MOULTRIE, Ga., Sept. 30, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Southwest Georgia Financial Corporation (NYSE MKT:SGB), a full-service community bank holding company, announced that it has been admitted to the Sandler O'Neill's Class of 2013 "Sm-All Stars," a select group of 31 top performing publicly-traded banks and thrifts from throughout the U.S. with market capitalization below $2.5 billion.
Southwest Georgia Financial was identified by Sandler O'Neill & Partners LP, a full service investment banking firm and broker-dealer focused on the financial services sector, as one of 31 from a group of 450 financial institutions nationwide as having achieved exceptional performance in the areas of growth, profitability, credit quality and capital strength over the past 12 months. The final 31 "Sm-All Stars" showed exceptional performance when compared with the industry as a whole. Southwest Georgia Financial was the only bank selected from Georgia.
"This recognition reflects our commitment to our customers and our efforts to deliver long-term value to our shareholders," stated DeWitt Drew, President and CEO of Southwest Georgia Financial. "We believe our inclusion on the list is a result of our commitment to growth, while balancing earnings performance with exceptional asset quality."
About Southwest Georgia Financial Corporation
Southwest Georgia Financial Corporation is a state-chartered bank holding company with approximately $351 million in assets headquartered in Moultrie, Georgia. Its primary subsidiary, Southwest Georgia Bank, offers comprehensive financial services to consumer, business, and governmental customers. The current banking facilities include the main office located in Colquitt County, and branch offices located in Baker County, Thomas County, Worth County and Lowndes County. In addition to conventional banking services, the bank provides investment planning and management, trust management, mortgage banking, and commercial and individual insurance products. Insurance products and advice are provided by Southwest Georgia Insurance Services, which is located in Colquitt County. Mortgage banking for primarily commercial properties is provided by Empire Financial Services, Inc., a mortgage banking services firm.
More information on Southwest Georgia Financial Corp. and Southwest Georgia Bank can be found at its website: www.sgfc.com .
SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT
This news release contains forward-looking statements, as defined by federal securities laws, including statements about the Company's financial outlook. These statements are based on current expectations and are provided to assist in the understanding of future financial performance. Such performance involves risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any such statements. For a discussion of some risks and other factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from such statements, please refer to the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q under the sections entitled "Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors". The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.
INVESTOR AND MEDIA CONTACT: George R. Kirkland Senior Vice President and Treasurer Phone: (229) 873-3830
