Nelson named president of Bulloch First

Caroline K. Nelson has been named president of Bulloch First bank, following the announcement that William E. (Wes) Simmons, Jr. will resign to accept an executive position with Horizon Home Builders of Savannah.

Nelson has served as vice president of Commercial Lending for Bulloch First since joining the bank in January 2020.

“We are fortunate to have Caroline assume the leadership role at Bulloch First and have tremendous confidence in her,” said Milton Gray, president and CEO of The Citizens Bank of Swainsboro. “She has demonstrated the ability to be an effective loan producer and leader because of her professionalism, expertise, and commitment to customers. We are excited about the future of Bulloch First under her leadership.”

Simmons has been with the bank since the office opened in 2015, serving as president since January 2020, and making significant contributions to the growth with assets exceeding $87 million.

He will continue to be actively involved with the bank as a member of the Bulloch First Advisory Board of Directors and a shareholder.

“We truly appreciate the incredible efforts that Wes has made to ensure the success of Bulloch First,” Gray said. “We owe him a tremendous debt of gratitude for all that he has done for our company. Although he will no longer be president of the bank, he will continue to be an advocate and supporter of our efforts in Bulloch County as an Advisory Board member and shareholder.”

Nelson is a 2005 graduate of University of Georgia and is currently attending Georgia Banking School. Nelson is a Board member for the Homebuilders Association of Statesboro, a Board member for the Coastal Area District Development Authority and is a member of St. Matthew Catholic Church. She is married to Davidson Nelson; they have two children, Scout Nelson age 5, and Thomas Nelson age 3.

“It has been an absolute pleasure to work with Wes and I cannot thank him enough for his leadership,” Nelson said. “He played an integral part in establishing Bulloch First and making it a successful community bank. It is my mission to build on our success and further build the Bulloch First brand with our incredible team.”

Bulloch First is a division of The Citizens Bank of Swainsboro. The bank has offices located in Swainsboro, Dublin and Statesboro.

IRS Reporting Mandates

Policymakers in Washington have proposed requiring banks to report virtually all their customers’ bank account information and activity to the IRS regardless of the customers’ consent.

While community banks do not endorse such broad IRS access to their customers’ account information, consumers need to be aware of the potential effects of this proposal.

Mandating new, broad bank account reporting to the IRS would infringe on the privacy of bank customers, push more people away from a banking relationship and overload the IRS with more personal information about American citizens than it can possibly process or keep safe from a data hack.

To be heard in Washington before this bank IRS reporting regime is enacted, please click here!

Ainsworth Promoted to Lead Community Banking Associate

Bulloch First is proud to announce the promotion of Jade Ainsworth to Lead Community Banking Associate. Ainsworth joined Bulloch First in April of 2017 as a Community Banking Associate. Her hard work and dedication are always noticed by our loyal customers and our staff. One of Ainsworth’s top priorities has always been to make our customers feel welcome and wanted as soon as they walk into the door. Ainsworth is a native of Statesboro, Georgia and is married to Justin Ainsworth. We are proud to have her on our team.

Lobby has re-opened

Effective Monday, May 3, 2021, the bank lobby has re-opened.

Ben Ross elected to Citizens Bank of Swainsboro Board

Ben Ross, president of Forest Heights Pharmacy, Inc., was elected recently to the Board of Directors for The Citizens Bank of Swainsboro and their holding company Swainsboro Bankshares, Inc. “We are fortunate to have another highly qualified individual to serve on our Board of Directors,” said President Milton Gray. “Mr. Ross is a successful entrepreneur who is wellrespected and strongly connected to the Statesboro Bulloch County market. He has been an active member of the Bulloch First Advisory Board since its inception. We are proud to have him serving on The Citizens Bank of Swainsboro and Swainsboro Bankshares Board of Directors as well. He will be a tremendous asset to our entire company.” Forest Heights Pharmacy, Inc. owns pharmacies in Statesboro, Sylvania, Midway, Lincolnton, Waynesboro and Savannah. He is a Cum Laude graduate of The University of Georgia School of Pharmacy earning his Doctor of Pharmacy degree in 2008. He is a member of Rotary Club of Statesboro, executive chairman of Bulloch County Drug Free Coalition, board member of Ogeechee Technical College and is an active member of First Baptist Church of Statesboro serving as a Sunday school teacher. He is married to Lauren Ross, and they have three children: Lanie Ross, Lucy Kate Ross and Reid Ross.

Coronavirus Update

March 17, 2020

During the COVID-19 pandemic event, we recommend utilizing our drive-in windows, ATMs, online, telephone, and mobile app banking services when possible to enhance social distancing, reducing the possible spread of the coronavirus.

