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Closer look: The state of Northwest Georgia's banks

You'll find an extended look at the status of many banks doing business in Northwest Georgia by clicking Bank Report. The file features the overall assets of locally- or Georgia-based banks as of June 30 as well as the "Texas Ratio" of each, which compares non-performing loans to the bank's overall assets and capital. The higher the ratio, the more likely the bank is under review by regulators. 

>What the report shows:

-Four banks doing business in Bartow County had Texas Ratio amounts of 100-plus.

-Georgia Heritage, a Dallas-based bank with an office in Cartersville, posted a 228.2 Texas Ratio, up from 180.2 percent three months earlier.

-Unity National Bank had a ratio of 129.2 percent, up from 100.9 percent.

-Crescent Bank, with offices in Bartow, posted a 110.8 percent ratio, up from 85.5 percent on March 31.

-Bartow County Bank posted a 100.3 percent score vs. 68.5 percent in March.

>How they ranked: Of the 300 state banks reviewed, Georgia Heritage (not affiliated with Heritage First) had the 12th highest ratio in the state; Unity was 42nd; Crescent was 50th and Bartow County was 55th. Large loans moving into the 90-day overdue category was one major factor boosting the ratio of some banks.

>On the lower end of the surveyed were: Greater Rome Bank had a ratio of 8.6 percent, up from 7.1 percent in March. Rrank: 251 out of 300 banks.

-North Georgia National Bank, based in Calhoun, was 217; ratio: 15.6 percent.

-River City Bank, with offices in Rome and Carrollton, was 215. Ratio 16 percent.

>The report also looks at each bank's assets as of June 30: The range goes from $54.1 million for Southeast First National in Summerville to $488.5 million for Georgia Bank & Trust in Calhoun.  In Floyd County, Citizens First posted almost $363 million in assets followed by River City at $215 million; Greater Rome at $184 million; and Heritage First at $101 million. Again, those numbers are through June 30; several banks report asset increases since then. Click Bank Report.

Politics

-Rome Young Republicans join Twitter: You can follow the GOP's younger set at www.twitter.com/romeyounggop

-Saturday/GOP Breakfast Club, 8:30 a.m. Speakers: Eric Johnson, candidate for governor, and Gary Black, candidate for Agriculture Commissioner. At Opi's> GOP

Dining & Drink (click)
-Latest public health restaurant inspection scores: Dee's Road Kill gets a 96.
-Big weekend ahead at North Georgia wineries.

-Today's Druck Report on WRGA 1470 AM (7:50 a.m., 12:50 p.m.): dining updates

Tonight's MegaMillions' jackpot: $207 million. Tickets are $1 each; how to play. Odds on winning: 1 in 176 million> Click

Friday's Buzz:

-Cherokee Nation offers state $40,000 to help with New Echota, Chief Vann House with some conditions> Click

-Sept. 20/Reunion set for former employees, families of Galey & Lord, Burlington Industries, Klopman Mills, Brighton Plant in Shannon: The event is free for the attendees and will not have vendors.  Guests are asked to bring their own food, drinks and lawn chairs. It is set for noon to 6 p.m. Sept. 20 at Ridge Ferry Park. Call 706-237-6771 or contact us at GLreunion@yahoo.com to acknowledge how many will be attending Also see the special page on Facebook.

-Richt-signed footballs up for raffle by American Red Cross: Red Cross is raffling a UGA football signed by Coach Mark Richt. The raffle date is Sept. 30 and tickets are $5 each. They go on sale Sept. 1 at Coosa Valley Federal Credit Union on Redmond Circle or at the Red Cross office, John Maddox Drive. Call 706-291-6648.

Downtown Headlines:

-Latest updates on downtown Rome. 'Charlie' cast on location; Sunset on the Hill is Sept. 17.

-Plus: Bryan Mullins of Mullinsmania.com on downtown entertainment.

Weather:
-Friday: 60% chance of rain, high of 88; low of 67; 40% rain chance.
-Saturday: Mostly sunny, high of 88, low of 60.
-Sunday: Mostly sunny, high of 86, low of 60.

-Your extended forecast> Weather / Local radar > Radar

Rome Braves' updates:

-Rome, RiverDogs rained out after four innings as Rome had 5-2 lead.

-Tonight: Charleston at Rome, resume Thursday's game at 6 p.m.; seven-game to immediately follow.

-Latest Braves' photos by Mills Fitzner> Gallery

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable

-Countdown to kickoff: Don't overlook N.C. State this season. The Wolfpack could be the surprise of the year.

Football Report

-John McClellan's picks for this weekend's openers. Writes John on Unity's first game tonight: "The Unity Christian Lions make their long awaited varsity football debut Friday night when they travel to Carrollton to take on another first year varsity program, the Holy Ground Baptist Academy Stallions ... Joe Curtiss and Unity have been building toward this moment and excitement is high for the Lions. First year football teams face challenges and the 2009 season will be no different for Unity as the schedule includes several games against established football programs from Georgia and Alabama. However, Unity is prepared for the challenge."