Business owners can gain insight into today’s banking world, including what banks are looking for in prospective borrowers and how new regulations may affect lending, at a seminar offered 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Tuesday at the 8100 Bob Williams Parkway campus of DeKalb Technical College.

Banking consultant Geri Forehand, with Texas-based Sheshunoff Consulting + Solutions, will speak on the current state of banking in Georgia, the future of consumer lending and Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. regulations. The Banking 101 seminar is sponsored by the Covington/Newton Chamber of Commerce.

"(I want to give business owners) some exposure to what is really going on within the banking industry. We hear a lot of things, but my thrust will be to give them an industry perspective form my point of view. All I do is work in the banking world," said Forehand, who is based in Atlanta, but works with banks around the county. "I’ll also give them insight as to how bankers are looking at prospective borrowers and customers in light of some of the other issues put on Georgia banks."

Georgia has had the highest number of bank closures since the housing market collapsed and Forehand said that has led to some issues for community banks.

Chamber President Hunter Hall has worked with Forehand and invited him to speak at the event.

"I want business owners and bankers to understand what’s going on in the financial markets. If a business owner keeps his head down and is trying to run his business but has a line of credit up for renewal, he may not be prepared for possible changes," Hall said, noting Forehand may also touch on the reasons that banks can’t lend in some cases.

The seminar is free for chamber members, or $20 for non-chamber members. Call the chamber at (770) 786-7510 for reservations.