The board of directors of Southeastern Bank Financial Corp., the holding company for Georgia Bank & Trust Company of Augusta and Southern Bank & Trust, today announced that they are issuing a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.13 per share of common stock.

“In a banking market where many other institutions have cut or suspended such payments, it is a testament to the strength and soundness of our organization, our markets and our management,” said R. Daniel Blanton, president and chief executive officer.

The dividend will be paid on Aug. 18 to shareholders of record as of Aug. 5.

Southeastern Bank Financial Corp. is the $1.3 billion-asset bank holding company.

Georgia Bank & Trust and Southern Bank & Trust operate 12 offices in the Augusta-Aiken area, as well as Athens, Ga., and Greenville, S.C. It also has two mortgages offices in Augusta and Savannah.