The company planning to be the Augusta area 's newest bank on Tuesday announced the hiring of two new executives, including its Augusta market president.

Savannah River Financial Corp. said it has named former Wachovia executive David J. Hogg as senior vice president and Augusta market president. He will be responsible for the leadership and management of the Georgia portion of the bank's Augusta-Aiken market, including Richmond and Columbia counties.

"His long-standing experience in banking makes him an excellent choice to lead our Augusta team," Savannah River Financial President Jeff Spears said.

Mr. Hogg has more than 40 years of banking experience, beginning his career at Georgia Railroad Bank & Trust and later working for First Union, Bankers First and SouthTrust. He was most recently Wachovia's senior vice president and relationship manager in Augusta.

Savannah River Financial, which is planning to launch its Savannah River Banking Co. this summer in Augusta and Aiken, also announced the hiring of United Way of the CSRA executive Susan K. Bly as chief information officer.

"Her strong operations and technology experience make her a key associate," Mr. Spears said.

Ms. Bly will be responsible for all aspects of deposit operations and information technology for the proposed bank. The United Way account executive has held key operational positions at regional and community banks, including Georgia Bank & Trust, during the past 20 years.

Last month the start-up bank announced it named Aiken bankers Joe Lewis and Gerry Owen as Aiken market president and chief financial officer, respectively.

Savannah River Financial has raised more than $30 million this year through a private placement sale of stock. The bank's financial backers include business leaders from all regions of the two-state market, including Augusta businessman Paul S. Simon and Aiken developer Weldon Wyatt.

Company leaders say they expect the company's bank charter to be approved by the federal Office of Thrift Supervision this spring. The first branches are expected to open in late summer.