DONE DEAL-Pictured at the official merger of Citizens Bank and Liberty State Bank are Citizens Bank CEO Pete Williston, Liberty State Bank President Roy Pugh, and Citizens Bank President Joe Carter. (photo submitted)

LAFAYETTE-Bank of Celina parent company Citizens Bank of Lafayette announced Monday the completion of its merger with Liberty State Bank, effective with the close of business on December 13, 2013. Citizens Bank and Liberty State Bank customers now have use of all of the company’s 15 branch offices located in Macon, Wilson, DeKalb, Sumner, Smith, Jackson, and Clay Counties. In addition to the brick-and-mortar offices, customers now have access to 13 ATM locations throughout Middle Tennessee, along with the use of over 23,000 surcharge-free ATMs all over the country through the Money Pass network.

“For over 100 years, both Citizens Bank of Lafayette and Liberty State Bank have consistently served our communities for their financial needs,” said Pete Williston, CEO of Citizens Bank of Lafayette. “This merger creates a great financial partner for our communities with significant potential for even more convenience and borrowing power for our customers.”

Roy Pugh, President of Liberty State Bank added, “We are excited to bring together two banks with similar history and philosophy that will greatly benefit our customers, shareholders, and employees.”

Citizens Bank President Joe Carter said, “Citizens Bank and Liberty State Bank customers should continue banking as they do today — using the same bank accounts, payment coupons, online sign-on, ATM cards and debit cards, checks and banking locations. Customers also have new conveniences such as our Mobile App available from anywhere in the world. We’re committed to our customers and are intent on differentiating us in a dynamic and highly competitive banking industry.”

Citizens Bank of Lafayette is a state-chartered banking corporation with approximately $645 million in assets headquartered in Lafayette, Tennessee.  It operates 15 banking locations, as Citizens Bank in the communities of Lafayette, Westmoreland, Red Boiling Springs, Hermitage Springs, and Gainesboro, Tennessee; as Bank of Celina in Celina, Tennessee; as Smith County Bank in Carthage, Tennessee, and as Liberty State Bank in Smithville, Liberty, Alexandria and Lebanon, Tennessee.  Citizens Bank of Lafayette is owned by Citizens Bancorp Investment, Inc., a bank holding company headquartered in Lafayette, Tennessee.