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South Georiga Bank opens investment here
BIZ ribbon cutting 1
South Georgia Bank President Bran Thompson, center, is joined by bank employees, community leaders and friends for a ribbon-cutting Friday to celebrate the grand opening of the bank’s new Hinesville branch. - photo by Photo by Jen Alexander McCall
South Georgia Bank President Bran Thompson extended a warm welcome to visitors on a cold, rainy morning for the bank’s ribbon-cutting in Hinesville.  The bank officially opened the doors to its fourth branch Friday, exchanging a temporary home on Highway 84 for new, permanent digs on Main Street.
“The decision to open a branch here was not a difficult one,” Thompson said before the ribbon cutting. “We have a large customer base in Liberty County, so it was a logical step to meet the needs of our existing customers and an opportunity to draw new ones.”
The bank was founded in the mid-1980s with a focus on home lending. These days, the bank’s business is a mix of personal accounts and personal and small-business loans, according to Thompson. The main office for South Georgia Bank is in Glennville, with branches in Claxton and Reidsville.
Thompson said he hopes the improving economy will encourage potential banking customers to come to South Georgia Bank for business and personal lending needs. To further entice new clients, the bank launched a drawing to become a “millionaire for a day.” The prize is actually double the amount a day’s interest on $1 million would draw — roughly $150. Bank officials drew the winner’s name Friday afternoon.
Several county leaders attended the ceremony to extend warm welcomes to the new business. “In coming here, you see that our economic condition is such that you can branch out and build a new facility, and we want to congratulate you,” said John McIver, chairman of the Liberty County Commission. “We hope this investment will spur economic success in Liberty County.”
Liberty County Chamber of Commerce President Kenny Smiley called the new branch “a great investment in community” and added that the chamber looks forward to building a relationship with the bank. “I am stoked that you’re here,” he said.
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