Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation

Georgia Carolina Bancshares

October 4, 2004

Mr. Robert E. Feldman
Executive Secretary
Attention: Comments/Legal ESS
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
550 17th Street NW
Washington, DC 20429

Re: Community Reinvestment Act, RIN number 3064-AC50; Proposal to Expand Eligibility for the Streamlined CRA Exam

Dear Mr. Feldman:

I have proudly served as the CEO of the three community banks and two bank holding companies during the past 30 years. In this light, I am quite familiar with the need for an effective Community Reinvestment Act and its provisions.

Today I join my fellow community bankers throughout the nation in strong support of the FDIC's proposal to increase the asset size limit of banks eligible for the streamlined small-bank CRA examination. I also strongly support the elimination of the separate holding company qualification.

This new proposal will alleviate unnecessary paperwork and examination burden without weakening our commitment to reinvest in our communities. Reinvesting in our community is something we do naturally and as a matter of good business. Our subsidiary bank, First Bank of Georgia, will be successful if our community is successful and as long as we promote the financial and economic needs of our community.

We also confirm that streamlining the exam process will not lessen in any way our bank's commitment to community reinvestment. However, it will free up human and financial resources that will allow us to redirect these energies to the community in making loans and providing banking services.

We endorse the FDIC proposed Community Development requirement for banks between $250 million and $1 billion which is more flexible and appropriate than the requirement of the large mega banks.

Thank you in advance for considering my views.

Sincerely
Patrick G. Blanchard
President & CEO