Question 1

What is Community Bank of Pickens County?

Accepted Answer

Community Bank of Pickens County is a locally owned and operated community bank based in Jasper, Georgia. With approximately $613 million in total assets and $528 million in deposits, the bank serves individuals and small businesses throughout the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta metropolitan statistical area.

The institution specializes in small business lending, particularly through government-guaranteed loan programs, and has earned recognition as one of the largest SBA lenders in Georgia. With over 50 employees operating two full-service branch locations, Community Bank of Pickens County emphasizes personalized service and local decision-making.

Question 2

When was Community Bank of Pickens County founded?

Accepted Answer

Community Bank of Pickens County was founded in 2000, becoming the first bank to apply for a charter in the new millennium. The bank originally opened in a modular unit while a permanent 10,000 square foot facility was being constructed at the corner of Highway 53 and Sammy McGhee Boulevard in Jasper.

The original staff of thirteen employees grew to over fifty within the first decade. In 2008, the bank expanded by opening a second full-service location on Cove Road in Jasper. A further expansion occurred in 2014 to accommodate a growing Small Business Administration (SBA) loan center, reflecting the bank's commitment to small business lending in the region.

Question 3

Where is Community Bank of Pickens County headquartered?

Accepted Answer

Community Bank of Pickens County is headquartered in Jasper, Georgia, specifically at 15 Sammy McGhee Boulevard, Jasper, GA 30143. The headquarters is located in Pickens County in the northern part of the state.

Question 4

Where does Community Bank of Pickens County operate?

Accepted Answer

Community Bank of Pickens County operates exclusively in Pickens County, Georgia, with two full-service branch locations in the Jasper area. The bank's main office is located at the corner of Highway 53 and Sammy McGhee Boulevard, while the second branch is situated on Cove Road.

As part of the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta Core Based Statistical Area (CBSA), the bank serves customers throughout Pickens County and surrounding communities in northern Georgia. The institution maintains its focus as a true community bank serving local residents and businesses within its immediate geographic market.

Question 5

What services does Community Bank of Pickens County offer?

Accepted Answer

Community Bank of Pickens County offers a comprehensive suite of banking products and services for both individual and business customers.

Deposit Services: The bank provides various checking and savings accounts, along with competitive deposit products designed for both personal and business use.

Lending Services: The institution specializes in multiple lending categories including commercial real estate financing, construction loans, equipment financing, business acquisitions, consumer lending, and seasonal lines of credit. The bank is particularly active in the local home construction market.

SBA and Government-Guaranteed Loans: Community Bank of Pickens County is recognized as one of the largest SBA lenders in Georgia, offering SBA 7(a), SBA 504, and SBA Express loans up to $5 million. The bank also participates in USDA loan programs, including Business & Industry (B&I), Farm Service Administration (FSA), and Community Facilities (CF) loans.

Digital Banking Services: Customers have access to 24/7 online banking through desktop computers, allowing them to check balances, view transactions and check images, transfer funds, pay bills, and set up customized account alerts. The bank offers both personal and business online banking platforms.

Mobile Banking: The CBOPC Mobile Banking app is available for iOS and Android devices and includes features such as InstaBalance for viewing account balances without logging in, mobile check deposit, debit card management, bill pay, Zelle person-to-person payments, and branch/ATM locator functionality.

Business Banking Services: Business customers have access to ACH file transfers, direct deposit payroll services, merchant capture (remote check deposit), and merchant services for credit card processing and point-of-sale equipment.

Additional Services: The bank provides touchtone banking (24/7 telephone banking), mobile wallet compatibility (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay), and traditional in-branch banking services with extended drive-through hours.

Question 6

What makes Community Bank of Pickens County unique?

Accepted Answer

Community Bank of Pickens County distinguishes itself as the only locally owned bank in its service area, with local ownership extending to its Board of Directors and management team. This structure enables true local decision-making without external corporate oversight.

The bank has achieved exceptional recognition for its SBA lending performance, consistently ranking in the top 10 SBA lenders in Georgia. This accomplishment is particularly notable for a community bank with only two branch locations and approximately $613 million in assets. The bank maintains a dedicated SBA loan center established in 2014 to support its robust small business lending operations.

Community Bank of Pickens County emphasizes strong community engagement, with staff actively participating in local events and contributing time, money, and banking expertise to assist local businesses, individuals, and charitable organizations. The bank's marketing emphasizes that customers are recognized by face rather than account number, reinforcing its commitment to personalized relationship banking.

The institution has demonstrated solid financial performance with a return on assets (ROA) of 2.68% and return on equity (ROE) of 20.5%, reflecting efficient operations and profitable lending practices. The bank's tagline, "Local people you know and trust making local decisions," encapsulates its community-focused banking philosophy.

Question 7

What type of financial institution is Community Bank of Pickens County?

Accepted Answer

Community Bank of Pickens County is a State Non-Member Bank chartered under Georgia state banking laws and insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). As a state-chartered institution, the bank operates under the regulatory oversight of the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance as well as the FDIC.

The bank functions as a community bank, a designation that reflects its focus on relationship banking, local ownership, and service to a defined geographic market. Community banks like Community Bank of Pickens County typically emphasize personalized customer service, local decision-making authority, and deep involvement in the communities they serve, distinguishing them from larger regional or national banking institutions with more standardized operations and centralized decision-making structures.

Question 8

What recognition has Community Bank of Pickens County received as an SBA lender?

Accepted Answer

Community Bank of Pickens County has earned designation as an SBA Preferred Lender, a status granted by the U.S. Small Business Administration to high-performing lenders with proven expertise in SBA lending. This designation appears on the official SBA Preferred Lenders list for Georgia and allows the bank to make credit decisions on certain SBA loans without prior SBA review, significantly expediting the loan approval process for small business customers.

The bank consistently ranks in the top 10 SBA lenders in Georgia despite operating only two branch locations, demonstrating exceptional productivity and expertise in government-guaranteed lending programs. This level of SBA lending activity is unusual for a community bank of its size and reflects a strategic commitment to small business development in its market area.

Community Bank of Pickens County

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About Community Bank of Pickens County in the United States