Bank's fourth branch opens in Columbia County

First Bank of Georgia officially opened its fourth branch bank in the Augusta area Friday, with a traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony and reception.

The new branch is located at 375 Furys Ferry Road and will be supervised by Vice President and Office Manager James W. Brantley. Prior to his new appointment, Brantley was the office manager of the West Town office in Martinez.

Patrick G. Blanchard, president and chief executive officer of Georgia-Carolina Bancshares Inc., the parent firm of First Bank, said the new branch "will provide a full array of bank services to the businesses, institutions and residents of the Furys Ferry Road area of Martinez, Columbia County, Georgia."

Remer Brinson, president and CEO of First Bank of Georgia, said, "The opening of this new office is another step in our strategic plan to become Augusta's Bank of Choice. The opening of this office, our fourth in the last three years, is evidence of the need of community banking in metro Augusta."

In addition to Brantley, the staff members of the new branch include Michelle Piper, assistant officer manager; Jennifer Lavin, customer service representative; Heather Reese, teller supervisor; and Nathan M. Strickland, teller.

First Bank of Georgia was organized in 1988 in Thomson under the name McDuffie Bank & Trust Co.

In early 1998, the bank changed it name to First Bank of East Georgia and later that same year to First Bank of Georgia.

The bank entered the Augusta market in 1999 with the opening of First Bank-Augusta in Daniel Village.