Regardless of how you feel about the banking community here in Bulloch County, you cannot deny it has been entertaining the last several years. In the last decade, local banks have been sold, new banks have been started, and bank executives and loan officers have played musical chairs, moving from one bank to another until they find themselves in just the right spot.
Well, true to form, things are about to get a little more interesting. Move over for the newest "player" on the local banking scene – The Citizens Bank of Washington County. Wait, a bank from Sandersville, GA, coming here? Let me explain.
Local banker, David Beaubien, has resigned as senior vice president of the Park Avenue Bank, to head a loan production office of the Citizens Bank of Washington County here in Statesboro while a Bulloch County sister entity of that bank is formed.
The new bank will not be a branch bank of the Citizens Bank of Washington County. It will be a separate bank and Beaubien is going to serve as its president.
In the interim, the Sandersville based bank will have a loan production office in Donald Nesmith's office park in the Market District where Beaubien said it will remain until a two story bank for the Bulloch County sister entity is built.
Citizens Bank is under contract to purchase a lot behind Lowe's in Robbie Franklin's business park development. The lot is on the corner of the Statesboro Bypass and the Brannen Street Extension.
Beaubien said construction on the bank should begin next May or June.
"We will be building a sizeable bank," Beaubien said. "We wanted a very visible location, and after much thought and deliberation, we really felt this was the best spot."
That is important to Beaubien as he as aspired for some time to start a bank from the ground up and "grow" it here in Bulloch County.
"I am a Georgia Southern graduate and have lived in this community since 1992," Beaubien said.
"I went to work for Wachovia here and then the Park Avenue Bank."
"I learned a tremendous amount in each of those jobs, but I have always wanted to be the president of a bank," he said. "That has been my career goal. My family and I want to stay here, and this will enable me to do both."
Beaubien said his will be a community bank dedicated to customer service and serving the needs of this community.
In case you are wondering, and I know that many of you are, I am told that market research supports the creation of another bank here. Maybe I will ask a few of the local bankers and see what they think. If I can print what they say, I will let you know.
Correction
Correction from last week's column: 67 Styles is remaining in its current location on Fair Road across from the Kiwanis fair grounds. The former owner of 67 Styles, Paula White, is opening the Market District Salon, Massage, and Bronze in the Donald Nesmith's office development.
Until next week, I bid adieu.
Got a scoop for Jan? Call her at (912) 489-9463 or e-mail her at jmoore@statesboroherald.net
Well, true to form, things are about to get a little more interesting. Move over for the newest "player" on the local banking scene – The Citizens Bank of Washington County. Wait, a bank from Sandersville, GA, coming here? Let me explain.
Local banker, David Beaubien, has resigned as senior vice president of the Park Avenue Bank, to head a loan production office of the Citizens Bank of Washington County here in Statesboro while a Bulloch County sister entity of that bank is formed.
The new bank will not be a branch bank of the Citizens Bank of Washington County. It will be a separate bank and Beaubien is going to serve as its president.
In the interim, the Sandersville based bank will have a loan production office in Donald Nesmith's office park in the Market District where Beaubien said it will remain until a two story bank for the Bulloch County sister entity is built.
Citizens Bank is under contract to purchase a lot behind Lowe's in Robbie Franklin's business park development. The lot is on the corner of the Statesboro Bypass and the Brannen Street Extension.
Beaubien said construction on the bank should begin next May or June.
"We will be building a sizeable bank," Beaubien said. "We wanted a very visible location, and after much thought and deliberation, we really felt this was the best spot."
That is important to Beaubien as he as aspired for some time to start a bank from the ground up and "grow" it here in Bulloch County.
"I am a Georgia Southern graduate and have lived in this community since 1992," Beaubien said.
"I went to work for Wachovia here and then the Park Avenue Bank."
"I learned a tremendous amount in each of those jobs, but I have always wanted to be the president of a bank," he said. "That has been my career goal. My family and I want to stay here, and this will enable me to do both."
Beaubien said his will be a community bank dedicated to customer service and serving the needs of this community.
In case you are wondering, and I know that many of you are, I am told that market research supports the creation of another bank here. Maybe I will ask a few of the local bankers and see what they think. If I can print what they say, I will let you know.
Correction
Correction from last week's column: 67 Styles is remaining in its current location on Fair Road across from the Kiwanis fair grounds. The former owner of 67 Styles, Paula White, is opening the Market District Salon, Massage, and Bronze in the Donald Nesmith's office development.
Until next week, I bid adieu.
Got a scoop for Jan? Call her at (912) 489-9463 or e-mail her at jmoore@statesboroherald.net