Features Editor

The First National Bank of Brundidge has filed an application Monday with the Comptroller of the Currency to establish a full service retail branch office in Troy.

Jimmy Ramage, president and CEO, said the decision to locate a branch office in Troy was made after looking closely at the 2000 census.

"What prompted the decision was the way the county is growing," Ramage said. "We have customers who have been with us for years who are moving to other areas of the county and to Troy.

In looking toward the future, we decided it would be beneficial to those customers, and to our bank, to have a branch office in Troy. We decided to play defense to help keep our customer base."

Ramage said he is very optimistic that the bank’s application will be approved by the Comptroller of the Currency.

"From what I have heard, First National Bank of Brundidge meets all the criteria required, so I feel confident that our application will be approved," he said.

Ramage said the bank is moving ahead with some initial renovations of the branch office which will be in the old Region’s branch office on Park Street.

Opening date for the First National Bank of Brundidge branch office has been set at Dec. 18.

"The branch office will be a full service bank with a drive-in window and an ATM," he said. "The office will have tellers and a loan officer and will be able to meet all of the banking needs of our customers."

The future of First National Bank of Brundidge is bright and Ramage said the opening of a branch office is not a set up to ladder sell to a corporate bank.

"We have no intention of selling," Ramage said. "We don’t want to sell. Our shareholders are committed to a community bank.

"The opening of a branch office is just a way to broaden our base and for our bank to continue to grow."