Plans announced for new Dawson Co. bank

DAWSONVILLE - First Citizens Financial Corporation of Dawsonville is the holding company for First Citizens Bank of Georgia, a state bank to be headquartered in Dawsonville.

The first branch will be in Dawsonville, and within twelve months of start-up, officials say, an additional branch will be added in Forsyth County. The company's organizers filed an application with the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance in May and are awaiting preliminary approval. This announcement was made by Charles M. Buckner, president and CEO of First Citizens Financial Corporation and the proposed president and CEO of First Citizens Bank of Georgia (IO).

The First Citizens Bank of Georgia senior management team was recently named. It includes president and CEO Charles M. Buckner; Mike Underwood, Dawson County President; and Jim Bullard, Forsyth County President. Bullard will also take on the responsibilities of senior lending officer. Marsha Hansard will assist with business development and the upcoming stock sale. The bank's chief financial officer will be announced later.

The organizers and directors of First Citizens Bank of Georgia include: Michael L. Berg (chairman of the board of directors), Charles M. Buckner (president and CEO), Robert A. Followell, Stephen W. Gooch, Charles H. (Chuck) Gordon, Steven K. Leibel, Eugene E. (Chip) Pearson, John D. Pearson, Kent W. Sanford, Kevin K. Tanner, James A. Priebe, Jonathan C. Seib, and Todd A. Seib.

"We are excited to be organizing this new community bank that will serve the growing financial needs of local individuals and businesses," said Buckner, a 34-year bank veteran who has most recently served as president of Midtown Bank & Trust Company in Atlanta. "Dawsonville and the entire Georgia 400 corridor is a dynamic and growing area." First Citizens Bank of Georgia plans to open its doors for business late in the fourth quarter of 2006 or early in the first quarter of next year.

The bank has a temporary organizational office at 32 Jack Heard Road, Bailey Towers, Suite 110, Dawsonville, and will remain there for 2-4 months. After that, a double-wide modular bank unit will be placed on the site of the proposed bank building, just off Georgia 400 at Carlisle Road.