First State Bank of Blakely¹ was originally chartered in 1903 under the name First National Bank of Blakely and has operated continuously in Early County since its inception. The bank was owned and operated under the direction of Mr. S. G. Maddox, Sr. until his retirement in 1993.

A statement of condition in 1904 showed deposits of less than $75,000.  Today, First State Bank of Blakely and its banking divisions (branches) have deposits averaging around $500 million.

First State Bank acquired the Bostwick Banking Company charter in 1995 to offer its customers a branch in Arlington.  The branch operates under the trade name First State Bank of Arlington (Calhoun Co.).

In 1997, First State Bancshares of Blakely acquired the charter of First Federal Savings Bank of Southwest Georgia.  First Federal Savings Bank had existing locations in Donalsonville, Colquitt and Albany.   Donalsonville would be the charter bank operating under the name First State Bank of Donalsonville (Main office) with its branches, First State Bank of Colquitt and First Bank of Albany (which would later become First State Bank of Albany).    

In November 2002, First State Bank of Donalsonville would merge with First State Bank of Blakely.  First State Bank of Blakely then offered its customers five banking locations: First State Bank of Blakely (Main office); First State Bank of Arlington; First State Bank of Donalsonville; First State Bank of Colquitt and First State Bank of Albany

In March 2003, First State Bank purchased a building in Leesburg, Georgia (Lee County) and opened First State Bank of Leesburg bringing the total banking locations to six.

In the spring of 2010, First State Bank acquired a banking facility on Shotwell Street in Bainbridge, Georgia (Decatur County). The building underwent renovation and was opened in July 2010 as First State Bank of Bainbridge.

In the spring of 2020, First State Bank added an eighth location to meets its customers’ needs after completing the construction of a branch on Hancock Street in historic Fort Gaines, Georgia (Clay County). 

First State Bank is committed to providing our customers with the highest standard of care and customer service.

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¹ First State Bank of Blakely is a wholly owned subsidiary of First State Bancshares of Blakely, Inc.