First Laurens Bank

First Laurens Bank began as Dexter Banking Company. Dexter was Laurens County’s most prosperous town during the railroad boom. The Dexter Banking Company was granted a charter on January 18, 1904. Among its early officers were Dr. J. E. New, the first president, H.F. Maund, the first cashier, and W. B. Taylor. The bank voluntarily liquidated itself at the end of the depth of the depression.

A new charter was purchased by W. B. Taylor, Loomis Taylor, U. G. B. (Boney) Hogan and D. W. Knight, Sr.. In 1933 the new private bank became the Taylor-Knight-Hogan Banking Company and later the Taylor-Knight Banking Company. Nearly two decades later the bank again changed its name to reflect the new owners, the Knight-Hogan Banking Company. Following Mr. Hogan’s death, the bank was changed to Knight Banking Company. In 1967 stockholders received a state charter and changed the name to Knight State Bank. In 1974 Knight State Bank moved into a new building on the corner of Main Street and Omega Street, located across the street from their original home. In 1990 Knight State Bank was purchased by Wrightsville Bancshares, the owners of the Bank of Wrightsville. A branch office was opened at 201 N Jefferson Street in Dublin. The location is in the heart of downtown in a building originally occupied by First Federal Savings and Loans.

Knight State Bank’s branches were purchased in February, 2001 by State Bank of Cochran and the name was changed to First Laurens Bank, a division of State Bank of Cochran. In 2003, a new office was built in Dublin at 2040 Veterans Boulevard. This new location features many modern banking conveniences and provides easier access for our customers.

Over the years the primary officers of the bank have included: W. B. Taylor, U. G. B. Hogan, D. W. Knight, Sr., D. W. (Bill) Knight, Jr., M. E. Knight, H. L. Stripling, Cecil Passmore, Jr., John Knight, Steven Griner, Allen Lancaster, and Ben Bradshaw.