On July 1, 2022, Bank of Walker County officially opened a new branch, located in the Curry/Smith Lake area, just off Hwy 257. Originally Synovus Bank, the building was purchased by Bank of Walker County and updated before reopening its doors. Members of the community celebrated this addition to the fast-growing Smith Lake area by bringing plants, flowers and homemade baked goods for the employees and later by gathering for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 21.

Bank of Walker County has a prosperous history within the Jasper and Walker County community. Founded in 2004, the bank has roots all the way back to the Bank of Parrish, where Mark Wilson’s father, C.B. Wilson, worked until his retirement in 1990. Today, Mark and his son, Walker, continue to carry on his legacy at Bank of Walker County.

President and Senior Lender of the bank, H. Anthony “Tony” Sparks, says that the business was, and continues to be, deeply grounded in faith. “There were times when it was challenging to get it off the ground. Yet, God took care of them, and now we get to be here for the community.”

Holding almost thirty years of banking experience, Sparks’ wife, Jackie, manages the new Smith Lake branch in the same building she previously worked in, alongside some of her original coworkers.

Since the building was purchased, multiple projects have taken place to restore and refresh the building. The outside of the building has been painted white, new furniture has been added, and the technology has been installed the bring the building up-to-date and give the employees a fresh space to work in.

Since opening, the Smith Lake branch has been able to participate in and sponsor many community-wide activities, with a goal to help Smith Lake to remain a beautiful and prosperous community.

“The people have been so supportive of this new branch, and we want to keep our efforts in the community as much as possible,” says Sparks.

Contact the Smith Lake branch of Bank of Walker County at (205)282-4100 or visit from Monday – Friday from 8:30 am – 5 pm. The branch is located at 5616 Curry Highway.