Bank branches get new name in Ga. county

Associated Press - October 19, 2009 8:14 AM ET

DANIELSVILLE, Ga. (AP) - A Madison County bank is operating under a new name.

The branches of Merchants & Farmers Bank in the north Georgia county opened Monday as First Citizens Bank branches.

The Athens Banner-Herald reports that First Citizens Bancorp. Inc. began installing new signs and switching Merchants & Farmers' computer and accounting systems Friday after the close of business.

The 74-year-old Merchants & Farmers Bank has branches in Comer, Colbert, Danielsville, Hull and Ila, and an office in a grocery store near Hull.

First Citizens, based in Columbia, S.C., bought Comer-based Merchants & Farmers in 2008.

A bank spokeswoman says Merchants & Farmers customers have received detailed information about their existing accounts and features of their new First Citizens accounts.

Information from: Athens Banner-Herald, http://www.onlineathens.com