Fed Bars Bank-Thrift Merger, Citing Concentration in a Rural Ga. Locale

The Federal Reserve rejected the merger of a bank and thrift in Georgia, concluding the combination would lead to too much concentration in a rural market served by both institutions.

First State Bancshares of Blakely may not acquire First Southwest Bancorp and its thrift subsidiary, First Federal Savings Bank of Southwest Georgia, according to the Fed's order, dated Monday.

Together, the institutions would have been the state's 62d-largest bank, controlling $139.4 million of deposits, or less than 1% of the state's total.

In 16 pages, the Fed said that, after an "on-site investigation" and a telephone survey of Early County, Ga., residents, it had concluded the merger would have "significant adverse effects" on the small town's banking market, which is served by a third bank and a credit union.

The combined bank would have controlled 66% of deposits locally, the Fed said.

In denying the merger application, the Fed also rejected First State's broader definition of its market and claims that the town cannot support three banks.

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