At Guaranty Bank, we believe in giving back to our communities. This February, we’re celebrating National Love Your Pet Day and Random Acts of Kindness Day by making a difference for animals in need!

From February 15th to 20th, our branches will be collecting donations for local animal shelters, rescues, and humane societies. These organizations work tirelessly to care for homeless pets, and they need our help!

How You Can Help

We invite our employees, customers, and community members to join us in supporting these wonderful animal organizations by donating much-needed supplies.

What to Donate

Each organization has specific needs, but common donation requests include:

🐾 Pet food (dry/wet dog & cat food, puppy & kitten food)

🐾 Bedding (blankets, towels, heating pads)

🐾 Cleaning supplies (bleach, laundry detergent)

🐾 Toys & treats

Benefiting Organizations

Your generosity will directly support these incredible organizations:

• Mutt Madness of the MS Delta – Needs monetary donations, pet supplies, and dog and/or puppy food.

• BARK (Belzoni Animal Rescue Kennel) – Needs dog or puppy food, collars, metal or plastic buckets for water, treats, large metal bowls, toys (no stuffing, please), cedar/pine chips, puppy pads, and pill pockets.

• Mutt Madness – Needs towels and toys—Mutt Madness currently has over 30 little puppies they are bathing daily!

• Oxford Animal Resource Center – Needs dry cat food and dry dog food.

• Corinth Animal Shelter (Northeast MS) – Needs dry/wet adult and puppy food, cleaning supplies, and blankets.

• Fayette County Animal Rescue (Memphis/North MS) – Needs blankets, towels, and treats.

• Amory Animal Resource Center (Northeast MS) – Needs dog, puppy, cat, and kitten food, along with other pet essentials.

• Tupelo/Lee Humane Society (Northeast MS) – Needs bleach, laundry detergent, heating pads, and canned pet food.

• Tishomingo County Foster and Rescue – Needs Purina Pro Plan Small Breed Shredded Blend Lamb and Rice formula.

How to Participate

✅ Drop off your donations at any participating Guaranty Bank branch.

✅ Help us spread the word—share this initiative with friends, family, and fellow pet lovers!

✅ From February 21st to 24th, branches will deliver collected donations to the selected organizations.

Together, let’s make a difference for our four-legged friends! 🐶🐱💙

We are proud to offer the Homebuyer Equity Leverage Partnership (HELP) program.
This program offers down payment and closing cost assistant to low-income,
qualified first-time homebuyers. Let’s work together to explore whether HELP is
right for you.

Benefits and requirements:

• Only first-time homebuyers are eligible for the program. Some exceptions apply.
• HELP funds up to $20,000.00 per homebuyer.
• Household income limits apply (must not exceed 80% of the area median
• income).
• Homebuyers are required to complete a Homebuyer Counseling Program.
• Homebuyers must contribute $500 of their own funds toward the required
• down payment or closing costs.
• Homebuyers are required to sign a five-year retention agreement.
• Can be used in conjunction with Conventional, FHA, USDA, and VA loans.
• Minimum 620 credit score.
• Additional qualifying guidelines apply.

*Program subject to change without notice. Subject to underwriting terms and
conditions and some restrictions may apply.

Guaranty Bank is pleased to announce that Gentry Collier has joined our team as VP Mortgage Loan Officer in the newly expanded Oxford market. With over 20 years of mortgage lending experience, she is passionate about helping families in the Oxford community navigate the home-buying process, ensuring a smooth and stress-free experience.

Beyond her professional achievements, Gentry is deeply committed to the community. She has been an active board member for Night to Shine, a Tim Tebow Foundation event providing a prom experience for individuals with special needs, for several years. This involvement reflects her passion for making a positive impact both personally and professionally.

As a proud wife to Winston Collier and mom to five, Gentry has a deep understanding of the importance of finding the perfect place to call home. She is excited to bring her expertise and dedication to serving clients in the community she loves. In her free time, you can find her spending time with family and cheering on the Ole Miss Rebels.  

David Umsted, Mortgage Director, expressed his excitement about Gentry’s addition:
“Gentry’s wealth of experience and her commitment to the Oxford community make her an incredible asset to our team. Her focus on providing exceptional service and creating a seamless home-buying experience aligns perfectly with our mission at Guaranty Bank Mortgage.”

About Guaranty Bank Mortgage Division:
Guaranty Bank Mortgage is dedicated to helping individuals and families achieve the dream of homeownership. With a team of experienced mortgage professionals and a commitment to personalized service, we offer tailored lending solutions designed to meet our customer’s unique needs. From first-time homebuyers to seasoned homeowners, we strive to make the mortgage process seamless and transparent.

