Queensborough National Bank and Trust Company is excited to announce its upcoming expansion into the Hinesville market. Melissa Deal, former chief operations officer of The Heritage Bank, will lead the bank in this new market. Deal has over 30 years of experience in banking in Hinesville and its surrounding markets.

Set to open in summer 2023, the Hinesville Queensborough office will offer a full suite of services for business and consumer banking, including mortgages and wealth management. The bank has acquired a property at 110 W. General Screven Way and is currently planning renovations. The Hinesville location will be the bank’s 25th retail branch.

Deal graduated from Brewton Parker College in Mt. Vernon with a bachelor of arts in psychology . She also received a graduate banking degree from the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colo.

“Melissa’s strong work ethic and many years of experience in the Hinesville market make her a great addition to the Queensborough team,” said Mike English, Queensborough senior vice president, Coastal regional manager. “Her values and talents align with Queensborough’s foundation and vision. As we begin our relationship with the Hinesville community, I am confident Melissa is the right person to lead this endeavor.”

Joining Deal will be Chris Ellison, who will manage the Hinesville office. Ellison graduated from Columbia College with a bachelor of business administration degree and has over 16 years of banking experience in the Hinesville market, most recently serving as branch manager at The Heritage Bank.

“Queensborough is a true community bank. We aim to be more than a financing or banking partner, but a real part of the local community,” said Bill Easterlin, Queensborough president and CEO. “Our bankers have the ability to make decisions on the local level, which is really what sets Queensborough apart. We’re looking forward to becoming part of a deep and diverse community here in Hinesville.”

Founded in 1902, Queensborough National Bank & Trust Co. recently celebrated 120 years of community banking in Georgia. Queensborough was named Great Place to Work and Best of Georgia in 2022, Best Small Bank in Georgia for 2021 by Newsweek and has 27 locations throughout the state. For more information, visit www.QNBTRUST.bank and find Queensborough on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram.