BANK REGULATION
Analysis by PolitiFact not the whole story
The Community Bankers Association of Georgia has concerns that the analysis in “Dodd-Frank destroying banks? Gingrich’s statement is wrong” (Truth-O-Meter, Metro, Nov. 23) did not provide a complete, balanced perspective on the Dodd-Frank act. Your article implies the regulatory burden and compliance costs resulting from the passage of Dodd-Frank are likely to be minimal for community banks. However, informed parties acknowledge Dodd-Frank has increased such regulatory compliance costs and will do so with every new regulation.
Second, you give Dodd-Frank significant credit for the improved profitability of community banks since passage. While community bankers are thankful for the reduced deposit insurance premiums received, their fear is that the added cost of complying with the new regulations will be overwhelming.
Third, we disagree with your conclusion that community banks will be unaffected by the Dodd-Frank restrictions on debit card fees. Many payment systems experts believe that, over time, a competitive market will force a significant reduction in community bank debit card fees.
CAROLYN BROWN, PRESIDENT AND CEO, Community Bankers Association of Georgia
AIRLINE INDUSTRY
Troubles began with Carter’s presidency
American Airlines has filed for bankruptcy. This follows a long list of U.S. carriers that have filed for bankruptcy since 1979, and many hundreds of thousands of U.S. airline employees who have lost their jobs since that time. One direct (or indirect) common denominator may be the Airline Deregulation Act, signed by former President Jimmy Carter. This is just another of many regulations brought about by Carter that will be his legacy from his failed presidency.
Jerome Jernigan, Atlanta
SAVANNAH PORT PROJECT
Bigger ships will create a need for more trucks
It seems an article of faith to every politician in Georgia that altering the Savannah River to allow larger ships will be good for Georgia (and Atlanta). I’m not sure why. No matter how many containers a ship may hold, a tractor trailer can only carry one. Even if most of the cargo is not destined for Atlanta, much of it will have to travel over our interstates to get to a final destination.
An increase in containers unloaded in Savannah? This means a commensurate increase in truck traffic on our already overburdened highways.
Transportation infrastructure has to be developed in a coordinated fashion. Opening the floodgates at one end without increasing capacity along the way is the definition of pre-planned unintended consequences.
Bill McNew, Fayetteville
