Community First to be called Dogwood State Bank

Other than a name change, Community First Bank customers likely will notice little change, predicted the top officer of Dogwood State Bank interviewed this afternoon by 101.7/WGOG NEWS.  Dogwood’s CEO Steve Jones spoke enthusiastically about his bank’s upcoming merger with Seneca-based Community First Bancorporation, first announced February 1.  According to Jones, free checking for seniors and the retention of all Community First offices are among what will remain the same.  Enhanced technology and expanded products and services are being touted as benefits of the merger.  A merger agreement has been signed, but there’s a further process to complete before the combining of the two operations becomes complete.  “Just yesterday we filed out application with the FDIC and the state banking commission,” Jones said.  A four-to-six-month process is typical for regulatory approval.