Member Spotlight 8/14/24

Planters First Bank, Cordele, announces the following:

Genny Newton has been promoted to Treasury Sales Officer.

Ashley Sumner has been promoted to Solution Center Treasury Associate.

Tracy NeSmith, AAP Vice President, effective September 27, 2024, after 33 years of dedicated service.

Read announcement. 

Planters First Bank, Hawkinsville, hosted a retirement celebration for Ernestine Taylor’s for her 46 years of service as a teller. Existing staff, former staff, family, customers, and shareholders helped Ernestine celebrate.

Trio South Bank will be established as a division of Oconee State Bank to brand operations outside of Georgia, while maintaining the same vision, mission, core values, and commitment to excellence. 

Mike Hill will serve as Executive Vice President and President of Trio South Bank

John Hunter will serve as Senior Vice President and Tri-Cities Community President, driving success in Johnson City, Bristol, and Kingsport, Tenn. 

Diane Siedentopf will work with Mike and John as a Commercial Loan Specialist (CLS).

Read press release.

 Oconee Financial Corporation and Oconee State Bank, Watkinsville, formally announced plans to expand into Southeast Georgia and Tennessee.  Oconee, pending regulatory approvals, will establish hybrid Loan Production and Deposit Production offices in Statesboro, Ga. and Johnson City, Tenn.

Michael Thigpen has been named Regional President of Southeast Georgia.

Dustin Vernon will serve as Senior Vice President and Statesboro Community President. 

Additionally, Ryan Ernest, CEO, First National Community Bank, was recently featured in American Banker. The has taken a conservative yet successful approach to growth, focusing on organic expansion. The Dallas branch is the bank's 11th, and Earnest sees it as a blueprint for future growth in Northwest Georgia, with potential expansions into Northeast Alabama or Southwest Tennessee.

CBA President & CEO John McNair was quoted in the article, noting the broader trend of businesses relocating to Georgia, driving demand for banking services. "Instead of a spiral downward it sort of spirals upward. We continue to see businesses from other states locate to Georgia. … Those businesses drive jobs. People that work obviously need banking services. The big businesses help little businesses get started."

Georgia is also seeing banks from surrounding states, including Tennessee, the Carolinas and Florida, enter the market in much the same way First National Community expanded in Paulding County, according to McNair. "They start with a loan production office but then ultimately expand with a full retail facility," McNair said.

Read article. (subscription required)

First National Community Bank, Chatsworth, held the grand opening of the bank’s newest branch at 104 Village Walk in Dallas.  Congratulations to CEO Ryan Earnest, Market President Alex Crenshaw and Branch Manager Jennifer Hunton. Connie Shepard, AVP, Professional Development and Member Engagement at CBA, was honored to attend the ribbon cutting and reception.