Feds shut down First National Bank; deposits safe with United

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Friday, October 22. 2010

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First National Bank of Barnesville and its branch in Zebulon were closed late Friday afternoon by the Comptroller of the Currency and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) was appointed receiver.

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#1 Anonymous on 10/22/10 at 04:31 PM

They took my cash deposit at the drive-through and did not say a thing at 5:00 this afternoon. I know that my money is still safe and but unsure if is available on Monday when they said it would post to the account. Would have been nice if they would have mentioned it to me!

#2 Anonymous on 10/22/10 at 04:45 PM

The employees would not have known until after the bank closed.

#3 Anonymous on 10/22/10 at 04:46 PM

with so many businesses closing,seems to me people need to get better about living by the saying "shop local"...this is crazy.red rooster,obs,the old chinese place,sonic,davis cooper....we really need to start supporting our community better.

#4 bank man on 10/22/10 at 05:49 PM

THIS IS THE WORST CASE SCENERIO FOR THE PEOPLE OF BARNESVILLE. FNB CLOSING WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN THAT SIGNIFICANT(EXCEPT FOR STOCKHOLDERS)IF ANY OTHER BANK HAD TAKEN OVER THAN UNITED. NOTHING AGAINST UNITED , BUT NO BANK SHOULD HAVE A MONOPOLY , EVEN IN A SMALL TOWN.

#5 WAIT A MINUTE on 10/22/10 at 06:05 PM

This now gives credit to a rumor that I heard last week. Aparrently a group of Indian and African American investors from Atlanta were trying to purchase the old EMC property on College Dr. and tear it down and build a new Bank. They were supposedly armed with a large amount of stimulus money and were looking to compete with other banks in small to midsize communities. I was told that they had so much government money that they could compete with anybody.I for one hope that it is true. United bank hasnt any minority loan officers or anyone of color at a higher level and FNB only had one. Maybe that is one reason it is so hard for minority buisnesses to get funding in this area. I hope its not true about United Bank taking over McIntosh State Bank in Jackson also. We can only wait and see but it sure seems dangerous for any one bank to hold all the power in any one area.

#6 Anonymous on 10/22/10 at 06:08 PM

I really hate this for the people that have always worked with fnb! God bless you all!

#7 Justin Cayce on 10/22/10 at 06:34 PM

Did you aee this ....

FNB president/CEO George Butler said.

"Many of our borrowers were unable to meet the terms of their obligations to the bank. Lack of performance by our borrowers on loans made by the bank have been widespread. The collateral on most of those loans was real estate. Real estate values declined so significantly the bank's capital had to be used to absorb the losses. Our customers and depositors can rest assured FNB management and the board of directors have done everything possible to avoid the closure of the bank,"

Soooo, may we conclude that the management had no fault for allowing BAD LOANS in th first place!!!

#8 no you wait a minute on 10/22/10 at 07:13 PM

Indian and african american investors armed with stimulus money...that sounds about right. Hell the "minority"-owned entrepreneurs have access to all our taxpayer money through the sba in grants and low interest loans. Its the hard working, taxpaying regular folks that catch hell trying to get a loan or "funding" as you refer to it. As far as minority loan officers or lack thereof, I don't think that is a factor in whether an aspiring rap artist can get a loan or "funding". Kudos to Unitedbank for stepping up and saving fnb customers up to one million dollars in uninsured deposits.

#9 Patti Ogilvie Greenway on 10/22/10 at 07:23 PM

This is a very sad day for the people of Barnesville to have see happen. But I am glad that United Bank was able to come to an agreement with the FDIC and help out the people of Barnesville with this situation. What would have happened to your money if they hadn't done this? You may have not been able to have access to it. So I don't think I would be too judgmental or worried about there being one bank in the town.

#10 Anonymous on 10/22/10 at 08:04 PM

your money is insured by the federal government. You were not going to loose a dime anyway

#11 lizzybegood on 10/22/10 at 08:24 PM

Your money is insured up to 250k and it seems that some customers had excess of that amount. Kudos to United Bank for stepping in. I am a big fan of local banks and credit unions.

