CoastalSouth Bancshares, Inc. Closes Merger with First Citizens Financial Corporation

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Jul 17, 2018, 16:30 ET

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. and DAWSONVILLE, Ga., July 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- CoastalSouth Bancshares, Inc. ("CoastalSouth"), the parent company of CoastalStates Bank ("CSB"), announced the closing of its merger with First Citizens Financial Corporation ("FCFC"), the parent company of Foothills Community Bank ("Foothills"). Along with the merger of FCFC with and into CoastalSouth, Foothills merged with and into CSB.

(PRNewsfoto/First Citizens Financial Corp.)

"With the merger of Foothills and CSB, we've created a partnership that will strengthen our commitment to delivering a local community bank experience to communities throughout Georgia and South Carolina," said Steve Stone, Chief Executive Officer of CoastalSouth and CSB. "Due to the support of the FCFC shareholders and the partnership that has already been established between the CSB and Foothills teams, we were able to consummate this transaction in less than three months. I couldn't be prouder of everyone involved."

Foothills Community Bank will retain its name following the merger and operate as a division of CoastalStates Bank. John L. Lewis, the former CEO of FCFC and Foothills, will join CSB's executive leadership team and will continue to work closely with Steven F. Smith, CSB's new North Georgia Region President. Lewis noted: "I am pleased with the completion of this important milestone and the immense opportunity this partnership has afforded our shareholders, customers and banking team. As a division of CoastalStates Bank, we will continue to grow a strong and healthy bank."

Stone added, "Both the CSB and Foothills teams are working hard to insure an exceptional customer experience leading up to and following our systems integration. I have no doubt John, Steven and the entire Foothills team are poised to deliver on our 'Local' promise to the Dawsonville and Cumming communities."

Sandler O'Neill & Partners, L.P. acted as the financial adviser to FCFC, and Troutman Sanders LLP acted as its legal counsel. CoastalSouth was represented by the law firm of Alston & Bird LLP.

About CoastalSouth Bancshares, Inc.

Established in 2003, CoastalSouth Bancshares, Inc. (OTCQX: COSO), a Virginia corporation, is headquartered in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. CoastalSouth, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, CoastalStates Bank, offers a variety of financial resources to help clients achieve their goals, including commercial, consumer, and mortgage banking products and services. CoastalStates Bank operates through four full service branches in Hilton Head Island and Bluffton, South Carolina; offices in Savannah and Atlanta, Georgia; and now, with the addition of its newest division, Foothills Community Bank, offices in Cumming and Dawsonville, Georgia. The combined company has approximately $575 million in total assets. CoastalStates Bank – Local. And Proud of It.

For additional information regarding CoastalSouth and CoastalStates Bank, please visit www.coastalstatesbank.com.

Contact:
Stephen R. Stone
Chief Executive Officer
CoastalSouth Bancshares, Inc.
(843) 341-9937

SOURCE CoastalSouth Bancshares, Inc.