Question 1

What is Altamaha Bank & Trust?

Accepted Answer

Altamaha Bank & Trust is a community-focused commercial bank serving rural Georgia communities with personalized banking services and local decision-making. Headquartered in Vidalia, Georgia, the bank operates four full-service branches throughout southeast Georgia with approximately $325 million in assets. As a state-chartered, FDIC-insured institution supervised by the FDIC, Altamaha Bank & Trust specializes in commercial lending while serving both retail and business customers in Toombs, Montgomery, and Jeff Davis counties.

The bank operates as a subsidiary of Altamaha Bancshares, Inc., a holding company established to support the institution's growth and operations.

Question 2

When was Altamaha Bank & Trust founded?

Accepted Answer

The bank's origins trace back to 1946 when Milton and Wallace Brogdon formed a private bank in Uvalda, Georgia, called Brogdon Brother Bank. In 1966, Milton Brogdon applied for and received a state charter, officially establishing the institution as Brogdon State Bank on May 16, 1966.

After Mr. Brogdon's retirement in 1972, a group of local investors purchased the bank and renamed it "The Altamaha Bank," marking the beginning of the modern institution. The bank had approximately $1 million in assets at that time and operated solely in Uvalda.

In September 1977, the institution was renamed "Altamaha Bank and Trust Company" when it expanded trust services and opened an office in Higgston, Georgia. The bank formally adopted its current consumer-facing name, Altamaha Bank & Trust, in 2013 under the leadership of President and CEO Brent Sammons.

Question 3

Where is Altamaha Bank & Trust headquartered?

Accepted Answer

Altamaha Bank & Trust is headquartered at 206 Jackson Street in Vidalia, Georgia. The main office relocated to this downtown Vidalia location in 2005 after operating its headquarters in Uvalda for nearly four decades.

The bank officially moved its corporate headquarters from Uvalda to Vidalia in 2006, recognizing the significant growth in the Vidalia market and the presence of two branch locations in the city.

Question 4

Where does Altamaha Bank & Trust operate?

Accepted Answer

The bank operates exclusively in southeast Georgia through four full-service branch locations. These offices serve communities in the Vidalia micropolitan area, including:
• Vidalia (Toombs County): Two locations, including the downtown headquarters at 206 Jackson Street and a Mount Vernon Road branch
• Uvalda (Montgomery County): The original location at 203 West Main Street
• Hazlehurst (Jeff Davis County): A branch established in 1997

All branches are located within the Vidalia, GA Core Based Statistical Area, allowing the bank to maintain its community banking focus while serving a population base across three rural Georgia counties.

Question 5

What services does Altamaha Bank & Trust offer?

Accepted Answer

Altamaha Bank & Trust provides comprehensive banking services tailored to individual consumers and businesses:

Personal Banking Services:
• Checking and savings accounts
• Personal loans for automobiles, education, and home purchases
• Mortgage lending
• Trust services with limited trust powers
• Certificate of deposit accounts

Business Banking Services:
• Commercial lending with specialized expertise
• Business checking and savings accounts
• Business loans customized to local business needs
• Cash management services

Digital Banking Services:
• Online banking with account management, fund transfers, and loan payments
• Mobile banking app available on iOS and Android platforms
• Bill pay services with scheduled and recurring payment options
• Mobile check deposit allowing remote deposit capture
• eStatements for paperless account management
• Account alerts and notifications

The bank's digital services include secure encryption, fingerprint verification for mobile devices, and same-day credit for mobile deposits made before 4 PM on business days.

Question 6

What makes Altamaha Bank & Trust unique?

Accepted Answer

Altamaha Bank & Trust distinguishes itself through deep community roots and local decision-making authority. With nearly 80 years of history serving the same rural Georgia communities, the bank maintains a mission to "use proven expertise, personalized service, trusted guidance, and innovative technologies to build strong financial futures for the communities that we gratefully serve."

The bank combines traditional relationship banking with modern technology, offering comprehensive digital banking capabilities while maintaining a local presence with knowledgeable staff in each branch. As a community bank with commercial lending specialization, Altamaha Bank & Trust supports local business growth while remaining small enough to provide personalized service.

The institution's strong financial performance—with a return on assets of 1.80% and return on equity of 23.52%—reflects efficient operations and effective community banking practices. The bank has grown from $1 million in assets in 1972 to over $325 million today while maintaining its commitment to serving rural Georgia communities.

Question 7

What type of financial institution is Altamaha Bank & Trust?

Accepted Answer

Altamaha Bank & Trust is a commercial bank with a state charter operating as a Federal Reserve non-member institution supervised by the FDIC. This classification reflects the bank's dual focus on commercial lending and retail banking services.

As a state-chartered commercial bank, the institution maintains flexibility in its operations while adhering to Georgia banking regulations and FDIC standards. The bank's commercial lending specialization positions it to serve business customers while also providing full-service retail banking to individual consumers in its market areas.

The bank holds FDIC insurance under Certificate #19590 and maintains trust powers, allowing it to offer fiduciary services alongside traditional banking products.

Question 8

How has Altamaha Bank & Trust grown over the years?

Accepted Answer

The bank's growth story reflects strategic expansion and leadership continuity. Under the leadership of Gilman Jones (President until 1988), the bank grew from approximately $7 million in assets to nearly $39 million. His successor, W. Colon Sammons, led the institution through significant expansion, opening new branches and growing assets to over $330 million.

Key growth milestones include the 1989 Vidalia office opening, the 1997 Hazlehurst branch establishment, and the 2000 Plaza Office expansion. In 1999, the bank constructed a dedicated Operations Center in Vidalia to support its growing infrastructure needs.

The transition to third-generation leadership occurred in 2013 when Brent Sammons succeeded his father as President and CEO, ensuring continuity in the bank's community-focused approach while modernizing digital banking capabilities.

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