Mac McKnight named commercial banking president for Citizens First; Lynn Whatley honored as a top financial consultant

Media release: Citizens First Bank recently announced that Mac McKnight, Vice President, has been named Commercial Banking Manager. In his new role, McKnight will have overall responsibility for the bank’s Commercial Banking Division leading the commercial lending team in all business development efforts and sales activities. In addition, he will provide leadership to the bank’s Private Client Services Division.

“Mac’s proven ability as a leader, his expertise, and success in developing new business make him an ideal choice to lead our Commercial Banking Team,” said President and CEO Angie Lewis. “He has earned the respect and trust of his peers and customers, and I am confident Mac will be successful in this new role.”

McKnight began his career in 2003 at Columbus Bank and Trust (also a division of Synovus Bank as is Citizens First) where he served in a number of areas including branch management, commercial real estate underwriting, commercial mortgage origination and commercial banking. In 2010, he joined the Corporate Commercial Real Estate Group with Synovus Financial Corp, and was named Vice President of Commercial Banking in 2012.

McKnight, a Columbus, Ga., native, is a 2003 graduate of the Terry College of Business of the University of Georgia with a bachelor of business administration degree in risk management and insurance. He is currently enrolled at the Graduate School of Banking at LSU. He was one of 10 who received the 2013 Synovus Circle of Excellence in Sales Award in Business Banking, which recognizes team members for exceeding sales goals and making extraordinary contributions in multiple areas such as winning new business, being a team player, maximizing cross-sell opportunities, and enhancing shareholder value.

McKnight currently volunteers with the Rome/Floyd County Young Life Committee, a non-denominational Christian high school ministry focusing on establishing

relationships with teens and adolescents, and also serves as a College Life Leader.

Lynn Whatley, Vice President and Financial Consultant with Synovus Securities, Inc. at Citizens First Bank, was recently recognized as one of the top three SSI Financial Consultants for generating the most GLOBALT client assets. In addition, his performance earned him inclusion in the Chairman’s Council which is the highest level of recognition presented to a Synovus Securities Financial Consultant. This award recognizes those who exceeded their annual production goals and consistently delivered a high degree of client satisfaction during the year. This is the ninth consecutive year Lynn has been recognized for outstanding performance.

“Lynn’s great year puts him in the Synovus Circle of Excellence,” stated Lewis. “We are so pleased to see him recognized for his tremendous job. Lynn is dedicated to his clients and their satisfaction, and we are proud of the way he provides them with sound financial advice and the finest in customer service.”

Whatley, a Rome native, is a graduate of Mercer University and received the Chartered Financial Consultant and Chartered Life Underwriter certifications from the American College in Bryn Mawr, PA. He has more than 36 years experience in the financial services industry including retirement, investment, estate, and insurance planning. Whatley and his wife, Vicki, reside in Rome.

Citizens First Bank is a division of Synovus Bank. www.citizensfirst-rome.com.