#12 Steven Duke on 10/22/10 at 08:28 PM

The money or that was saved by UB had nothing to do with deposits under 250K. There would be few deposits with amounts that would be uninsurable. The money that was saved by UB was more colateral based than actual money.

#13 Anonymous on 10/22/10 at 08:32 PM

The people who had more than the insured $250,000 in their accounts certainly would have lost money. UB did the right thing when they stepped in.

#14 Anonymous on 10/22/10 at 08:35 PM

Not all the money was insured by the "Federal Government".
You must have missed the part that said United Bank then entered into an agreement with FDIC to purchase those deposits and assets, saving FNB depositors an estimated $700,000 to $1 million in UNINSURED deposits."

#15 Anonymous on 10/22/10 at 08:46 PM

All I can say is, you idiots loved the Republicans non regulated banking industry. Now, the chickens have come home to roost! How do you like that republican deregulations now? LOL!!!!!

#16 Anonymous on 10/22/10 at 09:33 PM

Isn't that the truth. Just like with the bailouts. These same people preach that government need to stay out of their life until they need the government for their problems.

#17 ggscocoa on 10/22/10 at 09:34 PM

I was in Zebulon twice today making deposits and it was business as usual...I was in there at 3pm the last time. Hoping that my things clear so I can close my account....Scary that we had no warning!!! I know the Zebulon location didn't do alot of business but I think the Barnesville location was always busy!Wondering what will happen to all the employees... can't imagine that they will keep these locations open for long with UB locations being so close.

#18 Judy on 10/22/10 at 09:39 PM

"All I can say is, you idiots loved the Republicans non regulated banking industry. Now, the chickens have come home to roost! How do you like that republican deregulations now? LOL!!!!!"

Greenspan who was well loved by Democrats as well as many Republicans oversaw the piecemeal unraveling of bank regulation. However the crucial piece of legislation which repealed the Glass- Steagall Act of 1933 was the bipartisan Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act signed in 1999 by President Clinton.
Was Clinton Republican? What kind of person are you to find humor in what is happening economically in this country?

#19 Anonymous on 10/22/10 at 09:43 PM

Whos next? Past Time Grill?

#20 Anonymous on 10/22/10 at 09:52 PM

Insured by the federal government, the same federal government that is in severe debt, and is printing up money with nothing to back it up?

How comforting.

#21 Anonymous on 10/22/10 at 10:18 PM

Clinton may have been a Democrat, but that was Newt's Republican Congress that passed that bit of legislation.

#22 Anonymous on 10/22/10 at 10:21 PM

Although UB may only be in Barnesville now, they are also in many other towns with competing community banks. Their policies stay the same no matter which town they are in so a monopolistic system does not apply in this situation.

#23 Anon on 10/23/10 at 12:19 AM

In due time my friend!!!!

#24 cats on 10/23/10 at 05:26 AM

I'm concerned for those employees who are now out of a job, and I'm assuming they found out at the end of the day when the bank was shuttered. My condolences to those employees who are now without a job.
Times are tough all over. Rather than point fingers at loan officers and worry about our individual selves, perhaps it's time to look beyond and take time to reflect on the unfortunate situations our friends and neighbors may find themselves in.

#25 Sunny Ideas on 10/23/10 at 05:38 AM

Hey, hey....
Do N O T even joke about Past Time!!!

#26 Rankin Fyle on 10/23/10 at 06:03 AM

Thank goodness for the New Deal, the FDIC, and
FDR. Without this we'd all be toast.

#27 anon on 10/23/10 at 06:49 AM

UB saved the FNB jobs. Without UB stepping in, Friday would've been their last employed day. UB did this in order to save the jobs and many community members money.

#28 Holly Johns on 10/23/10 at 07:00 AM

Can you say "Enron"? How many of the good ole boy society had prior notice and dumped their shares? I am concerned that you expect the public to beleive that no one had prior knowledge of the failure/closure of FNB. Mr. Butler's comments verify that "the FNB management and Board of Directors have done everything possible to avoid closure of the bank". Who in that elite group lost money on the now worthless shares?

