Queensborough National Bank and Trust will celebrate its 115th anniversary on Friday with the milestone marked company wide. Queensborough is a community bank with locations across Georgia, including Statesboro.
        Queensborough was first chartered as First National Bank, a small community bank in Louisville, Ga., in 1902. As the first capital of Georgia, Louisville was a center of activity for the state at the time. Bill Easterlin, CEO of Queensborough, is the 4th generation of CEO's to lead the bank during their 115-year history. Easterlin's family helped start the bank in 1902.
        In 2006, because so many banks operating under the First National Bank banner that were not connected to them, they decided to change their name to Queensborough National Bank and Trust. It is the name of one of the original townships established by Irish Immigrants during the mid-1700s in Jefferson County.
        The Irishmen started the town on the edge of the Ogeechee River, just south of present day Louisville. They chose the name in tribute to the wonderful history of Jefferson County and the surrounding areas.
        Queensborough entered the Statesboro market more than two decades ago, opening a small branch on South Zetterower Avenue under the First National Bank banner. In 2010, Jeremy Ragan, a Georgia Southern graduate with More than a decade of banking experience was hired to serve as the market president. The bank moved to their current location on South Main Street in 2012.
        Companywide, Queensborough operates 25 branches throughout Georgia, including seven in Augusta and five in Savannah. Bank assets now exceed $1 billion.
        "Even though we have seen tremendous growth into two of Georgia's larger markets with Savannah and Augusta, our commitment remains to be an integral part of the rural communities we serve - communities like Millen, Sylvania, Metter, Swainsboro and many others," Ragan said. "And I cannot be more proud knowing that Queensborough has served the Statesboro community for over 20 years".
        Ragan also serves as the director of the companies' small business lending center for the 25 banks, which is headquartered out of the Statesboro location. They are the only Small Business Association bank that is listed as a Preferred Lender Program (PLP) member.
        According to the SBA website, the PLP is part of the SBA's effort to streamline the procedures necessary to provide financial assistance to the small business community. Under the program, SBA delegates the final credit decision and most servicing and liquidation authority and responsibility to the PLP lenders. Lenders are considered for PLP status based on their record with SBA, and must have demonstrated a proficiency in processing and servicing SBA-guaranteed loans.
        Queensborough is also known for their large portfolio of agriculture loans, personal and home loans.
        A bank-wide appreciation "PiQnic" will be held on Friday from 11am to 2pm. The event will take place at Queensborough's South Main Street location.
        There will be free food and beverages, prize drawings and a special drawing for a REC TEC grill. The public is invited.

        Please email DeWayne at dgrice@statesboroherald.com or call him at (912) 489-9499.