A group of Jacksonville investors led by former EverBank executive Scott Verlander has acquired control of a South Georgia Bank.
Southern Bankshares Inc., holding company for The Claxton Bank, said the group acquired a controlling position in the company.
Verlander, who had been senior vice president of retail and affiliate banking at Jacksonville-based EverBank, is now president and CEO of The Claxton Bank and the holding company.
Verlander said in a Nov. 9 interview he is one of the investors but could not give more details on the group.
“It’s a collection of both local investors and investors from outside of the area,” he said.
The bank’s board of directors includes former EverBank CEO Rob Clements.
The bank, founded in 1941, has two offices besides its main office in Claxton. It had $133 million in deposits at midyear 2023, according to Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. data.
Verlander said The Claxton Bank will look to expand into Jacksonville at some point.
“Our plans include an anticipated growth capital raise in the first quarter of 2024,” he said.