Knowledge Center


March 2012

When Disaster Strikes: Planning for the Unexpected

by Jeff Balsman, SVP of Technology, and Maura McKenna, SVP of Corporate Banking
 

Is your business ready for the unexpected? A flood. A tornado. A fire. A pandemic. Theft.  If an emergency situation happens at your company, will you have the peace of mind knowing that you're prepared?

Business continuity planning is the process of identifying and planning for potential exposure to internal and external threats to your company.  Such threats can range from damaging natural disasters to power outages, fraud, loss of data, or even the death of a member of upper management.  In order to effectively address emergencies when they arise, a business should have a continuity plan in place.  The plan should direct the actions of employees and take into account how to productively respond to almost any situation. Read more >

 

 


March 22, 2013

Commentary: Equity Markets Hit New Highs; Will the Economy Follow?

by Doug Williams, President and CEO

 

US equity markets are robust with the Dow Jones Industrial Average hitting new highs and other major market indices surging near historic peaks; however, economic data remain mixed and most economic forecasters expect 2013 US GDP growth of around 2%.  What accounts for this divergence of performance and are financial markets indicating a brighter future than economists expect? Read more >

 

 

 

January 4, 2013

Commentary: Politicians Punt - What Now? 

by Doug Williams, President and CEO

 

Action by the US Congress on New Year’s Day to avert substantial tax increases is welcome news; however, it does little to improve the nation’s fiscal condition or economic prospects.  Congress must still address the debt limit and spending cuts over the next couple of months to avoid a significant global financial market crisis and an economic recession.  The obvious, but politically elusive, solution is meaningful reform of entitlement spending and pro-growth tax policies. Read more >

 

 

December 14, 2012

Atlantic Capital Client SEI Aaron’s Opens 100th Franchise Store

On December 14, 2012, Atlantic Capital Bank client SEI Aaron’s, a lease-to-own retailer specializing in the sales and lease ownership of residential furniture, consumer electronics, and home appliances, opened its 100th retail store in Concord, New Hampshire. On the very same day, the leadership team traveled to Hamburg, NY, where they opened the 101st store.
 
Click to read more and view a picture of the event >

 

 

December 12, 2012

Economic Update: December 2012

by Doug Williams, President and CEO

 

The headlines and airwaves are filled with predictions of dire consequences of failure to avoid the fiscal cliff.  Most economic forecasters assume a quarter or two of GDP contraction, persistently high joblessness, and a financial market crisis.  Political commentators fear calamitous mid-term election damage to one party or another.  The more hopeful expectation is that calmer heads will prevail, and that after a bit of political theater played on the precipice of the cliff, an acceptable compromise will be developed to free the economy to a more orderly, if not robust, expansion. Read more >

 

 

 

November 13, 2012

Georgia US Attorney speaks to group of business leaders at Atlantic Capital

On November 13, Sally Quillian Yates, US Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia, spoke to a group of business leaders at Atlantic Capital Bank’s Business Leaders Breakfast. In her compelling remarks, Ms. Yates addressed some of the challenges faced by Atlanta and the state of Georgia due to geographic location and Atlanta’s status as a transportation and business hub. Such challenges include gang activity, drug smuggling, human trafficking, prescription drug abuse, white collar crime, and prison overcrowding. Georgia is taking these problems seriously and, on the federal level, Ms. Yates and her team of 95 lawyers and 80 support personnel are working diligently to prosecute federal crimes and litigate civil matters in the district.

To learn more about what the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Georgia is doing, please visit: http://www.justice.gov/usao/gan/index.html.”

