Welcoming Chris Howe, SVP Commercial Lender in Houston County

Planters First Bank is pleased to announce the hiring of Chris Howe, SVP Commercial Lender in Houston County. Chris Howe, SVP Chris has 26 years of progressive banking experience and most recently worked at Great Oaks Bank as Middle Georgia Division President. Prior to joining Great Oaks, Chris worked for SunMark Community Bank as the Market Leader in Houston County. Other positions held throughout his career include Chief Credit Officer, Senior Analyst, Commercial lender, and...



World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is recognized on June 15th as a day to promote preventing abuse and neglect of elders. One of the most prevalent types of elder abuse is financial exploitation. WHAT IS ELDER ABUSE? Elder abuse refers to intentional or negligent acts by a “trusted” individual that causes (or potentially causes) harm to an older person. WHY DOES ELDER ABUSE OCCUR? Elder abuse is more common than we think. Signs of Elder Abuse Elder abuse can include...



Upcoming Holiday: Juneteenth

Planters First Bank will be closed on June 20, 2022, in observance of Juneteenth. June 19 became an official federal holiday in 2021 when President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act. Juneteenth is the ‘longest-running African American holiday’, and it recognizes June 19, 1865, as the date that news of slavery’s end reached slaves in Texas and other states in the southwest. This holiday celebrates the emancipation of those who had been enslaved in the...



Fraudulent Text Messages are Circulating

Planters First Bank and other area banks have received reports of fraudulent text messages targeting bank customers. Fraudsters are sending text messages that state that a customer's debit card has been locked and that the customer should call a phone number within the message to unlock their card. This is a scam and you should not call the number or provide any of your account or card information over the phone. Report a Lost or Stolen Card To report a lost or stolen card,...



Local Banker Graduates from Prestigious Compliance School

Angela C. Woodard, CRCM, CACTS, AVP/Compliance Support Officer of Planters First Bank, has graduated from the Georgia Bankers Association Compliance School. The two-year GBA Compliance School provides students with in-depth understanding and knowledge about the variety of rules, regulations, and requirements banks have to meet as they strive to serve the needs of their clients. The curriculum is designed so that graduates will have key management and technical skills to guide their...



Vacation and Travel Security Tips

No matter how you get to your destination or where you choose to stay, you will still be connected when you’re on vacation. Many travelers rely on technology even more to enhance their experience. As you embark upon your next adventure, stay cyber safe while away from home by following some simple practices to help keep your devices safe and your vacation plans from going awry. Getting ready to go Before you head out on vacation, here’s a simple security checklist to add to your...



Local Banker Sharpens Skills at Banking School

Dan Duchnowski, EVP, Chief Banking Officer at Planters First Bank, attended the 2022 on-campus session of the Georgia Banking School as a first-year student. Established in 1961, the Georgia Banking School is a three-year specialized school run by the Georgia Bankers Association. The purpose of the school is to prepare bank managers to effectively and profitably serve their hometowns by developing a thorough understanding of banking practices, regulations and management principles. When...



0% APR Introductory Rate for New Credit Cards

Credit cards designed for your needs. Act now and you can get a special 0% APR on purchases, balance transfers, and cash advances with a new credit card from Planters First Bank. Planters First Bank has a credit card that’s right for you, with options that include special discounts, cashback, rewards points, travel credits, no annual fees, ID theft protection and more. In addition to great options designed for your needs, all Planters First Bank credit cards feature convenient and...



National Small Business Week

Just as the “shop local” mantra has had a tremendous effect on local businesses, we urge you to consider also banking locally. There’s no one like Planters First Bank when it comes to small business banking. We go above and beyond to serve our customers with a perfect mix of local, concierge-level service, top-of-the-line technology, and southern hospitality. We work closely with you to understand your business needs – even meeting at your location if it’s more convenient for...



Turn your card on and off with Card Management

Our debit cardholders will now get the same security features and fraud prevention within your Planters First Bank Online & Mobile Banking. No need to download a separate app or remember another password! What you can do with Card Management... Turn your card on and off Set per-transaction spending limits based on various factors such as dollar amount, transaction type, or merchant type Receive alerts on all transaction attempts declined Set other instant alerts on all or...



April is Community Banking Month!

As we celebrate Community Banking Month, we're not just highlighting our efforts to make our community better, we're showcasing our partnership with YOU, our neighbors, friends, and customers! Click here to view our recent Customer Spotlights Listed below are a few facts about what sets community banks apart and why community banks are such a vital contributor to their local community. Community banks are locally owned and operated. An independent community bank is a locally...



21st Annual Farmers Appreciation Dinner

Planters First Bank’s leadership team is made up of experienced and local professionals ready to get to know you, your family, and your business. We believe in volunteering, making an impact, leaving the world just a little bit better than we found it. And we don’t hesitate to celebrate the accomplishments of our employees, customers, and community members—because it energizes all parties. Our goal is to help you succeed - because when you succeed, we succeed. Congratulations to all...