Bulloch First Announces the addition of Caroline Nelson as Vice President of Commercial Lending

Bulloch First is excited to announce that Caroline Nelson has joined the bank as Vice President of Commercial Lending.

In her role at Bulloch First she will lead our commercial lending and business development efforts for the bank. She will be able to deliver a full line of banking services to our market with the speed and efficiency that community bank customers are accustomed to.

“Caroline is a talented and proven banker and we are extremely proud to have her on our team. She is a wonderful addition to our bank family and is a great advocate for our community,” said Wes Simmons, President of Bulloch First.

Caroline has 14 years of banking experience most recently as Vice President and Commercial Relationship Manager for Renasant Bank in Statesboro, GA.

She is a 2005 Graduate of the University of Georgia, she is a 2018 Graduate of Leadership Bulloch and currently a Board Member of the Coastal Area District Development Authority. She is married to Davidson Nelson and they have one daughter “Scout” and one son “Thomas”. Caroline and her family reside in Statesboro and are members of St. Matthews Catholic Church.

Bulloch First is a division of Citizens Bank of Swainsboro. The Citizens Bank of Swainsboro was established in 1900 as a state-chartered community bank and has a 120-year history of providing quality community banking services, with offices located in Swainsboro, Dublin, and Statesboro.

Abby Donaldson has been promoted to Assistant Vice President at Bulloch First Bank.

Abby Donaldson has been promoted to Assistant Vice President at Bulloch First Bank.

Bulloch First is proud to announce the promotion of Abby Donaldson to Assistant Vice President. Donaldson joined Bulloch First in March of 2016 as a Community Banking Associate and was promoted to Retail Manager in 2018; previously she was a Customer Service Representative with Heritage Bank of the South.

“Abby is a tremendous asset to our bank,” says Wes Simmons, President of Bulloch First, “She provides quality services to our valued Bulloch First customers. Abby has remarkable customer service skills and we are fortunate to have her on our team.”

Donaldson is originally from Indiana; after graduating with a degree in Business and Marketing from Lake Land College, she migrated south for warmer weather in 2009. Donaldson was a part of the Leadership Bulloch class of 2017. She is married to Andy Donaldson, and they attend Thrive Church in Statesboro.

Bulloch First is a division of Citizens Bank of Swainsboro. The Citizens Bank of Swainsboro was established in 1900 as a state-chartered community bank and has a 120-year history of providing quality community banking services, with offices located in Swainsboro, Dublin, and Statesboro.

Bulloch First Announces the Retirement of Gary Johnson and names new President Wes Simmons.

Bulloch First Announces the Retirement of Gary Johnson and names new President Wes Simmons.

William E. (Wes) Simmons, Jr. has been named President of Bulloch First Bank, following the March 31st retirement of veteran Statesboro banker Gary Johnson. Johnson has served as President of the financial institution since it opened September 15, 2015. Under Johnson’s leadership the office has grown to over $65 Million in assets and constructed a state of the art banking facility, located at 1101 Brampton Avenue in Statesboro. Johnson will continue to serve as a fiduciary member of the Board of Directors for The Citizens Bank of Swainsboro and holding company Swainsboro Bankshares, Inc. “We truly appreciate Gary and the leadership he has provided to make Bulloch First a success,” said Milton Gray, President and CEO of The Citizens Bank of Swainsboro. “We owe him a tremendous debt of gratitude for all that he has done for our company.”

Simmons has served as Vice-President of Lending for Bulloch First since the office opened in 2015. “We are fortunate to have Wes assume the leadership role at Bulloch First” said Gray. “He has been instrumental in the growth of our loan portfolio because of his professionalism and his commitment to the customers that he has the privilege to serve.  We are excited about the future of Bulloch First under his leadership.”

Simmons is a 2004 graduate of University of Georgia and is currently attending the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University. Simmons is a member of the Downtown Rotary Club of Statesboro, Sigma Chi Fraternity, Forest Heights Country Club, Board member of the Homebuilders Association of Statesboro, and member of Statesboro First United Methodist Church. In addition, he is a 2012 graduate of Leadership Bulloch, and 2013 graduate of Georgia Banking School. He is married to Haley Tillman Simmons; they have two daughters, Marylee Greta and Maggie Kay.

Bulloch First is a division of Citizens Bank of Swainsboro. The Citizens Bank was established in 1900 as a state-chartered community bank and has a 120-year history of providing quality community banking services, with offices located in Swainsboro, Dublin, and Statesboro.