First Community Corporation closed its $50 million acquisition of Signature Bank of Georgia on January 8 2026, adding more than $2.3 billion in assets, $2.1 billion in deposits and $1.5 billion in loans to its balance sheet. The deal also expands First Community’s footprint into the Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell market and brings a high‑performing SBA/USDA lending platform under its umbrella.
The acquisition is a strategic move to diversify revenue beyond traditional net‑interest income. By adding Signature’s SBA/USDA portfolio, First Community can cross‑sell these products to its existing South Carolina branches, creating new fee‑based income streams. The expanded presence in the Atlanta market also positions the bank to capture growth in a region that has seen rapid commercial real‑estate and small‑business activity.
Integration plans are phased: Signature’s offices will continue to operate under the “First Community Bank d/b/a Signature Bank of Georgia” name until a systems conversion in March 2026. The deal also brought former Signature executives Fred J. Deutsch and Jonathan W. Been onto First Community’s board, signaling a commitment to blend leadership and expertise from both institutions.
Financially, the merger is expected to be accretive to earnings. Analysts project a 4.4 % accretion to First Community’s earnings per share in 2026, driven by the higher-margin SBA lending and the cost efficiencies realized from consolidating overlapping operations. The transaction also improves the bank’s tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio, strengthening its capital profile.
Prior to the acquisition, First Community reported assets of $7.8 billion, deposits of $6.5 billion and loans of $5.9 billion. The $50 million purchase price reflects a valuation increase from the $41.6 million announced in July 2025, largely due to a rise in First Community’s stock price during the interim period. The higher price also accounts for the additional SBA/USDA loan book that was not fully captured in the earlier estimate.
CEO Michael C. Crapps emphasized that the deal “continues our commitment as a community bank focused on local businesses, professionals, and entrepreneurs while enhancing shareholder value through operating advantages.” He added that the added SBA/USDA platform will be scaled across all markets, underscoring the bank’s strategy to grow fee‑based income and deepen community ties.
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