Heritage Financial Group Inc (HBOS)

[Enterprising Investor]

HBOS Opens New Banking Office in Macon (4/18/12)

ALBANY, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Heritage Financial Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: HBOS), the holding company for HeritageBank of the South, today announced that the Bank has hired Hughes Pinson to lead its expansion in the Macon, Georgia market. After entering the Macon market in August 2011 with a mortgage loan office, HeritageBank has now opened a new commercial banking office. Pinson will serve as the new Regional President for HeritageBank of the South in Macon.

Commenting on the announcement, Leonard Dorminey, President and Chief Executive Officer of Heritage Financial Group, said, "We have long considered Macon to be an attractive and vibrant market, one that could be strategically important to our company. So we are excited to capitalize on the opportunity to both expand there and strengthen our team at the same time by adding talented leadership for the market. We are pleased to welcome Hughes to HeritageBank of the South and we will commit our full resources and capabilities to help him create the best banking experience possible for the Macon community."

Pinson has a 20-year career in the financial industry in Macon. His experience in the market is expected to provide HeritageBank of the South with an advantage as it seeks to grow its customer base in Middle Georgia. Pinson is a graduate of Auburn University.

The new HeritageBank of the South office is located next to the Bank's mortgage office at 3200 Riverside Drive, Suite B #275 in Macon.

Except for historical information contained herein, the matters included in this news release and other information in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission may contain certain "forward-looking statements," within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Reform Act of 1995 and include this statement for purposes of these safe harbor provisions. Further information concerning the Company and its business, including additional factors that could materially affect our financial results, is included in our other filings with the SEC.

Heritage Financial Group, Inc. is the holding company for HeritageBank of the South, a community-oriented bank serving primarily South Georgia and North Central Florida through 22 full-service branch locations, 11 mortgage offices, and 3 investment offices. As of December 31, 2011, the Company reported total assets of approximately $1.1 billion and total stockholders' equity of approximately $124 million. For more information about the Company, visit HeritageBank of the South on the Web at www.eheritagebank.com and see Investor Relations under About Us.

Contacts
Heritage Financial Group, Inc.
T. Heath Fountain, 229-878-2055
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20120418005152/en/HeritageBank-South-Opens-Banking-Office-Macon