#29 Anonymous on 10/23/10 at 07:11 AM

I'm republican and my money is safe at FNB even with over $250K so what's your point idiot? I've invested also alot of money in numerous banks in different counties like any normal smart person would. Get rid of Obama and everyting will eventually go back to normal some day.

#30 Anonymous on 10/23/10 at 07:58 AM

I dont understand why people are mad did you want UB to get let the FDIC close the doors for good and let all 30 something employees loose there job? and all the people with almost 1 million dollars uninsured to be lost? I guess you are the ones that dont care about your community. UB passed on this until no one steped up to the plate to save FNB so you should be thanking UB they are the ones trying to help the community!

#31 lizzybegood on 10/23/10 at 08:13 AM

Exactly Holly, I was thinking the exact same thing. I definitely think that this is something that needs to be investigated, I'm betting a few of those in the know dumped their shares before it was too late.

#32 Anonymous on 10/23/10 at 08:19 AM

All of that "elite" group lost a yon of money in stock, stupid!

#33 Sunny Ideas on 10/23/10 at 08:34 AM

I have always been a FNB customer, I'd like to say a HUGE 'THANK YOU' to United Bank for looking after FNB employees and this community.

#34 Anonymous on 10/23/10 at 08:46 AM

Wish they had shared that info with me. I lost a tidy little bundle yesterday!

#35 H B on 10/23/10 at 09:28 AM

This is a sad day for Barnesville. Simply because one bank again means the way it was economically here, until United Bank was formed, I hope competition will come to make the financial environment more competitive.
Additionally, after the dust settles, I wonder if the Federal Reserve will do an audit and place the responsibility for this failure on the those who played a major role in causing it.

#36 Anonymous on 10/23/10 at 09:38 AM

Don't think they did this just to save jobs. They will make lots of money on these assets.

#37 Anonymous on 10/23/10 at 09:39 AM

Enron is not a good comparison. I'm not even sure FNB was a publicly traded company, and if they were I doubt there would have been much float or liquidity to support a large sale of shares. If they were a private company, it would be even harder to "dump" their shares since there is no ready market to trade the shares on.

#38 katie on 10/23/10 at 10:26 AM

I lost a small inheritance since the shares I received from my parents are now worthless. I doubt there was much "dumping" by those in the know because, as far as I have been able to determine, there hasn't been much of a market for the FNB stock in several years. Since it was not a publically traded company like Enron, the only way to sell the stock was to find someone willing to buy it. And no one really wanted it or I would have sold mine before now.
I do feel sorry for the employees whose long term employment has to be questionable. United Bank is well run and there would be no logical reason for them to continue to operate the FNB locations as branches so close to their existing facilities once the transition phase is completed. As far as protecting those large deposits, be glad we're not losing our tax monies that were probably deposited there by the county and school system.

#39 Anonymous on 10/23/10 at 10:28 AM

I dont' understand why comments here are stating that UB saved FNB jobs? When the other article states that the FNB employees will have an 'opportunity' to APPLY with UB. That doesn't mean they will automatically have jobs there.

#40 Jomama on 10/23/10 at 10:35 AM

Oh, so you don't think the fact that bedwetters felt that everyone needs to own a home,so they created laws to make it "too" easy for delinquents to get homes loans, had anything to do with it do you. Lifes not fair, if you can't afford something, get off the couch or street corner and put down the schlitz and earn it. The majority of this problem results from the democrat created mortgage crisis.

#41 Anonymous on 10/23/10 at 10:42 AM

Say, is that compost operation still smelling as bad as before?

Better wake up Barnesville, this isn't over by a long shot. Aldora is next.

#42 UGA on 10/23/10 at 12:06 PM

Before you make such serious accusations of the FNB employees, board, and owners you should research how FDIC takeovers work. The FDIC will put a troubled bank into a silent auction only contacting other banks they believe would be interested. Those banks have less than a week to make the decision and that Friday the bank closes. It is unknown to everyone except a few members of the banks who are invited to bid, and they are bound by law to keep it confidential even if they do not make an offer.

