Georgia bank closed by regulators, 2nd U.S. bank failure this year

A community bank in west Georgia has been closed by state regulators, making it the second U.S. bank failure of the year, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). Customers will be able to access insured deposits through a Florida-based bank taking over most of the failed bank’s deposits and some of its assets.

Community Bank and Trust – West Georgia, based in LaGrange, Georgia, was closed on Friday by the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance, which appointed the FDIC as receiver. LaGrange is about 60 miles southwest of Atlanta.

The FDIC said it reached an agreement with Anchor Bank of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, to assume substantially all insured deposits and acquire certain assets of Community Bank and Trust – West Georgia.

As of December 31, Community Bank and Trust – West Georgia had $288 million in total assets and $268 million in total deposits. About $27 million in deposits exceeded FDIC insurance limits, though officials said that amount could change as more information is reviewed.

The failed bank’s three branches are expected to reopen during normal business hours on Monday as branches of Anchor Bank. Depositors will automatically become customers of Anchor Bank, and insured deposits will remain protected by the FDIC.

Customers will still have access to their insured deposits over the weekend by writing checks or using ATM and debit cards, the FDIC said. Checks drawn on the bank will continue to be processed, and loan customers should continue making payments as usual.

The FDIC estimated the failure will cost its Deposit Insurance Fund about $97 million. The estimate could change as retained assets are sold.