Chatsworth, Ga., July 1, 2021 – First National Community Bank announced today that the merger of Heritage First Bancshares, Inc., parent company of Heritage First Bank and First Chatsworth Bankshares, Inc., parent company of First National Community Bank has been finalized, effective July 1, 2021. With this transaction, First National Community Bank’s footprint will make it northwest Georgia’s largest community bank. The combined organization will comprise approximately $575 million in assets and $500 million in deposits.
First National Community Bank remains a locally owned community bank with all branches located within a contiguous footprint throughout northwest Georgia with the same local decision making, exemplary customer service and extraordinary involvement in the communities served. The organization’s northwest Georgia branch footprint is now comprised of 10 full-service banking office locations, across 5 Georgia counties in the cities of Adairsville, Calhoun, Cartersville, Chatsworth, Dalton (2 banking office locations), Eton and Rome (3 legacy Heritage First Bank banking office locations), a mortgage office in Dalton and loan production offices in Paulding County, Georgia and Chattanooga, Tennessee. This expanded footprint across these communities not only exponentially expands the bank’s geographic reach but connects staff, customers and communities together, broadening the community involvement impact in the communities the bank serves.
“We proudly remain a locally owned community bank with our core principles firmly centered on an exceeds-expectations delivery of products and services to customers, community and team that will continue to be the hallmark of everything that we do,” said President and Chief Executive Officer, Ryan P. Earnest.
In connection with the closing of the merger, Ryan P. Earnest has been named President and Chief Executive Officer of First Chatsworth Bankshares Inc. and First National Community Bank. Chuck Thornton has been named Chief Operating Officer, Brian Abercrombie has been named Chief Financial Officer, Vicki Knight has been named Chief Risk Officer, Eric Shields has been named Chief Credit Officer, Michael Baker has been named Chief Banking Officer & Rome Market President and Melissa Whisler has been named Sr. Vice President of Human Resources to round out the First National Community Bank Executive Team. Additionally, Kenneth F. Davis, M.D., Andrew C. Heaner, Thad W. Watters and Ryan P. Earnest have been appointed to the Board of Directors of the Bank, and Helmut H. Cawthon, Kimberly G. Mauer and Ryan P. Earnest will assume similar roles on the Board of Directors of the Bank’s Holding Company, First Chatsworth Bankshares Inc.
About First Chatsworth Bankshares Inc.
Founded in 1975, First National Community Bank, the wholly-owned subsidiary of First Chatsworth Bankshares, Inc., has approximately $575 million in total assets and $500 million in total deposits. We are a locally owned community bank with all branches located within a contiguous footprint throughout northwest Georgia with local decision making, exemplary customer service and extraordinary involvement in the communities we serve. The Bank operates 10 full-service banking offices in Adairsville, Calhoun, Cartersville, Chatsworth, Dalton (2 banking office locations), Eton and Rome (3 legacy Heritage First Bank banking office locations), a mortgage office in Dalton and loan production offices in Paulding County, Georgia and Chattanooga, Tennessee. For more information, visit www.fncbank.com.
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