BARNES ANNOUNCES NEW BRANCH OPENINGS

PriorityOne Bank’s CEO, Robbie Barnes made the announcement earlier this week regarding some exciting plans for PriorityOne Bank in 2014.  In 2009, a lot was purchased at the intersection of Hwy.98 and Hwy.589 in Hattiesburg with the intention of constructing a branch on this site at some time in the future. In addition, property was also purchased in 2013 on the Hwy.49 frontage road in Collins next to the new Civic Center with the intention of constructing a branch on that site.   In PriorityOne Bank’s January Board meeting, the Board of Directors unanimously approved both projects and PriorityOne Bank is in the process of finalizing contracts and requesting regulatory approval to get the construction of these branches started.  It is expected that these branches will be completed sometime in the 4th quarter of this year and these offices will be open before the end of 2014.

In addition, for several years there has been discussion concerning PriorityOne Bank making a move into the Madison County market with a branch location. In regards to this, Barnes announced, “I am pleased to say that we have filed an application to open a branch in the Township at Colony Park on the Parkway in Ridgeland.  It is anticipated that this location will be open in the second quarter of 2014.  I am also pleased to report that we have hired Eddie Woodard to manage this office as our Madison County President.”  Woodard was employed with M & F Bank for the past 8 years and comes to us from Renasant Bank in Madison where he worked as a Commercial Lender.  Barnes said, “Eddie brings to us a wealth of knowledge and experience in the Madison market.”

This expansion will enhance PriorityOne’s ability to serve its customers by providing more locations for them to do business with the bank.  PriorityOne has partnered with Level 5 to design build the two branches that we will construct in Hattiesburg and Collins, which will be non-traditional branches without traditional teller stations and/or a separate drive through teller station.  This is a design that many banks are beginning to adopt and it provides a much more open feel for the customer as well as enhancing the overall customer experience.

When asked how he feels about the success and upcoming growth of PriorityOne Bank; Barnes stated, “None of this would have been possible without the support of our loyal customers and the hard work and dedication of each and every employee.  We are blessed to have some great employees who do a great job serving our customers and growing our business which has created these opportunities.”

PriorityOne Bank, based in Magee, Mississippi, operates in ten Mississippi communities:  Collins, Seminary, Hattiesburg, Magee, Mendenhall, Richland, Brandon, Pearl, Pelahatchie, and Morton. PriorityOne Mortgage also has mortgage loan origination offices in Hattiesburg, Collins, and in Brandon, Mississippi.  The bank has assets of approximately $525 million.