If you’re ready to start your home-buying journey, contact Gentry today at gentry.collier@gbtonline.com!

Guaranty Bank is proud to announce the promotion of 7 dedicated employees to officer status, approved by the Board earlier this year. People development is not just a core value at our bank—it’s the foundation of our success. These individuals have demonstrated exceptional contributions, embodying the innovation and excellence that drive our institution forward. Their promotions mark career milestones and pivotal roles in shaping our collective growth and progress.

Join us in congratulating:

Hue Townsend, President & CEO stated, “The promotion of these outstanding individuals underscores our unwavering commitment to nurturing talent and fostering leadership within our organization. At Guaranty Bank, we take pride in empowering our team to achieve their highest potential as we collectively strive to provide exceptional service to our customers and communities.”

About Guaranty Bank:
Guaranty Bank is a locally owned community bank focused on personalized service and building long-term relationships. We’re committed to helping individuals and businesses in our region grow and thrive by providing modern banking solutions and fostering a culture of trust, growth, and innovation.

The holiday season is a time for joy, generosity, and giving back to the community. We’re excited to invite you to be part of our Annual Toy Drive, running from Monday, December 2, to Wednesday, December 18! This has been a beloved tradition we started at Guaranty Bank 13 years ago and we look forward to it every single year.

We’re calling on our amazing customers and community members to help make the season brighter for children in need. Every Guaranty Bank branch will collect toys to donate to deserving local organizations.

 How You Can Get Involved:

• Drop-Off Toys: Visit your local Guaranty Bank branch and leave your toy donation in the designated collection area.
• Choose Joy: Toys of all kinds are welcome, from games and puzzles to dolls and action figures. We kindly ask for new, unwrapped items to make the experience magical for every child.
• Share the Spirit: Encourage your friends and family to join in the giving! Together, we can make an incredible impact on our communities.

Why It Matters:

Every toy collected will bring smiles to children in need and help spread the warmth and joy of the holiday season. It’s a simple but meaningful way to support families and make the season special for everyone.

Stay Connected:

Follow us on social media to see photos of the toys being delivered to local organizations and to witness the joy your generosity brings to our communities.

Thank you for helping us create holiday magic for children across our communities. Let’s make this season unforgettable, one toy at a time!

Visit your local Guaranty Bank branch today to donate and spread the holiday cheer!

Branch Beneficiaries:

Amory – Meadowood Baptist Church Angel Tree

Batesville branches – The Grace Place

Burnsville – Tishomingo County Angel Tree

Calhoun County – Toys for Tots

Cleveland – Boss Lady 4 Kids Store

Cordova – LeBonheur Children’s Hospital

East Memphis – St. Jude

Fulton – Pack the Cruiser (Itawamba County/City of Fulton)

Greenwood – Gracefully Broken

Hernando McIngvale – Interfaith Council

Hollandale – Hollandale Community Volunteers for Progress

Indianola – First Methodist Church Angel Tree

Iuka – Direct Support to Local Families

Oakland – Fayette Cares Angel Tree

Oxford branches – The YMCA

Ridgeland – MadCAAP

Saltillo – Partnering with local elementary school to directly support local families

Senatobia – Tate County Sheriff’s Department

Southaven – Healing Hearts Child Advocacy Center

Southaven Customer Success Center – DeSoto County Dream Center

Starkville – Starkville Strong

Tishomingo – Tishomingo Police Department/Town of Tishomingo

Tupelo branches – Children’s Mansion

Uptown Memphis – Direct Support to Local Families

Stay tuned for more beneficiary details by branch to come.

BELZONI – Hue Townsend, CEO of Guaranty Bank, is pleased to announce that Steven Coleman has been named SVP Regional Commercial Banker. In this position, Steven will focus on empowering businesses across Northeast Mississippi, working alongside Tommy Chamblee, Regional President for Northeast Mississippi, to support local entrepreneurs and provide tailored banking solutions.

As a Fulton native, Steven brings a deep understanding of the region’s needs. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Banking and Finance and Business Administration at Mississippi State University. In 2019, he completed courses from the Mississippi School of Banking to continue his banking education.

Steven’s passion for community extends far beyond banking. While in Starkville, he was on the board of the Starkville Rotary Club and was a member of the Greater Starkville Development Partnership and Oktibbeha Young Leaders. Steven has been active in the Oktibbeha Chapter of the MSU Alumni Association and has served on numerous advisory boards related to the University and growth in the Starkville community. His work with Habitat for Humanity reflects his belief in strengthening communities through affordable housing initiatives.

