5 Ga. banks added as needing to improve

ATLANTA - The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation says five small Georgia banks have been added to the list of those needing to improve their finances and operations.

Institutions on the list released Monday are First Bank of Dalton; Bank of Ellijay; Piedmont Community Bank, Gray; Northwest Georgia Bank, Ringgold; and High Trust Bank, Stockbridge.

The FDIC says the banks must boost their capital levels and take steps to shore up their balance sheets, including reducing the number of bad loans on their books.

Each of the banks is saddled with bad loans. For example, Piedmont Community has $26 million in severely delinquent loans, compared to just $6 million a year ago.