Seven local businessmen have announced plans to establish a new bank in Hall County next year. The proposed name is Private Bank & Trust.
The group has filed an application for a state charter with the Georgia Department of Banking Finance as well as applied for deposit insurance with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). Additionally, the group plans to file a bank holding application with the Federal Reserve Bank.
The organizing group’s members, who all have prior banking, financial services or bank board experience, include:
Brian Daniel, proposed Chairman
Greg Barrett, proposed President and CEO
William Bagwell, Jr.
Ashton M. Lewis
Brian Rochester
Wendell Starke
Robert “Bo❞ Weber
Barrett said the group anticipates regulatory approval in the first quarter of 2026 and plans a stock offering to close concurrently with regulatory approval. The proposed new bank, to be located in Gainesville at 424 Green St. NE, is likely to open in the third quarter of 2026.
Only five banks have been chartered in Georgia since 2008.