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.

BELZONI – Guaranty Bank & Trust Company is pleased to announce that Mary Reeder has been promoted to VP Branch Support Manager.

With 40 years of career banking experience, Mary brings a wealth of operational and branch management experience to Guaranty Bank. In her new role, she oversees branch support and is ultimately the driving force of customer experience consistency across all Guaranty Bank locations in Mississippi and Tennessee

A Batesville native, Mary cut her teeth in community banking in 1985 and continued to rise into various officer positions, from compliance and operations to lending. Mary joined the Guaranty Bank team in 2014 as Branch Manager for the Batesville locations. Her continued education in banking includes the American Institute of Banking Courses among numerous seminars and training classes on banking and real estate.

She’s an active member of Shady Grove Baptist Church and the Batesville Rotary Club. Among other honors and civic club positions, she was the 2020 recipient of the Panola Partnership Bobbie Jean Pounders Ambassador Award. She and her husband, Darrell, live in Sardis.

“Mary’s dedication, leadership and commitment to excellence make her the perfect fit for this role,” stated Gretchen McNeal, SVP Director of Administration. “We are excited to see her thrive with continued success in our organization.”

Guaranty Bank is proud to announce that Gretchen McNeal has been promoted to SVP, Director of Branch Administration.

A tenured employee for more than 25 years, Gretchen will lead the Regional Retail Managers, enhancing communication across all Guaranty Bank locations in Mississippi and Tennessee. Her ultimate leadership role is ensuring consistency and customer service excellence, embracing Guaranty Bank’s mission of providing a cutting-edge community banking experience.

“Gretchen’s impact on the growth of Guaranty Bank cannot be overstated,” said Hue Townsend, CEO and President of Guaranty Bank. “Her mastery of systems and solution-focused approach has propelled our success, earning the trust and admiration of all of our teammates.”

A native of Hollandale, Mississippi, Gretchen’s career path in banking began upon high school graduation while working as a teller with the Bank of Hollandale.

Gretchen is a graduate of Delta State University where she also received her Master’s in Business Administration. She was named Operations Specialist at Guaranty Bank in 1999 where she would continue to grow professionally and assume the role of Operations Manager.

Having served in several positions throughout her illustrious career at Guaranty Bank, Gretchen is an Accredited ACH Professional and a recognized National Checks Professional (NCP) under the National Checks Payments Certification Program (NCPC). As a dedicated team member, she also champions financial literacy for those in need of assistance in the community.

Gretchen is married to Rodney McNeal; they have two daughters, Tyra and Tayla.

Guaranty Bank, a steadfast advocate for growth and progress, proudly announces the promotion of 10 of its dedicated employees approved by the Board. As a cornerstone of our organizational ethos, people development is not merely a core value we uphold; it’s the heartbeat of our institution. As we celebrate their achievements, we recognize them as catalysts for innovation and drivers of our collective success. Their journey to officer status is not just a career milestone; it’s a testament to their outstanding contributions that have truly set them apart.

Please join us in congratulating:

Ali Inmon –Portfolio Manager II, AVP, Oxford

Angelle Oltremari – Consumer Underwriting Manager, AVP, Credit

Debbie Bailey – Operations Manager, AVP, Operations

Laura Meredith –Branch Manager, AVP, Senatobia

Lindsay Lehman – Branch Manager/Loan Support, AVP, Southaven

Hunter Screws – Commercial Banker, Bank Officer, Belzoni

Lauren Strowd – Senior Consumer Underwriting Specialist, Bank Officer, Credit

Matthew Fortenberry – Information Security Officer, Bank Officer, Fulton

Meagan Grisham – Brand Manager, Bank Officer, Marketing

Tanner Jackson – Ag Credit Specialist, AVP, Grenada

Hue Townsend, President & CEO stated, “These well-deserved promotions reflect the dedication, hard work, and exceptional skills that define our workforce. At Guaranty Bank, we continue to invest in its greatest asset – its people – ensuring a thriving community of professionals dedicated to providing unparalleled service and expertise.”

BELZONI – Guaranty Bank & Trust Company is pleased to announce five appointments within the bank to assume the role of Regional Retail Manager. Carrie Bullock, Ginger Morgan, Ann Hopkins, Missy Edmondson, and Chase Clark will lead branch management in their designated communities. Their mission within the company is to ensure customer-centric excellence across all locations, aligning Guaranty Bank’s vision of providing a cutting-edge community banking experience.

Carrie Bullock of the East Memphis office will lead Guaranty Bank locations in Tennessee and the Northwest Mississippi communities. With an education that includes the Barret School of Banking, Carrie has been an integral part of the Memphis banking community for 20 years, specializing in Retail Banking.

Ginger Morgan of Greenville will oversee the Mississippi Delta communities of Greenville, Hollandale, Belzoni, and Vicksburg. A native of Leland, Ginger was educated at the University of Mississippi. She has held five previous titles with Guaranty Bank, bringing significant expertise in customer service and community banking culture.

Leading Northeast Mississippi communities is Ann Hopkins of the Tupelo location. A magna cum laude graduate of the University of Mississippi, Ann has spent 20 years in the banking industry. She was the Assistant Operations Officer at First American National Bank prior to the recent partnership with Guaranty Bank.

Missy Edmondson of the Oxford office will manage the North Central Mississippi communities. A native of Corinth, Missy has a wealth of banking experience, combining 30 total years from four financial institutions. Her commitment to customer service excellence led her to this new role, previously the Branch Manager in Oxford.

Chase Clark of the Greenwood office will oversee central communities in the Mississippi Delta, as well as Grenada, Ridgeland, and Starkville. A native of Cleveland, she was educated at Mississippi Delta Community College. Celebrating her 20th anniversary in banking this year, Chase has held three previous positions at Guaranty Bank.

“As Guaranty Bank continues to prioritize exceptional service and community engagement, we are proud to welcome Carrie, Ginger, Ann, Missy, and Chase into their new roles as Regional Retail Managers,” stated Gretchen McNeal, Director of Branch Administration. “Their dedication to our customers and commitment to excellence will undoubtedly elevate the banking experience across our footprint.”