#43 Ron on 10/23/10 at 12:25 PM

wow...you say to get rid of Obama and the dems and everything will be okay?
And call another an idiot?
Oh my...ignorance truly is bliss apparently

#44 Have some empathy on 10/23/10 at 02:42 PM

Please stop the bickering on this story people. We are human beings who have just had a very difficult situation hit us smack in our faces. Chances are some of us are your neighbors & friends. We don't want your pity, but please understand that we as former FNBB employees haven't done anything wrong, we simply went to work and did our jobs to the best of our abilities. What if YOU were any of us...would your sentiments be the same. Kudos to United Bank for stepping in and at the very least giving us an opportunity for employment. They did NOT have to do that. However, none of us know what their future plans are or how many they will employ. Just keep the stones in your pockets please, or find a pond to skip them in. Thanks to all of you who have posted kind comments. Thanks to all of the customers for your patience, concern & understanding; you will never be forgotten. God bless & keep you.

#45 Ron on 10/23/10 at 03:24 PM

Oh Lordy...get your head out of the clouds. Just another example of someone so asleep and hypnotized by what you hear on radio, see on tv, has you blind.
No, just because I disagree with the Neo-Con, so called "conservatives" such as Hannity, O'Reilly, Beck, does not make me a bedwetting Dem.
A true conservative will investigate and realize that both parties play for the same globalist team.
A perfect example is Newt Gingrich. Mr. conservative supported GAT, Nafta, the bailouts and believes in VAT and carbon taxes. Yet, he makes appearance after appearance on FOX, telling the hypnotized how conservative he is. Wake up.

#46 Anonymous on 10/23/10 at 07:33 PM

Hell yes; that mess is still smelling and have been calling the County about it- I wil be in court on 11-10 to see what. They probably will get off. Made a call to one of the owners, Mrs. Lesko and she tried to make it seem like a sweet smell. I told her, you must be crazy, that smell stinks and would you want that mess in your backyard. I took a ride out there to see where it was located at. I barely can stand it, but I don't see how people who work in that area deal with it all day. LAMAR COUNTY GET OFF YOUR ASS AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT GREENCO!!!!!!! IT NEEDS TO GO

#47 Lady Banker on 10/23/10 at 09:32 PM

To " Have Some Empathy".... Bless your heart and the hearts of all the FNBB employees! I agree with your post 100%. Unless you have been in someones shoes, you have no idea what they are going through. And to those of you posters who have never worked in a bank, you have no idea of the day to day operations of a community bank. I have worked in a community bank in the loan department for almost 30 years now, just not in Lamar County. The FDIC could come close us down if things don't begin to turn around. The commercial & construction loans we originated were not bad loans until the economy went sour and the builders were left holding houses and building lots they could not sell. When their money runs out, then the bank has to take the collateral back. This eventually eats away the bank's capital if there is no revenue coming in! No different than an individual paying their bills...if you don't have money coming in, you will eventually run out! I was always taught that "if you can't say something nice, then don't say anything at all!" May God bless all of you FNBB employees! :)

#48 Anonymous on 10/23/10 at 10:27 PM

Amen to you. My heart goes out to all of the employees - I hope that you all will be able to find employment either with United Bank or elsewhere.

It is past time for the people of this community to stop being hateful and divided and understand that by lifting everyone up we all benefit.

#49 Anonymous on 10/24/10 at 09:38 AM

"Hell yes; that mess is still smelling and have been calling the County about it- I wil be in court on 11-10 to see what."

Good to know. Also good to know that you have time to take away from your work to attend court on this matter.

Are you employed in Lamar County? Are you currently employed at all? Retired?

Perhaps living near an industrial park wasn't the smartest thing you have ever done. Do you complain much about the burning bark smell from the Jordan facility?

Lamar county needs JOBS. Now, with the demise of FNB, even more people are, or will very soon be unemployed.

A small number of people stupid enough to continue live near an industrial park cannot be allowed to impede progress. The rock quarry idiots were bad enough, but the location of the compost facility was designated for industrial operations by county leadership.

Surrounding countries and cities have seen what is taking place and are making policy reflecting the new reality facing us all. Unless and until Barnesville/Lamar does the same, and soon, this area will be bypassed and left behind.

#50 MR.howard on 10/24/10 at 11:42 AM

if you are scared to use your name shut up.. composting is good for the planet are you one of those who takes and doesn't give any back types "man up or shut up"

#51 nO MorE TeLEmaRkEtinG! on 10/24/10 at 01:52 PM

pLeaSE qUit TelEMarketING bARneSvIlLe MCBrOom At aLlSTatE, bEcAUse Its VerY vEry arRoganT anD DiSreSPEctFuL!

#52 Lady Banker on 10/24/10 at 07:07 PM

Amen Mr. Howard! I recycle everything at my house I can & even bring the coke cans & water bottles home from my office to recycle. Can't wait to see the day that we will be living on top of garbage because we have no more room to dump it! People get off of your duff and RECYCLE everything you can to save this planet!

#53 Anonymous on 10/24/10 at 07:14 PM

Why did you buy property near the landfill? Didn't you realize there would be stink in that area? Seriously, I hope the judge grows some nu+$ and tells you what a dumba$$ you are.

#54 Anonymous on 10/24/10 at 07:23 PM

I am/was a FNB customer and they turned me down recently on a car loan. Steady employment, high credit rating, and enough funds in the bank to actually cover the loan. LOL No wonder they went out of business. I hope most of the people there will keep their jobs, but there are a few that need to hit the road.

#55 solo on 10/24/10 at 07:56 PM

"Perhaps living near an industrial park is not the smartest thing you have ever done." I don't know whether to call that statement ignorance or arrogance. Maybe this person's home was there before the industrail park arrived. The Atlantic Power plant will be very near and upwind of many long time residents. Let's hope they don't toss off foul odors or toxins.

#56 GW on 10/25/10 at 08:19 PM

Solo, thanks, for putting that in proper perspective!

#57 Steven P. Epp on 10/27/10 at 09:40 PM

You must be a demoncrat, that are commies trying to destroy this once great nation, until the commies, ACLU,Obamao,etc. who have been taking away our rights that at least four known ancestors of mine who fought in the Rev. War to give us against the so-called greatest army at that time, the British Army, but my ancestors along with the other great patriots of many Americans defeated thank God, and I pray everyone with a God-fearing mind with vote all these demoncrats and all others out of office Nov. 2, 2010. This is not about black or white,etc. but about are you a true God-fearing brother like the founders, Christians were who founded this great nation who have helped all the heathen nations in their times of trouble all these years, even though some of them are truly I greatest enemies in these "Last Days" as the Holy Bible says. I served in Vietnam in 1970 to fight commies and now we have them in the WH, and I don't give a darn what color any of them are, but they are commies, and the sworn enemies of the USA and Freedom, so if you people who like to have others work hard for you so you can sit on your a--, keep it up, and you will be in the camps with the rest of the others that will not fight like our Rev. War ancestors did for Freedom, but I have no fear, thankyou JESUS CHRIST, The Way, The Truth, and The Life, and no one comes to the FATHER, except by HIM, JESUS! No heathen will ever cut my head off with a rusty knife, cause I believe and I was well trained, Semper Fi, till I Die, USMC, and may God Always Bless America, and restore this nation unto the ONE TRUE GOD, Amen and Amen.

#58 Steven P. Epp on 10/27/10 at 10:08 PM

#59 Luther Benny Barnes on 10/29/10 at 01:33 PM

Walter, as far as stock can you give an estimate of how much people actually lost?

#60 Tina on 10/30/10 at 10:18 AM

Responding to the statement that Lamar County needs jobs....Yes they do. I have lived in this county for the majority of my life and have very little if any growth....It seems like this county wants to "stay in the past". We finally got a Walgreens and a Wendys in the area but what are our county leaders doing to draw the interest of more businesses to come in and settle here??? Can anyone address that issue?

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