In Brief: Premier of Ga. Acquiring Bank in Henry County

An Atlanta community bank announced a deal last week that would give it a larger presence in a fast-growing south Atlanta county. Premier Bancshares said it would buy Bank Holding Co., Griffin, for about $32 million in stock. Premier is the holding company of four bank subsidiaries with 29 branches.

Michael E. Ricketson, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Premier, said it was attracted to Bank Holding Co. because of its three locations in Henry County. "Henry is one of the fastest-growing counties in the nation," he observed. Premier has only a mortgage lending operation there.

Bank Holding Co.'s branches would be merged into Premier Bank. Premier previously announced a deal to buy Citizens Gwinnett Bancshares, a deal it expects to close on Dec. 12. After that deal closes, the company will have $750 million of assets.

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