News Releases

Here is the latest news about HeritageBank you might find interesting as well as helpful, too!

 

Heritage Financial Group Named One of Georgia’s Top Companies

ALBANY, GA., July 23, 2007 – Heritage Financial Group, a multi-tier holding company for HeritageBank of the South, was recently named one of Georgia’s Top 100 public companies in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s “The Best of Business.” The rankings are complied by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an international accounting and business consulting firm. Each year, the list is published in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution based on overall performance. The five weighted variables used to determine the overall performance includes annual revenue, year-over-year revenue change, return on equity, annual change in profit margin in fiscal 2006 and total return on investment for calendar 2006.

O. Leonard Dorminey, CEO of Heritage Financial Group, responded to the announcement by saying, “We are delighted that The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has recognized the Heritage Financial Group as one of the Top 100 companies in Georgia. The board of directors, management team and staff are all very proud of what our company accomplished in 2006, and it is gratifying to see our performance acknowledged on such a prestigious list. We look forward to what we will accomplish in 2007.”

Founded in 1955, Heritage Financial Group is a multi-tier holding company for HeritageBank of the South headquartered in Albany, Georgia with six full service branch offices located in Southwest Georgia and one branch in Ocala, Florida. The Bank’s common stock is traded under the symbol HBOS and is listed in the National Market System of NASDAQ.

 

HeritageBank Opens First Ocala Branch

OCALA, FL, August 31, 2006 — HeritageBank of the South Chief Executive Officer O. Leonard Dorminey has announced the addition of three significant executives responsible for the start-up of the Bank’s new Ocala location. HeritageBank opened its first Ocala branch on Tuesday, August 8, 2006, and has appointed John N. Kirk as Regional President for the Bank’s Ocala/Marion County market. “We are extremely excited to have someone of John’s caliber leading the way for HeritageBank’s entry into Ocala,” Dorminey said. “He has experience in virtually every facet of banking and management and has extensive knowledge of the market.” In addition, Gary L. Platt has joined the Bank as Senior Vice President and commercial lender; and Austin W. Long, Sr. as Vice President and branch manager of its Ocala branch.

The bank’s temporary branch is in the Triple Crown Plaza located on State Road 200 at 11100 SW 93rd Court Road, Suite 8, adjacent to the new Wal-Mart Supercenter. The banking hours for the new Ocala branch are Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The office features a walk-up ATM. In mid 2007, they will move to their permanent location on State Road 200, one mile west of I-75, located in the Heath Brook development, across from Bonefish Grill. The new 4,400-square-foot state-of-the-art branch will feature three drive-through lanes, a drive-up ATM, a night depository, and safe deposit boxes.

“We are excited about establishing a solid foundation in Ocala/Marion County,” explains John Kirk, HeritageBank’s Regional President. “Our staff has always been a part of this great community and we are looking forward to making HeritageBank of the South a big part of Ocala’s continued growth.”

John N. Kirk, with over 16 years of banking and financial experience, is responsible for  overseeing all of the region’s business development activities, including retail banking, private banking and commercial real estate lending. Prior to joining HeritageBank, Kirk served as a bank president with a competing bank. He holds both a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from The Florida State University and a Master’s in Business Administration from The University of Florida.

Gary L. Platt, a long-time resident of Ocala, has over 38 years of banking experience in key management positions in the commercial banking industry. Among them, he served as Senior Vice President for a local bank, where he managed their commercial portfolio. He will play a key role in developing and growing the commercial business. Platt graduated from The Florida State University in Tallahassee with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.

Austin W. Long, Sr., who has been appointed Vice President and branch manager, is responsible for overseeing all aspects of branch sales and customer service operations. Long has over 24 years in the financial services industry and most recently served as branch sales manager with a local competing bank. Other new branch staff members include Ann Cox, administrative assistant in commercial lending, Michelle Hardaway, head teller and Beverly Pullings, teller.

Founded in 1955, Heritage Financial Group is a multi-tier holding company for HeritageBank of the South headquartered in Albany, Georgia with six full service branch offices located in Southwest Georgia. The Bank’s common stock is traded under the symbol HBOS and is listed in the National Market System of NASDAQ. For more information about HeritageBank, please call 352-291-9253 or visit www.eheritagebank.com.

Contact: John Kirk
352-291-9253