Will Sanford, assistant vice president for Farmers & Merchants Bank, has been reassigned as the branch manager at FMB’s Brannen Street location.
Brett Morgan, president of FMB said: “We plan to utilize his years of banking experience and expand upon the services offered in the area. Will Sanford is dedicated to this community and will bring that focus into serving our customers at that location.”
Sanford has worked in finance for more than 27 years and has been both a consumer and business lender for more than 20 years. Originally from Fitzgerald, Sanford moved to Statesboro to attend Georgia Southern and later graduated from the University of Georgia Banking School. Sanford joined FMB in May 2005.
“This community means so much to me and my family,” Sanford said. “We love being active in organizations that give back to this area. And I am pleased to be at Brannen Street branch where I can continue to create new personal relationships with our customers, which has been the foundation and strength of FMB for the last 70 years.”
FMB is expanding services at the Brannen Street office to include universal banking to assist customers in consolidating their banking needs.
Also, Lisa Deal Hodges was promoted to branch manager and will oversee all operations at the Brooklet Branch located at 129 Parker Avenue South. Currently, Hodges specializes in agriculture lending. She is an assistant vice president and business lender for FMB. Hodges started with FMB in October 2005.
“At this office, we are more centrally located and I am closer to my customers which better serves their needs,” she said. “All of my customers are really pleased with my move and promotion. We can provide them with everything they need, and if need be, we can go to them.”
Morgan said: “Lisa Hodges brings a vast amount of understanding and experience to our lending team. Even though she has a strong ag portfolio, she is also a knowledgeable business lender. We are excited about all of the changes that have occurred at our Brooklet Branch and we have a wonderful person in Lisa Hodges heading that up.”
Finally, Crystal Cross was promoted to universal banker and assistant branch manager at the Brannen Street Branch in Statesboro. Cross completed the ICBA – Independent Community Bankers of America’s Universal Banker Certificate Program – and also completed the Consumer Lending School with the Community Bankers Association of Georgia.
“A universal banker has training in all areas of consumer banking, from teller transactions, to account opening and maintenance and even expanding into consumer lending,” she said.
Universal bankers at FMB will streamline the banking experience to be one stop, one CSR and one transaction, Morgan said, to provide a more customized banking experience for customers.
Morgan said: “Crystal Cross has been an asset to FMB the day she started. She is dedicated and committed to our customers.”