 

 

November 7, 2012
Hedging Rate Risk in a Volatile Environment
by David Shutley, SVP of Corporate Financial Services

With the election now behind us, the market’s initial move in rates is lower, on the assumption that the Fed’s Quantitative Easing will continue. Read more >

 


October 24, 2012
The Recession-Proof Business Primer: How to thrive in any economy based on lessons learned during the Great Recession
by Chris Deisley, Senior Vice President, Corporate Banking


There have been few times in our history that have challenged business owners more than the economic uncertainty which prevailed in the latter half of 2008 and into 2009. They were arguably the worst years for the economy since the Great Depression. Banks folded, companies closed, and many jobs disappeared. While the economy in 2012 is not back to its former strength, it has improved enough to consider companies that are still solvent to have “made it” through the storm. What actions allowed some companies to make it through these hard times while others failed? And how should these success stories impact businesses as they continue to operate in an uncertain economy? Read more >

 


October 22, 2012
ACB Banker Assists Georgia in Recruiting Automotive Jobs for the State

During the week of October 8th, Jeff McCoy, Senior Vice President for International Corporate Banking, traveled to Germany to attend a NAFTA Automotive Supplier Forum in Hannover and the Volkswagen Suppliers Fair in Wolfsburg. Jeff joined representatives of the Georgia Department of Economic Development in meetings with suppliers that are considering locating a plant in the state. Read More >

 


October 18, 2012
Atlantic Capital Treasurer addresses Netherlands American Chamber of Commerce

Rogier Kamerling, Treasurer of Atlantic Capital Bank, was the featured speaker at a breakfast meeting of the Netherlands American Chamber of Commerce on October 18. In his talk Rogier addressed the challenges facing the economy and provided some historical background on how the economy arrived at its current state. A native of Amsterdam, Rogier holds a PHD in economics from the University of Utah. You can access the slides from Rogier’s presentation by clicking on this link.

 

 

 

 

 

September 10, 2012

Economic Update: Election Year Realities Ensure Little Action on Looming Fiscal Cliff

by Doug Williams, President and CEO

 

The current pace of economic recovery is lethargic and likely to remain so in view of prevailing uncertainties. In the US, new jobs are in short supply and labor force participation rates are declining. The manufacturing sector has contracted, exports are sluggish, and services sector expansion is languid. Read More >

 

 

 

August 22, 2012
Preventing Corporate Account Takeover
by Kurt Shreiner, Executive Vice President of Corporate Financial Services

For years consumers have been warned about the growing issues of identity theft and fraud. No one wants to face the trials and tribulations of regaining their identity once it has been compromised. The path towards restoring a credit rating and hitting the reset button on your personal finances is time consuming and arduous. Now corporations and small businesses face a similar challenge as corporate account takeover is on the rise. Read more >

 



July 23, 2012

Economic Update - July 2012

by Doug Williams, President and CEO

 

The pace of economic activity appeared to lose velocity during the second quarter as consumers, business owners, and investors grew more defensive in view of a multitude of uncertainties. In the US, new jobs numbers weakened and labor force participation declined. The manufacturing sector contracted and exports waned while the services sector expanded lethargically. Abroad, the growth of the Chinese economy moderated and major European economies were precariously balanced on the precipice of recession and financial crisis. Read more >

 

 

July 5, 2012

Remote Deposit Capture vs. Lockbox Processing:
What’s the best solution for your company?

By Glenna Reeves, Senior Vice President of Corporate Financial Services


Does your company receive multiple check payments in the mail each day? If so, you need an efficient solution to process and deposit those checks. Remote Deposit Capture and Lockboxes are both commonly used solutions – but which is better for your business? Read more >

 


June 27, 2012
When will the Economy Improve?
by Doug Williams, President and CEO of Atlantic Capital Bank

The litany of problems is familiar - persistently high unemployment, anemic personal income growth, depressed residential and commercial property values, and excessive debt in household and public sectors. Quarter after quarter as I write this commentary, the question remains, “When will the economy improve?”


From the first rumbling of excesses in mortgage finance in the summer of 2007 to a major financial market meltdown in 2008 and the severe recession of 2009-10 and on to a historically weak recovery since, good news on the economic front has been fleeting. Recent data indicate twenty years of accumulated household wealth has been destroyed in the housing correction. In metropolitan Atlanta, net job growth over the last decade has been around 50,000 and the region is not expected to fully recover to peak employment levels until 2020. Read more >

 


May 21, 2012
Succession Planning for the Closely Held Company

by Maura McKenna, Senior Vice President of Corporate Banking


Is your company ready for what's next? Succession planning should be an important consideration for any closely held company, but it is often overlooked as owners focus on the more pressing matters of day to day business. Read More >


 


May 17, 2012
Atlantic Capital Bank Celebrates Fifth Anniversary



May of 2012 marks Atlantic Capital Bank’s fifth anniversary. During the corporation’s annual shareholder meeting on May 17, President and CEO Douglas L. Williams highlighted Atlantic Capital’s 2011 and first quarter 2012 performance. He also discussed the bank’s five years of progress and its strategy for the future.

Reviewing the past five years, Mr. Williams said, “From a cold start with no customers in 2007, today we have strong banking relationships with close to 500 companies and a comparable number of households. Atlantic Capital’s growth has been extraordinary by any measure, but it is particularly remarkable that we have been able to build a $1 billion bank in one of the most depressed geographic markets in the U.S. during a severe recession.”

You may review the shareholder’s meeting presentation by clicking the following link: 2012 Shareholder Presentation.

 


May 8, 2012


2012 Global Impact Awards


Atlantic Capital Bank would like to congratulate the recent winners and finalists of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce’s 2012 Global Impact Awards. Jeff McCoy, one of Atlantic Capital's senior corporate bankers, served on the judging panel for this year’s awards.


The awards honor businesses that have made an outstanding impact on metro Atlanta through their own investment in the area or by their efforts to attract foreign companies to Atlanta. Consideration is also given to the candidates’ work towards being good stewards of the local environment.


Winners by category
• Foreign Investment: Surya Carpets, Inc.
• Trade and Business Development: Hannah Solar
• Service Provider: HLB Gross Collins
• Global Impact: National Association of Chinese Americans (NACA)


Finalists included Suniva Inc.; UPS; SANY Americas; SELF Electronics; Saint Joseph’s Translational Research Institute; and The Wesley Co.

 

April 31, 2012


Economic and Business Outlook

by Douglas L. Williams, President and Chief Executive Officer



US GDP expanded 3% in the fourth quarter of 2011 roughly equal to the economy’s long term average rate of growth. Indications of favorable economic activity continued through the early part of the first quarter, particularly in comparison to last year, before moderating later in the quarter. Preliminary estimates suggest GDP growth slowed to 2.2% in the first quarter, in line with consensus expectations for all of 2012.


Prospects for more robust economic growth are limited by heavy debt burdens in the public and household sectors and uncertainty regarding the European sovereign debt situation, government budget deficits here and abroad, and US tax policy. Interest rates are likely to remain at or near historic lows through 2014 with an accommodative monetary policy designed to protect overextended borrowers and stimulate new investment.


Recovery in metropolitan Atlanta lags that in other large cities as a result of an extended period of anemic job creation, a decade or more of under investment in transportation infrastructure, and subdued population growth.


With wise decisions and political will these problems - global, national, and local - are correctable over time. This cycle of economic recovery will be longer than those since World War II, but there are brighter days on the horizon.


Opportunities for growth and meaningful returns in banking are closely correlated to the general course of the economy. However, Atlantic Capital has outperformed the economy and is superbly positioned to continue to do so.

