A banking veteran of 40 years, Mr. Stephen W. Whatley recognized and embraced the need for a community bank that understands and values the needs of customers today. With that, he embarked on his mission to assemble a group of organizers that shared the same vision and in turn opened Southern States Bank.

The optimism greatly spread as Mr. Whatley and organizers raised in excess of $31 million in capital and in August 2007 Southern States Bank, The Common Sense Bank, opened offices in Anniston and Opelika simultaneously. Less than a year later, in February 2008, a third location was opened in Birmingham, followed by the acquisition of the Sylacauga office in May 2012.  In January 2015, two new offices were opened, one in Huntsville, AL and the first Georgia location in Columbus. A second office was opened in Columbus shortly thereafter, followed by a new location and office in Carrollton, GA.  In early 2016, a sixth Alabama location was opened in Auburn.  2018 marked our expansion in Georgia with an LPO in Bremen and another full service office in Newnan.  In 2019, we acquired five new full service locations, four in East Alabama in Wedowee, Roanoke, Ranburne and Heflin and one in West Georgia in Dallas.

At Southern States Bank, we believe the most important thing is our relationships with our customers. We are a true community bank that understands the importance and value of providing our customers with the products and services that best meet their banking needs. Staffed with seasoned bankers you know and trust, we are committed to carrying out our mission of providing our customers with the best service they should expect from their bank.

Headquartered in Anniston Alabama, Southern States Bank has 15 additional banking facilities in Alabama and Georgia and an SBA office in Atlanta. With a strong executive management team, in addition to a diverse and involved Board in place, we have also engaged Advisory Board representation in each market to help facilitate local decisions and community involvement.