With 12 banking offices and a major part of its workforce in Middle Georgia, State Bank has a reputation for providing high-touch and superior service for personal and business customers. State Bank also embraces its responsibility as a community bank to help Middle Georgia grow and prosper.

“As a community bank we serve the banking needs of the market through loans, deposits, access to funds and the services that go along with a banking relationship,” said Spencer Strickland, State Bank Middle Georgia Regional President.  “We are also very committed to the community and helping it be all it can be.” 

Investing in the economic growth of Middle Georgia is a primary focus of State Bank’s community outreach.

“When you talk about being a community bank, the more vibrant economically the community is, the more we all benefit,” said Strickland. “We are involved as much as possible and we take our commitment seriously. We also encourage other businesses and industries to take the opportunity to be engaged at a higher level. It requires all of us working together to move Middle Georgia to new heights.” 

Advocating economic development ensures that Middle Georgia retains a thriving business environment with an appealing quality of life for all citizens. 

Strickland emphasized the importance of State Bank’s involvement in the 21st Century Partnership, an organization comprised of business and community leaders working to protect long-term viability and sustainability of Robins Air Force Base and economic development in the region. 

“The base is such a huge economic impact for Middle Georgia,” said Strickland. “It is important that State Bank contributes financial support to this effort. The growth of the base benefits all businesses, as well as our school systems. It touches us all in positive ways and we want to make sure it stays strong.”

Strickland and Dan Forrester, State Bank Executive Vice President for Community and Government Relations, both serve on the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce and were part of the recent Total Resource Campaign. The campaign raised more than $300,000 to support programs and activities for the chamber during the year.

“The Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce is very important to Middle Georgia and the wellbeing of our citizens,” said Forrester. “It serves as the business advocate and economic development organization which partners with others to make our community a better place to live and work.” 

Through the Rebuilding Macon and New Town Macon initiatives, State Bank is investing in improving the quality of life for elderly and disabled homeowners and the revitalization of Macon’s historic district.

Rebuilding Macon helps low-income elderly and disabled citizens make home improvements. State Bank Vice President Brent Collins, along with approximately 20 bank employees volunteer their time each year to renovate, paint, and repair homes for those who are unable.

Forrester, along with Dan Speight, State Bank Vice Chairman and General Counsel, are part of the New Town Macon revitalization initiative. The group was established to develop new residential space, create jobs, and develop a sense of place in downtown Macon.

“State Bank has supported the efforts of New Town Macon financially as well as having individuals serving on the board,” said Forrester. “We believe that downtown is a core part of our community and will benefit us all for it to be revitalized.” 

A vital element of economic growth and revitalization is dependent on a healthy workforce and educational partners. Middle Georgia benefits from having private and public colleges and universities in the region, including Middle Georgia State University, Mercer University, Wesleyan College, Georgia College, Fort Valley State University, and Central Georgia Technical College. 

“We support the efforts of all our regional education institutions,” Forrester said, “They all are a vital part of our community.” 

Helping people is at the heart of State Bank’s philanthropic and community service mission. State Bank employees, at all levels, serve on various non-profit boards and volunteer hundreds of hours annually to organizations throughout Middle Georgia.

“We encourage our employees to become involved in the areas that interest them, and then we support those efforts,” said Strickland. “The more engaged our employees and the more interested they are in helping the community, the more we want to support their efforts. It creates a win-win situation, where the community benefits through a better quality of life and economically it supports State Bank’s customers.” 

United Way of Central Georgia is a major community outreach for State Bank employees. Strickland and Forrester both serve on the board of directors, along with Christie Drexler, State Bank Market President for Houston County, and Bruce Leicht, State Bank Bibb Market President, who is current board chairman. State Bank’s contribution to the United Way of Central Georgia in 2014 was $114,000, which includes a corporate gift of $20,000.

State Bank’s employees also are generous supporters of the American Heart Association, with total financial gifts from employees ranking the bank as the third largest contributor in Central Georgia.

"We strategically try to be involved in programs that move Middle Georgia forward in terms of economic development,” said Strickland.  “We also believe any business that has a stake in the future of this region should be actively engaged in organizations that have a positive impact for their employees and customers.”