Joel C. Clements, Chairman, CEO and President of First State Bank in Waynesboro announced that Jeffrey B. Lacey has joined the bank as Chief Operating Officer.

“Jeff Lacey is a solid, experienced senior banker that is also very active in the banking industry and in the communities he serves,” said Clements. “We are proud to have Jeff on the First State Bank team.”

Lacey, a native of Kosciusko, is a graduate of Mississippi State University. He also attended the Mississippi School of Banking, ABA Commercial Lending School at the University of Oklahoma, The Southeastern Commercial Lending School at Vanderbilt and the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University.

Lacey has over thirty years of banking experience and has held several senior management positions at other Mississippi banks. He is active in a number of community and professional organizations including the Mississippi Bankers Association and he currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Business and Industry Political Education Committee (BIPEC).

Jeff and his wife Misty have two children, Grayson and Addie Hart.

Since 1934, First State Bank has been committed to meeting the financial needs of area individuals and businesses, all while providing superior customer service. Headquartered in Waynesboro, they now have locations in Ellisville, Laurel, Leakesville, Lucedale, Meridian, and Quitman.

First State Bank has earned a 5 Star Rating from Bauer Financial for 113 consecutive quarters, qualifying them for “Best of Bauer” status. For additional information on First State Bank visit www.firststatebnk.com.