History & Vision
In the early 1900s, there were banks in all the small towns of Oconee County…Bishop, Bogart, Eastville, Farmington, and Watkinsville.
When the Great Depression hit in 1929, all of the local banks of Oconee County failed leaving the county without a bank for the next 30 years. Farmers and small merchants had to travel to Athens for their banking needs. A group of community leaders recognized the need for a bank in Oconee County and started working on a solution. On February 1, 1960, Oconee State Bank opened its doors for business with only three employees and a small corner office on Main Street in downtown Watkinsville.
Since many people were apprehensive of banks after losing all their finances in the depression, it was important to the founders to emphasize that the bank would be owned by local citizens who purchased original shares of stock, ensuring that it was a “locally-owned bank.” Making it a true community bank.
One of the strengths of the bank, that continues to be true, is its knowledge of its customers and focus on serving and taking care of its employees, customers, and community.
The past, the present, and the future of Oconee State Bank.
Today, Oconee State Bank proudly operates six full-service financial centers across Oconee County, Athens-Clarke County, Gwinnett County, Macon-Bibb County, and Elbert County. Our newest market in Southeast Georgia is opening in Statesboro as a loan production office in the summer of 2025. Our Corporate Headquarters campus, located on Main Street in the heart of Watkinsville, serves as the central hub for bank-wide support teams, including Human Resources and Education, Marketing and Business Development, Retail and Deposit Operations, Digital Solutions, IT, Loan Operations, Compliance, the Remarkable Mortgage division, Credit, Finance, and the Executive Leadership Team.
In June 2021, we dedicated the Wells Family Community Room at the Headquarters in honor of H. Mell Wells, who served as President from 1979 to 1986. Mr. Wells was a visionary leader who championed the importance of investing in employees, embracing innovation, and delivering exceptional service—a legacy his family continues to carry forward within the bank.
As we grow, our commitment to community banking remains unwavering. In April 2025, we expanded into the Tri-Cities region of Tennessee with the launch of Trio South Bank, a division of Oconee State Bank, currently operating as a Loan Production Office in Johnson City. This milestone marks our first footprint outside the state of Georgia and further reflects our dedication to building meaningful relationships in vibrant, growing communities.
Our story is one of vision, service, and purpose. As we look ahead, we remain passionate about delivering unparalleled value, personalized experiences, and a deep sense of responsibility to the communities we are proud to serve.
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To be essential to the lives, businesses, and communities we serve.
Vision
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Create remarkable experiences that significantly mark the lives of others.
Mission
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At Oconee State Bank, we value SUCCESS.
Values
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We value….
Values
Stewardship: The privilege and responsibility of wisely shepherding our resources
Unity: Believing the best in, Expecting the best from, Seeking the best for, and Telling the best about each other
Collaboration: A culture of teamwork
Community: Partnering with our communities through local ownership, involvement and decision-making
Excellence: Exceptional performance with a long-term perspective
Service: Consistently creating remarkable service experiences for our customers
Solutions: Empowering our team members to deliver solutions
