First Volunteer Bank and Gateway Bank & Trust finalized their merger over the weekend according to bank officials. First Volunteer Corporation, parent company for First Volunteer Bank, acquired Gateway Bank & Trust in April. The merger combines two community-centered banks into one, totaling $880 million in assets with 280 employees and 24 banking offices.
“Today marks the start of an exciting new era for First Volunteer Bank,” said Patti W. Steele, president and chief executive officer for First Volunteer. “We are excited to be a part of the growing northwest Georgia market. Our customers in Ringgold, Fort Oglethorpe and LaFayette will see the same smiling faces they are accustomed to seeing in the branch, and can depend on the same great service, only the name changed.
“Our approach to banking is pretty simple. We gather customer deposits in the communities we serve and reinvest those deposits by way of loans to your friends, neighbors and small business owners. Northwest Georgia deposits will be loaned to customers in our northwest Georgia communities. In addition, First Volunteer brings additional banking services, a full-service insurance agency, as well as a full-time licensed mortgage banker to help you with purchasing or refinancing a new home.”