Welcome Home to the History of Citizens Bank
The roots of Citizens Bank can be traced back to its origins in 1913, when Henry and Sallie Rankin acted on their belief that the Columbia area needed a bank that could be responsive to the financial needs of individuals and businesses in Marion County. Because of their vision, twenty-four original shareholders raised $35,000 in capital to form the Bank and in April of 1913, Citizens Bank opened for business. In the early years, customers were permitted to make deposits and cash checks at a local mercantile known as The Rankin Company, located in Columbia.
The Bank grew and prospered through the generations. In the 1960's, then-president Harry Rankin, being an innovator, directed the Bank's movement towards computer systems. Under his leadership, Citizens Bank became one of the more technologically-advanced institutions in the region.
By 1979, it became apparent the Bank needed to add a local branch to service its ever-mobile customers. The first branch was constructed in Columbia at the corner of Highway 98 and Park Avenue, which is now known as Eagle Day Drive. By 1996, growth of the branch led to the construction of a larger facility on property which joined the original branch. Today, the original branch location is home to the Mortgage Loan Center, which opened in June 2000.
In September 1999, Citizens Bank and Tylertown-based Walthall Citizens Bank merged, under the umbrella of the Bank's holding company, Citizens Corporation. Walthall Citizens Bank had been founded in 1973 by a group of area business leaders who shared a vision of establishing a bank with local focus and ties. Walthall Citizens Bank opened for business in August 1974. In 1995, Walthall Citizens Bank opened a branch in Magnolia, as Pike County appeared to be a logical area for expansion. Following the merger, Walthall Citizens Bank began operating under the Citizens Bank name. This was just the beginning of great things to come for the Bank as it continued to grow and expand into other communities throughout South Mississippi.
In 2001, the Bank opened a branch location in Sumrall, which was the beginning of the Bank's footprint in the Lamar County market and is conveniently located to serve local residents and the surrounding areas.
In the spring of 2004, a branch location was opened in Seminary. Located on West Main Street, the Seminary Branch provides convenient and easy access to our customers.
The Bank continued to experience growth in the Lamar County market and in November 2008 the Bellevue Branch opened. Located conveniently on U. S. Highway 98 in one of Hattiesburg's newest shopping plazas, The Market at Bellevue, the Bellevue Branch is convenient to area residents and businesses.
Our newest location opened in April 2016 in Laurel. Located just off of 16th Avenue, customers enjoy convenience and easy access to their banking needs.
Our staff represents many years of banking experience, and includes graduates of the most prestigious banking schools in the nation. We firmly believe in the value of continuing professional education, because banking is an ever-changing complex and wide-ranging industry.
Offering a complete array of accounts, financial services and loans, Citizens Bank provides responsive solutions throughout south Mississippi. We maintain our dedication to delivering each solution with the best in personal banking service and believe our founders would be proud to know we have never wavered from the mission they established long ago.
In continuing the trend set forth by Harry Rankin, Citizens Bank embraces technology as a means of providing secure and convenient banking products and services. This benchmark mission remains at the forefront today and guides us as we work to continually provide innovative products and services for our customers.
We are proud of our beginning and look forward to a bright future for Citizens Bank. Thank you for taking a moment to reach back in time for a few moments to get to know us a little better. And, if you are looking for a bank, we would like to be your bank. Great stories begin here!