Brand Banking Company’s Deirdra Cox Appointed to the Board of Directors for the Georgia Real Estate Fraud Prevention and Awareness Coalition

Atlanta, GA, July 27, 2012 --(PR.com)-- On Wednesday, June 6, Brand Banking Vice President and Community Development Officer Deirdra Cox accepted her new position on the Board of Directors for the Georgia Real Estate Fraud Prevention and Awareness Coalition (GREFPAC). It’s an appointment she takes very seriously. After nearly thirty years in the banking industry, Cox is excited to be part of an organization comprised of professionals from all aspects of the real estate industry, working together and with federal, state and local regulators, law enforcement agencies, and concerned individuals to create environments that promote honesty, openness and fairness in real estate transactions.

“My role as community development officer takes me into some of the most economically hard hit areas in Metro Atlanta,” explained Cox. “I have spent years working the Southwest side of the City to bring economic literacy to the people in the community. GREFPAC is a part of my Georgia Community Banks Compliance/Community Reinvestment Act Collaborative, so it only seems natural that we should combine our resources to annihilate the blight and fraud in the hardest hit areas of Atlanta. Fraud is a breeding ground for foreclosure and shattered communities, on all levels – social, emotional and economical. The voice of unity and purpose is one that resonates throughout the halls of the regulatory agencies and the private sector. I see GREFPAC being instrumental in working with the private sector in conjunction with the community to ensure that the masses are educated, empowered and ‘fraud proofed’.”

The oldest locally owned bank in Gwinnett County that has since grown to include seven branches plus its Brand Mortgage subsidiary with a solid presence in the Southeast, The Brand Banking Company is committed to the financial well being of those in the communities it serves. As a representative of both Brand Banking and GREFPAC, Cox is a major advocate of ensuring a community’s access to the best resources available for both financial education and foreclosure prevention in order to make homeownership a sustainable lifestyle for future generations.

“Deirdra is one of those exceptional team members who is fueled by their passion to help others,” said Greg Shumate, CEO and Managing Partner for Brand Mortgage – a subsidiary of Brand Banking Company. “It’s that passion that will make her an incredibly valuable asset to the Board of GREFPAC. Here at Brand, we can always count on her to go the extra mile in her work as a community development officer as she seeks to educate both current and aspiring homeowners in hopes of eradicating fraud. I have no doubt that she will bring that same great attitude and work ethic to GREFPAC.”

Both Cox and Brand Banking Company are no strangers to collaborating for the good of the community. Through the Georgia Community Banks Compliance/Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) Collaborative, Brand Bank joins together with other community banks, non-profits and some for-profit organizations to better meet the needs of low to moderate income communities and understand the changes and regulatory demands of community banking. The company has also partnered with the Gwinnett Braves, several Non-Profit Organizations, and Affordable Lending Partners to reach the needs of the community. Brand Mortgage also hosts regular classes through its Post Purchase Homeownership Literacy Program.

“As a proponent of the CRA and a leader in economic development, the Brand families are committed to economic literacy and providing our communities with knowledge that will enable them to live sustainable lifestyles,” said Cox in closing. “We are here to create another legacy of wealth builders.”

To learn more about the Georgia Real Estate Fraud Prevention and Awareness Coalition, visit them online at http://www.grefpac.org.

About Brand Banking Company and Brand Mortgage:

Brand Mortgage stands tall on their century-long history of operating with respect, trust, and integrity. Brand Mortgage is a subsidiary of The Brand Banking Company, which was founded in 1905 and is one of the oldest privately-owned banks in Georgia. Brand Mortgage is focused on being the best and strongest lender in the Southeast. While they provide loans in 10 states, they have never outgrown their Georgia roots. Brand Mortgage is a full-service lender offering a wide variety of mortgage finance products. They help each and every client choose the best options to fit their budget and meet their individual needs. Brand Mortgage strives to take the guesswork out of the application process and explains all of the options in simple, straightforward language so their clients can feel comfortable and secure with their decision. To learn more about Brand Mortgage and their wide variety of mortgage finance products, visit http://www.brandmortgage.com. For more information about Brand Banking Company, visit http://www.thebrandbank.com.