 


April 30, 2012


Take Control of Your Trade Agreements by Utilizing Foreign Exchange


by David Shutley, Senior Vice President of Corporate Financial Services



International trade has grown rapidly in recent years, despite the poor economy, due to a range of factors, including:


- The accessibility to markets created by the internet
- A relatively weak US dollar
- The impact of free trade agreements
- A growing Asian middle class


Small and medium size companies all over the world are increasingly engaging in international trade, and therefore currency conversion. The foreign exchange market is the largest financial market in the world, and is dominated not by large multi-national firms, but small and medium enterprises. In fact, an estimated 97% of US exporters are companies with less than 500 employees and less than $50 million in revenues. Read More>

 

 



April 3, 2012

 

Proactive Hedging


by David Shutley, Senior Vice President of Corporate Financial Services
and Rogier Kamerling, Treasurer


The Fed has been telegraphing a low rate environment through 2014, yet the yield on the benchmark 10 year Treasury has increased by almost 30 basis points over the last few weeks. What happened?

Read More >


 


March 20, 2012

 

The New Maynard Jackson International Terminal: Bringing Business to Atlanta


by Jeff McCoy, Senior Vice President of Corporate Banking

Last week I was privileged to attend a dinner at the Atlanta airport that was hosted by the Netherlands American and Belgium American Chambers of Commerce. Dinner was excellent, but the highlight of the evening was a preview tour of the new Maynard Jackson International Terminal. The new terminal is impressive. Read More>

 

 

March 13, 2012

 

Home Prices and Consumer Spending
How the Residential Mortgage Market is affecting businesses and families in Georgia



by Rogier Kamerling, Treasurer


Most readers probably can attest to the fact that buying a home is the single largest purchase they will ever make, and that their home accounts for a significant part of their net worth. It will therefore come as no surprise that home prices, and the expectation of the future trajectory of home prices, have a large impact on consumer spending, which in turn accounts for about 70 percent of GDP. Read More >



 

 

February 14, 2012

 

Economic and Business Outlook


by Douglas L. Williams, President and Chief Executive Officer

 

In December, I wrote about the structural limitations on economic growth imposed by heavy debt burdens in the household and public sectors. It seems clear that correcting these excesses will define the fundamental direction of economic activity for the next three to four years, if not longer; however, the monetary policy response to current conditions may have an equally consequential effect on the future. Read More >

 

 


December 13, 2011

 

 

Economic and Business Outlook, December 2011


by Douglas L. Williams, President and Chief Executive Officer

 

The economy rebounded modestly in the third quarter with higher consumer spending and export sales. However, the inability of government leaders and central bankers in Europe and the United States to settle on solutions to correct heavy debt burdens and yawing budget deficits heightened anxiety about the future course of economic activity. As a result, business managers and consumers are expected to maintain a largely defensive posture as we begin the new year. Read More >

 

 

December 9, 2011

 

Cutting Costs
Reviewing Analysis Statements Can Positively Impact Your Bottom Line


by Ashley Carson, Senior Vice President of Corporate Banking

 

In this challenging economic environment, I frequently come across clients who are scrambling to cut expenses. Companies can find quick improvement to the bottom line through what I call a “Deposit Checkup” - a detailed review and assessment of a company’s analysis statements. Read More >

 

 

December 1, 2011

 

Utilize one of your best assets: Your banker


by Brian Harper, Vice President of Corporate Banking

 

The best business advice I can give a company is to fully utilize its banker’s knowledge and network. If your company isn’t taking full advantage of your banker’s resources, you may be missing out. Read More >

 

 

 

October 12, 2011


Douglas Williams testifies before Congress about the impact of derivatives regulation on small to mid-size businesses

Williams urged Congress to reconsider regulation that will negatively impact the ability of community-oriented banks and small to mid-size businesses to manage interest rate risk.


To read the article, please click here.

