SunMark Bank Comes To Wheeler County
SunMark Community Bank is proud to begin a new chapter of service in Wheeler County with the merger of Atlantic South Bank and Wheeler County State Bank on January 1, 2026. At ribbon cutting ceremonies marking the transition from Wheeler County State Bank to Sun-Mark Bank held Wednesday, February 25, SunMark President Brad Collins noted, 'This exciting milestone allows SunMark to extend its commitment to community banking into Laurens County, Emanuel County, and Wheeler County. We are excited to be part of the Wheeler County community, and we are eager to serve the banking needs of the area.' Collins added, 'For more than 75 years, SunMark Community Bank has remained dedicated to one simple principle, caring for the communities they serve. As we welcome Alamo and the other new markets into the SunMark family, we look forward to building lasting relationships, supporting local growth, and continuing our tradition of excellent banking service.'
In 1949, R.D. Buchan, a local businessman and farmer, recognized a need for a bank that truly understood and supported the people it served. Dissatisfied with the only bank in town, he founded The Pulaski Banking Company in Hawkinsville, Georgia, with a vision centered on serving local businesses, farmers, and families. Two decades later, the bank reinforced its commitment to the community by adopting the name SunMark Community Bank.
Now headquartered in Perry, Georgia, the growth of SunMark bank has continued through the years to include offices in Warner Robins and additional branches in Bonaire, Fort Valley, Perry, and Byron. SunMark has a mortgage department and loan production office in Eatonton. Today, with their most recent addition of Alamo, Dublin and Swainsboro, SunMark operates 10 branch locations.
The Alamo branch, formerly the Wheeler County State Bank, is located at 49 West Main Street. The local staff remain at this location and are ready to serve customers with the same friendly, professional banking services the people of Wheeler County have come to appreciate.
STUDENTS OF THE MONTH — Sally D. Meadows Elementary School has announced Students of the Month for February. These students showed pride at Sally Meadows and model how to Walk the Brave Way. These students do a great job of representing the PBIS motto and schoolwide expectations: Be Respectful and Value Everyone. (L to R): Back Row: Quinton Dasher, Jordan Jackson, Catie Ramsey, Blaze Boston, Treasure Carter, Corey McLin, Lee’Ya Mackey, Logan Stephens, Haven Johnson, Omni Ferguson, Natilyn Powell; Middle Row: Majesty Harris, Courtney Kennedy, Devayah Bluitt, Dilan Patel, Sophia Lopez, Hilton Kight, Cameron Grillon, Idalia Herrera, Elissa Barrios Mendez, Tayden Ellis; Front Row: Reija Hemming, Aria Garcia, Madelyn Rushmore, Melanie Mendez, Krimson Cady, Kiersten Williams, and Aviyah Holland. Not Pictured: Curtis Bias, Payton Simmons, Emmy Braddy, and Jessa Crump.
