The First Bank

• ALAlabama
  16 Offices in AL
• FLFlorida
  19 Offices in FL
• GAGeorgia
  29 Offices in GA
• LALouisiana
  20 Offices in LA
• MSMississippi
  25 Offices in MS

The First Bank, originally established as The First National Bank of South Mississippi on August 5, 1996, became a prominent financial institution in the region. It underwent significant changes over the years, including a name change to The First, A National Banking Association on January 26, 2004. The bank significantly expanded its footprint through a series of acquisitions, such as The First National Bank of the Pine Belt in Laurel, Mississippi, in January 2004, followed by First National Bank of Wiggins in Wiggins, Mississippi, in October 2006. Over the next decade, the bank continued its expansion strategy, acquiring various institutions including First National Bank of Baldwin County in Foley, Alabama, in April 2013, and Bay Bank in Mobile, Alabama, in July 2014. From 2017 onwards, The First Bank made several key acquisitions, including Gulf Coast Community Bank in Pensacola, Florida, and Iberville Bank in Plaquemine, Louisiana. In January 2022, the bank transitioned to a state-chartered bank and changed its primary federal regulatory agency to the Federal Reserve System. This marked the rebranding of the institution to its current name, The First Bank. Most recently, it acquired Heritage Southeast Bank in Jonesboro, Georgia, on January 1, 2023, enhancing its presence in the southeastern United States.

Below is a list of some important events in bank's history, including mergers and acquisitions.

01-01-2023Acquired Heritage Southeast Bank in Jonesboro, GA.

08-01-2022Acquired Beach Bank in Fort Walton Beach, FL.

01-15-2022Changed Primary Federal Regulatory Agency to FED.

01-15-2022Changed Bank Class to State Chartered Bank, member of the Federal Reserve System (FRS).

01-15-2022Changed Chartering Agency to State.