FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 3, 2020
Contact: Mike Odom, Chief Executive Officer
Phone: 912-663-9706
Email: modom@greatoaks.bank
GREAT OAKS BANK OPENS POOLER OFFICE AT SAVANNAH QUARTERS
The New Full-Service Banking Office Opens Today
(EASTMAN, GEORGIA)—Great Oaks Bank is continuing its expansion into coastal Georgia with the bank’s second full-service coastal office opening in Pooler, Georgia today. Formerly Citizens Bank and Trust, the bank rebranded to Great Oaks Bank in late June, 2020. Headquartered in Eastman, Georgia, Great Oaks opened its first office outside Middle Georgia in December, 2018 in Richmond Hill.
“When we began to envision a new roadmap for our future, we knew that expansion to the Savannah area would mutually benefit our bank and the market,” said G. Mike Odom, Jr., Chief Executive Officer of Great Oaks Bank. “Several of the community banks along the coast are becoming larger, more regional and losing the personal relationship style of banking we offer.” According to Odom, Jon Seagraves and Brad Brookshire, two of the leading community bankers in the Savannah area, are heading up Great Oaks’ expansion efforts in coastal Georgia.
“Brad and I come from the community banking model and we wanted to get back to a more local, service-based organization,” said Seagraves. “We believe that to be a quality banker you have to be very involved in the community.”
Seagraves serves as Coastal Division President for Great Oaks. “There’s a real value in banking with someone who is just as connected to your market as you are,” said Seagraves. “When you can walk in, speak directly with decision makers, and walk out with your banking needs met, then that’s the beauty of community banking.”
Brookshire, in addition to working alongside Seagraves to provide leadership in the coastal Georgia expansion effort, serves as Chief Credit Officer for the bank.
GREAT OAKS BANK OPENING POOLER OFFICE/Page 2
According to Brookshire, Great Oaks’ customers can get decisive answers quickly. “We don’t seek approvals from decision makers who may be several states away in order to take care of our customers. We are equally excited about our team of quality bankers at the new office.” Savannah banking veteran Joyce Kenard, who is part of the team in Richmond Hill, will be the Savannah Quarters Branch Manager. Kristi Dolan and Howard Hickey are Commercial Relationship Managers, and Katharine Miller has joined the team as Mortgage Loan Originator.
In Richmond Hill, Great Oaks will transition from its temporary office to a permanent location currently under construction and scheduled for completion in the Fall of 2020.
The new Savannah Quarters office is located at 2100 Pooler Parkway. For more information, visit GreatOaks.Bank or call 912-450-6257.
About Great Oaks Bank
Founded in 1934, Great Oaks Bank has $200 million in total assets with five locations including the new office opening soon in Pooler.
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Team Photo Caption:
Our Savannah Quarters team members (L to R): Kristi Dolan, Commercial Relationship Manager; Joyce Kenard, Branch Manager; Jon Seagraves, Coastal Division President; Monica Easter, Head Teller; Katharine Miller, Mortgage Originator; Howard Hickey, Commercial Relationship Manager; Brad Brookshire, Chief Credit Officer; and Lauren Martin, Customer Service Representative.
