Previous Douglas County Bank Customers:
Hamilton State Bank is pleased to announce that it has assumed certain deposits and assets of Douglas County Bank. (April 26, 2013 Press Release) It is our pleasure to welcome these new customers and employees to our growing family.
Your first question may be: “are my funds on deposit safe?” You can rest assured that your deposits are safe, sound and readily accessible. Your accounts with Hamilton State Bank are insured to the maximum coverage provided by the FDIC.
Here’s what you need to know now:
Previous customers of Douglas County Bank should continue to access accounts through the previous online banking system using the same username and password as used in the past.
Click HERE to access your Online Banking
(Hamilton State Bank’s online banking system will not work for your account until later this year).
On Friday, April 26, 2013, Douglas County Bank was closed by the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) was named Receiver. To protect the depositors, the FDIC entered into an agreement with Hamilton State Bank of Hoschton, Georgia to assume certain deposits, assets and liabilities of Douglas County Bank. The branches of Douglas County Bank reopened with normal business hours beginning Saturday, April 27, 2013, as branches of Hamilton State Bank.
Although the name of your bank has changed, you will continue to see many of the same faces in your bank that are already familiar to you. We value the former employees of Douglas County Bank and are excited about working with them to continue to provide you, our customer, with the quality service you deserve.
Business will continue as usual while we are making a few upgrades to streamline operational processes. We don’t expect this transition to inconvenience you in any way and we appreciate your continued business. We will keep you apprised of key information as we move through this integration process in the coming weeks. Please watch for notification from us that will come to you in the mail.
You may be wondering about your bank’s new name so we would like to tell you about us. Hamilton State Bank is a Georgia state-chartered bank founded in 2004. We operate branch locations in Braselton, Hoschton, Gainesville, Jefferson, Oakwood, Cumming, Cartersville, Acworth, McDonough, Locust Grove, Ellenwood, Stockbridge, Jackson and Monticello, Georgia. Over the past several years we have enjoyed growing our branch network and are pleased to have the opportunity to expand into your neighborhood. You can count on Hamilton State Bank to provide safety and soundness as well as competitive products and superior service. You can learn more about Hamilton State Bank by visiting our website at www.hamiltonstatebank.com.
As mentioned, we expect business to continue as usual. Later this year, accounts will move to the Hamilton State Bank's core system and you will be notified of any changes to your accounts and services well in advance.
If you have any questions about this information, please don’t hesitate to call your local branch or email support@hamiltonstatebank.com.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Will my checking accounts or loans change?
A: At this time you should continue to use your accounts as you have in the past. Your account number will remain the same at this time. You should continue to use your checks, debit card and ATM card as you have in the past. You should continue to make payments on your loan in the same manner as you have in the past.
Q: Will my accounts remain FDIC insured?
A: Hamilton State Bank accounts are insured to the maximum limits allowed by the FDIC. If you have concerns about your FDIC coverage you should contact your local branch.
Q: Are my funds currently on deposit “safe?”
A: We believe this acquisition is a very positive development for our new customers given the capital strength and solid financial condition of Hamilton State Bank. You can rest assured that you are dealing with a financial institution that values safety and soundness and works hard to meet and exceed all applicable regulatory requirements. In addition, all Hamilton State Bank deposits are insured by the FDIC to its maximum limits.
Q: Will the staff at my bank remain the same?
A: Hamilton State Bank wants to provide customers with the best service possible. We warmly welcome the staff you are familiar with in your local branch. We consider these staff members an integral key to our success and are happy to have them as part of our team.
Q: What do customers need to do now?
A: Hamilton State Bank will make every effort to have a seamless conversion that does not interrupt any banking activities. Customers will be notified by mail of any changes or necessary actions well in advance.
Checks: At a later date you will receive information concerning checks in the mail. Until you receive new checks you should continue to use the checks you have.
ATM & Debit Card: At a later date you will receive more information concerning ATM and/or debit cards. Until then you should continue to use your current card(s).
Online Banking & Bill Payment: For the present time you will continue to access online banking and bill pay as you have in the past. A link to the online banking system of the previous Douglas County Bank will be provided on our website. In the near future you will receive instructions for how to use Hamilton State Bank’s online banking system. For a preview of our online banking, visit: www.hamiltonstatebank.com then select “Tutorials” in the “Help Center” at the bottom right corner. You will not be able to view your accounts using Hamilton State Bank’s online banking system until a later date.
Loans: Loan customers continue to be bound by the terms of their existing loan agreements and should continue to make payments accordingly. Loan customers will begin receiving statements in the mail from Hamilton State Bank after a later date.
Q: Will my branch remain open and operate with the same hours?
A: Yes. At this time the previous branches of Douglas County Bank will continue daily operations as they have in the past. You will receive notification should any changes occur in the future.
Q: What will happen with direct deposit and automatic debits?
A: Customers will not be required to do anything for direct deposit or automatic debit transactions.
Q: What is the history of Hamilton State Bank?
A: The bank was founded in 2004 by a group of local business men and women and began operating branches in Gainesville and Braselton, Georgia. The bank quickly expanded in October 2006 with the acquisition of three offices in Jefferson, Hoschton and Hamilton Mill. The bank also opened its permanent main office facility on Hwy 211 in Braselton in October 2006. In March 2008, the bank opened a new facility in Oakwood and in December of 2008 acquired Jefferson State Bank in Cumming. In April of 2011 the bank acquired Bartow County Bank with branches in Cartersville and Acworth. In June of 2011 the bank acquired McIntosh State Bank with branches in McDonough, Locust Grove, Jackson and Monticello. In January of 2012 the bank acquired The First State Bank with branches in Stockbridge, Ellenwood, Locust Grove and McDonough, Georgia.
Q: Why did Hamilton State Bank purchase my bank?
A: Hamilton State Bank is committed to serving communities in Georgia and views the acquisition of these offices as a great opportunity for expansion. In addition, Hamilton State Bank is pleased with the quality staff members in these branches and is eager to see them continue to serve their established customers. Our goal is to not only retain your current business but earn more of it over the coming months.
Q: Is Hamilton State Bank a “strong” bank?
A: Hamilton State Bank is well capitalized and meets the approval of bank regulators. We were highly scrutinized by examiners before we were allowed to participate in acquisitions. We strive to reach a standard of excellence in our management, bookkeeping and daily operations. Our senior management team has a wealth of knowledge and is involved in all operations of the bank.
Q: Who should I contact if I have questions concerning my account?
A: You should continue to contact the same people and/or branch you have in the past with any issues you may have concerning your accounts.
Personal Banking | Business Banking | Online Banking | About Us | Privacy & Security | Contact Us | FAQs
Equal Housing Lender | Member FDIC | Electronic Deposit Insurance Estimator