First Community Bank will expand its presence with the opening of a downtown Augusta banking office in early spring of 2018 at 771 Broad Street. The 3,100 square foot office at the intersection of Broad and 8th Streets will give the bank a full service banking office located in the heart of the city.  “We see tremendous opportunity in the fast-growing downtown area,” said Market President Jordan Pierce. “We hope this location will be a center of commerce and community, providing the financial solutions that Augusta businesses are looking for today.”

James Heffner has been hired to lead the new office in his role as a commercial banker. While James began his corporate career in New York City with the investment portfolio group at Chase Manhattan Bank, he is also an entrepreneur, starting a direct sales company. He has lived in Augusta since 2005, and most recently, he worked in the banking industry in Augusta where he developed relationships with key customers. James is active in the community as a board member for several local nonprofit organizations including the Greater Augusta Arts Council and Leadership Augusta.

In addition to its downtown office, First Community Bank operates an office on Walton Way in Augusta and has purchased property in Evans, Georgia with plans to further expand its footprint in the region. First Community entered the market in 2014 through the acquisition of Savannah River Banking Company. Since that time, the bank has grown its team and established an Augusta Advisory Board made up of more than a dozen local leaders who work to strengthen the bank’s community presence and outreach to area businesses.