Peach Buzz Spring 2025

We are nearing completion on Peach State Braselton, our new 10,000-square-foot bank, with an opening date in the spring.

Peach State Braselton has served the community for three years from a leased building just off Hwy. 211, and now occupies a temporary building on our new site.

“We are excited that our permanent location in Braselton is strategically situated near the Braselton hospital and many medical offices and residential communities,” said Peach State Bank Chairman of the Board Stewart Teaver. “We are fully committed to providing our renowned hometown spirit and exceptional personalized community banking to the residents of Braselton and the surrounding neighborhoods, including Chateau Elan, Deaton Creek, and Reunion.”

We understand how important convenient banking is for our community. That’s why we’re thrilled that our new Braselton bank will be located on Friendship Road, situated between Thompson Mill Road and Deaton Creek Parkway.

Our new bank building is located in a vibrant area filled with medical, business, and residential communities near a proposed “Avalon-style” mixed-use development that promises to be a central hub for shopping and gathering in the region. We know it’s vital for customers to have easy access to our services, and we’re looking forward to continuing to be a part of this lively community.

At Peach State Bank, we know how busy your schedule is, and we want to make sure a visit to our Braselton Bank is fast and efficient. That’s why we’re excited to offer our innovative “universal banking” concept. In our modern open lobby, we have eliminated the traditional teller windows and long wait times, ensuring a more inviting atmosphere for everyone.

As customers enter the bank, they are immediately greeted by friendly staff who have been cross-trained to handle multiple services—from depositing a check or assisting with online banking to opening a new account. This approach makes for faster, more efficient trips to the bank.

Although we’ve only had a bank in Braselton for three years, we genuinely understand and appreciate the community. Our team members are not only well respected but also deeply connected to both Braselton and the surrounding areas, having lived and worked here for many years. We value these relationships and are committed to serving this wonderful community.

“We truly value the strong relationships we’ve built with our customers in the community,” said Ron Quinn, President and CEO of Peach State Bank. “Our commitment to Braselton runs deep, and we’re excited to have a permanent home where we can continue to serve you and grow together.”

Our dedicated team is here to support you, ensuring that you feel welcomed and valued every time you visit us. Your satisfaction is our priority, and we look forward to serving you in a way that makes banking a more pleasant experience for all.

In recent months leading into a new year, we’ve faced a lot of uncertainty – and I’m not talking about the college football playoffs. Unfortunately for Dawg fans like me, that matter was settled many days ago with our loss to Notre Dame.

I’m referring to a choppy economy that has been in limbo awaiting results from the U.S. presidential and congressional elections in November. Locally and across the country, a lot of business and household decisions have been on hold while we’ve listened to political rhetoric and pondered a guessing game around tax cuts and interest rates.

Now into the first quarter of 2025, the waters are still murky, but visibility is improving along with an uptick in business investment and consumer optimism – as evidenced here in Northeast Georgia by more vigorous lending activity and a stock market trending higher.

We now know our next president, Donald Trump, and parts of his proposed agenda. With the swearing-in of the 119th Congress, we also know Trump will have Republican control of both the House and Senate. No matter what side you fall on, knowing is better than not knowing.

Here’s more of what we know – and the likely impacts on our Northeast Georgia economy:

Deregulation. The incoming president has loudly communicated his intentions to reduce regulations in financial markets, healthcare, and energy. Depending on how much the reins are loosened, these moves should support economic growth, boost energy production, and spur more investments, mergers, and acquisitions. The overall aim is to lower prices. For example, an increase in U.S. oil production should eventually lead to cheaper gas at our local pumps.

Tax cuts. With the backing of Congress, Trump wants to extend the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (set to expire at the end of 2025) that was put in place during his first term. While this extension simply keeps taxes at the same level, Republicans are signaling interest in more tax credits and deductions. The incoming president also is pushing for a further slash in the corporate tax rate to 15 percent; however, that appears unlikely in the face of public pressure over the federal government’s record level of interest payments on our $36 trillion national debt.

Tougher Immigration Policy. Trump campaigned on the promise of using his executive powers to crack down on illegal immigration and limit legal immigration. Locally, this action could impact our poultry and manufacturing base with shortages in labor that lead to higher wages and eventually, higher prices.

I expect to see the new administration move quickly on these first three priorities in Q1 at the same time as President Trump is pushing Congress to approve his cabinet, sub-cabinet, and agency appointments.

Tariffs. Of all his campaign promises, Trump has spoken loudest about trade tariffs – or at least it’s made the most noise in the media. Coming back to what we do know, it is readily apparent that Trump will impose additional trade protective measures in the second quarter of this year against China and Mexico, and he does not need congressional approval to make it happen.

In the short term, tariffs will push higher inflation and likely slow down the Federal Reserve’s schedule of lowering interest rates. At the same time, however, tariffs and increased U.S. energy production should help to balance out these inflationary pressures by strengthening the dollar and thus lowering prices on imports.

Here in Northeast Georgia, all indicators remain strong, particularly with the tailwinds of a stronger national economy and a Congress poised to loosen up the logjam of recent years with its tilt toward more Republican control. We also reside in a state recognized as the No. 1 business climate in America.

From Fox Factory and Kubota to our independent healthcare system, industry is moving here and growing. With the local Chamber’s passing of the torch to Tim Evans, its new president and a proven leader in economic development, expect that momentum to continue. The opening of the Northeast Georgia Inland Port in 2026 will further boost our economy.

Our housing market is very strong, though higher values make it difficult for first-time homebuyers. At the same time, we’ve made progress locally in creating more affordable housing opportunities to sustain our growing labor market.

All in all, the greatest certainty – coming out of a season of uncertainty – is our enviable economy in Northeast Georgia. Of that, there certainly is no doubt.

Peach State Bank is thrilled to partner with WDUN and Collette to bring you “Our Trips”—a series of unforgettable travel experiences!

WDUN, in collaboration with Collette, a leading guided tour company, offers carefully curated journeys to some of the world’s most captivating destinations. As a proud host and sponsor, Peach State Bank hosts informational meetings at the bank where guests not only learn about these incredible adventures but also enjoy a complimentary lunch as they plan their next great getaway.

Coming up next is the British Landscapes tour, a journey through the iconic sights of England, Scotland, and Wales. Scheduled from April 29 to May 8, this adventure features highlights like Edinburgh Castle, York, Chester, Caernarfon Castle, a scenic walk in Caernarfon, Stratford-upon-Avon, Oxford, the Ashmolean Museum, and an Oxford walking tour.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to explore the world with ease and comfort! For more details, visit http://www.wdun.com/our-trips/.

Newsweek named Peach State Bank & Trust one of America’s Best Regional Banks for 2025.

Peach State Bank was one of only 10 banks in Georgia to be recognized.

“We are grateful for this national recognition of our dedication to our customers and the community in our business practices,” said President and CEO Ron Quinn. “As a locally owned community bank, we recognize the distinct needs of our customers and their desire for personalized financial services.”

Newsweek magazine, in collaboration with the market research firm Plant-A Insights, conducted an independent study that analyzed over 9,440 institutions across the country, along with more than 35,000 customer interviews.

The study identified the top 500 regional banking institutions in the United States. To earn a top designation, banks and credit unions had to meet specific criteria related to stability, profitability, risk exposure during uncertain times, and the overall health of the institution.