources for consumers on a variety of topics:

• “EDIE,” the FDIC’s Electronic Deposit Insurance Estimator: An online calculator that assists consumers and businesses in determining their deposit insurance coverage for each FDIC-insured bank where they have deposit accounts. EDIE also provides a printable report showing whether those deposits are fully protected or if some exceed the federal limits.
• Bank Find: The FDIC’s online directory that consumers can use to locate an FDIC-insured institution, learn what happened to a bank that changed names or no longer exists, and more
• Customer Assistance Form: An easy-to-use form to submit a question to the FDIC or a complaint regarding a financial institution. Consumers with questions or concerns can also call the FDIC toll-free at 1-877-ASK-FDIC, which is 1-877-275-3342.
• Small Business Web Page: Useful information for small business owners, especially regarding access to loans, plus an online form to ask the FDIC a question or register a concern.
• Money Smart: A financial education curriculum concentrating on the development of consumers’ financial skills and positive banking relationships.
• Foreclosure Prevention Toolkit: A Web page that provides easy access to helpful information for homeowners on avoiding foreclosure and foreclosure “rescue” scams.
• FDIC Consumer News: The FDIC’s quarterly publication for consumers offers information and tips on credit cards, bank accounts, loans, scams, money management, and much more. Consumers can also listen to articles anywhere, anytime online or by downloading them to an MP3 player.
• Consumer Alerts: Warnings about financial frauds and scams.
• Your Guide to Preventing and Managing Overdraft Fees: An FDIC brochure providing information and advice on overdraft fees.
• E-mail updates: Sign up to receive e-mail notices of each new issue of FDIC Consumer News, Consumer Alerts, and other announcements and publications from the FDIC.

For more information about the FDIC’s educational programs and service for consumers, including a toll-free Call Center, free videos and brochures, current and past issues of FDIC Consumer News, and the Money Smart financial education curriculum (one version for adults and one for young adults), visit www.fdic.gov or call 1-877-ASK-FDIC (1-877-275-3342).

“The FDIC is proud to be one of the organizing partners of National Consumer Protection Week and to support its focus on the importance of providing consumers with tips and information to manage money and debt, avoid frauds and scams, and protect their privacy,” Acting Chairman Gruenberg added.

Click here to download a flyer with more information.