Permanent building is completed

The area's youngest homegrown bank is now based in its permanent headquarters.

The mobile office for Savannah River Banking Co. has been hauled away. Though the bank won't officially announce its opening to the public until next week, staff members are already working out of the 18,000-square-foot building at 3638 Walton Way Extension.

The bank opened in August 2007 with a branch at 407 Silver Bluff Road in Aiken and the temporary building on Augusta's west side.

Jeff Spears, the bank president, said the new three-story building will have a positive effect on customers.

"To deposit your hard-earned money into a temporary unit, I think it lacks a little bit of confidence," he said. "Our new building displays confidence, a strong foundation."

The third floor will remain empty until the growth of the bank dictates occupancy, Mr. Spears said.

Construction started in January 2008.

"There are three businesses that demand a strong building, a strong presence, and that's a newspaper, government and a bank," said Paul Simon, the bank's board chairman.

According to data provided to the FDIC, the bank had $70.9 million in deposits by the end of 2008. It had $27.4 million in deposits at the end of 2007.

Reach Tim Rausch at (706) 823-3352 or timothy.rausch@augustachronicle.com.