“We are pleased to have Steven join the Guaranty Bank team to enhance our commercial lending presence in Tupelo and the surrounding areas,” said Tommy Chamblee. “While bringing his extensive experience in various areas of banking back to his home region, we’re confident that Steven will serve this greater business community, aligning with both Guaranty Bank’s growth and vision.”

Steven is looking forward to calling the Tupelo area home soon with his wife Amanda and their two children, Cooper, 10 and Lennon, 7.

About Guaranty Bank

Guaranty Bank, a locally-owned community bank, focuses on personalized service and is committed to fostering long-term relationships with individuals and businesses, contributing to the region’s growth and prosperity.

BELZONI – Hue Townsend, CEO of Guaranty Bank, is pleased to announce that Dylan Edwards has been named Controller. In this business leadership role, Dylan will direct daily accounting operations and will be led by the Chief Financial Officer.

Dylan earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the Adkerson School of Accountancy at Mississippi State University. He then spent the first segment of his career in the public accounting sector in Nashville before recently relocating to Madison, Mississippi.

Dylan holds CPA licenses in both Tennessee and Mississippi. He is also active in several professional organizations, such as the Mississippi Bankers Association, American Bankers Association, Mississippi Society of CPAs, and the Tennessee Society of CPAs.

Dylan and his wife Nicole reside in Madison, where they are members of Madison Methodist Church. Outside of work, Dylan enjoys attending MSU sporting events, getting outdoors, and spending time with his Bernedoodle, George.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dylan to our team,” said Rich Knox, CFO of Guaranty Bank. “His extensive experience in accounting, specifically in banks, will be instrumental as we continue to grow and serve our community. With his deep understanding of financial regulations and best practices, we are confident that we can maintain strong financial health and achieve our strategic goals.”

Guaranty Bank & Trust Company CEO Hue Townsend is pleased to announce the board appointment of Relationship Banker Blake Shipp to Batesville President.

Blake has been a Guaranty Bank team member for 17 years and has held numerous positions within the organization.

Blake attended North Delta School and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Mississippi. In 2010, he completed courses from the Mississippi School of Banking to continue his banking education.

Blake’s community involvement is a testament to his dedication to Batesville. As a member of Batesville First Methodist Church, he actively serves on the Finance Committee. His service on numerous boards, including the Panola County Industrial Development Authority and Panola Partnership, has significantly contributed to the growth, local economy, and quality of life in the county. Currently, he is serving on the Board of Directors for Panola County Community Chest Fund, further demonstrating his commitment to the community.

“Blake is very deserving of this promotion to City President for Batesville,” stated Mickey Naaman, North Regional President. “He is a Batesville native and very involved in numerous community organizations. I could not be more proud of Blake and his family as he embraces this new leadership role.”

With this strategic transition, Keith Buck has assumed a new role as Commercial Relationship Banker where he will continue to work one on one with business clients. This adjustment, carefully planned, ensures a seamless continuation of our services, with Blake now able to focus his skills on leading the team and meeting the needs of the community and our customers.

Blake and his wife, Magan, have three children: Preston, 13, Nola, 8, and Andrew, 6. He coaches his sons’ baseball teams and enjoys time outside of the bank as an outdoorsman and playing golf.

BELZONI – Guaranty Bank & Trust Company is pleased to announce that Lisa Childs has been named Vice President, Loan Processing Administrator.

With 25 years career banking experience, Lisa brings a wealth of knowledge in the crucial tasks performed by loan processors in the Central Credit Department based in Belzoni.

A Humphreys County native, Childs joined Guaranty Bank in 1999. To her position, she brings both longtime practical banking experience as well as continuing education with certificate programs through the American Institute of Banking.

She is married to Floyd Childs and has two sons, a stepdaughter, a daughter, and five grandchildren.

“Lisa’s dedication, leadership, and knowledge in Loan Operations cannot be overstated,” stated Pam Jones, SVP Chief Operations Officer. “The loan processing department has grown tremendously with her guidance and direction.  I am truly excited to see Lisa continue to excel in her new role!”  

BELZONI – Guaranty Bank & Trust Company is pleased to announce the board appointment of Greenville Branch Manager Wendy Witherspoon to Vice President.

With a wealth of experience, Wendy spent 10-plus years in finance before joining Guaranty Bank and has served in numerous positions within the organization, from teller and lending to branch management in the Greenville Highway 1 location.

“Wendy has been an exceptional leader at our Highway 1 location, embodying Guaranty Bank’s commitment to excellence in customer service and community engagement,” stated Ken Purvis, Greenville Branch President and Commercial Lender. “We are confident that Wendy will continue to excel in her Branch Manager role, serving the needs of our customers first and foremost.”

An avid volunteer in the Greenville community, Wendy and her husband, Jeff, have two children and four grandchildren.