 

 


September 2011


Economic and Business Outlook


by Douglas L. Williams, President and Chief Executive Officer


Economic activity during the first half of 2011 was surprisingly weaker than most analysts and forecasters had anticipated. Read More >

 

 

 

September 2011


Grow by Going Global


by Jeff McCoy, Senior Vice President of Corporate Banking


In the media today, there is continuous talk about the outlook for flat growth in the U.S. So, how can an American business grow in the current economy?
Going global may be the key to your company's success. Read More >



 

September 2011



Preventing Corporate Check Fraud


by Kurt Shreiner, Executive Vice President of Corporate Financial Services

The Association for Financial Professionals (AFP) recently conducted a survey on fraud with its corporate members. The survey's results should put all companies on high alert. Of the responding companies 71% had experienced fraud or attempted fraud in 2010. Check fraud was involved over 90% of the time. Read More >

 

 


June 2011

 

Four Years of Progress



Thanks to the support and loyalty of our clients, Atlantic Capital marked its fourth year of progress in May 2011. At the corporation’s annual shareholders meeting on May 19th, President and Chief Executive Officer Doug Williams highlighted Atlantic Capital’s 2010 and first quarter 2011 performance, reviewed its four years of progress, and spoke about the company’s future plans. You can review the shareholders meeting presentation by clicking the following link: 2011 Annual Shareholder Meeting Presentation.

 

June 2011

 

Economic and Business Outlook


By Douglas L. Williams, President and Chief Executive Officer

We began the year optimistic about a more durable economic expansion after a strong fourth quarter finish. While consensus forecasts for US GDP growth in 2011 still average 3.0 - 3.5%, first quarter growth was surprisingly weak at 1.8%. Bad weather at home and persistent economic and financial shocks from abroad dampened and delayed economic activity during the quarter.
Read More>

 


May 31, 2011

 

Managing your Company's Interest Rate Risk


By David Shutley, Senior Vice President

 

What are the main risks to your company's success? For many companies, the uncertainty of rising interest rates is a key concern. In the below article, David Shutley, Senior Vice President at Atlantic Capital Bank, answers frequently asked questions about interest rate swaps and how they can be used effectively to manage a company's interest rate risk. Read More>

 

Click to view two interest rate swap case studies: Interest Rate Swap Case Studies

 

 

January 28, 2011


Economic and Business Outlook


By Douglas L. Williams, President and Chief Executive Officer

After growing slowly over the first half of 2010, the economy strengthened in the third and fourth quarters. Export sales grew and the manufacturing and service sectors of the economy moved firmly into expansion territory. Consumer spending increased modestly, but was limited as consumers repaid debt, unemployment was stubbornly high, and housing prices continued to decline in some markets, including metropolitan Atlanta.

Read More>

 

 

 

October 2010

 

Economic and Business Outlook


By Douglas L. Williams, President and Chief Executive Officer

The pace of economic expansion has slowed over the last few months as early recovery stage inventory restocking, stimulus spending, tax credits, and transfer payments have run their course. US GDP grew 1.7% in the second quarter of 2010, well below historic recovery patterns, and we expect a similar trajectory in the US and other mature economies over the next two to three quarters. Read More

 

 
July 2010
 
Economic and Business Outlook


By Douglas L. Williams, President and Chief Executive Officer
The economic recovery lost some of its earlier momentum during the second quarter with tentative consumer spending and business investment, limited private sector job creation, and growing concern about the costs of new government regulation and higher taxes. Read more>
 
 
 
May 2010
 
Economic Commentary – Global Risk and Opportunity


By Douglas L. Williams, President and Chief Executive Officer
In our first quarter Economic and Business Outlook, we discussed the prospects for further economic recovery and identified key risks to sustained economic expansion. The economy is fragile and its course is vulnerable to adverse geopolitical events, global financial market dislocations, the withdrawal of monetary policy support, and government policy misadventures. We have seen evidence of each of these factors at play over the last few weeks. Read More
 
 
 
April 2010
 
Economic and Business Outlook


By Douglas L. Williams, President and Chief Executive Officer
Economic data suggest the severe economic contraction that began in 2007 reached its trough in the second half of 2009, and that a modest expansion in economic activity is underway. Financial markets are now functioning in a more orderly fashion, many large companies are reporting improved operating results, and the pace of deterioration in housing has been arrested. Read More