STAFF REPORT

West Alabama Bank has announced an agreement to acquire three offices from BankTrust, formerly Peoples Bank & Trust.

The new offices are on McFarland Boulevard in Northport, Skyland Boulevard in Tuscaloosa and in Woodstock in Bibb County. West Alabama Bank currently operates 13 offices in seven West Alabama counties, including a branch in Marion.

Attempts to reach a local BankTrust spokesman were unsuccessful.

BankTrust recently acquired the Selma-based Peoples Bank & Trust Company in October 2007.

Based in Pickens County, West Alabama Bank is a community bank with $475 million in assets. The acquisition of the Peoples Bank offices, which is contingent upon regulatory approval, will increase the bank&8217;s assets to $515 million.

Finney said he expects West Alabama Bank to begin operating its three new offices by April 1. Most former BankTrust employees will be retained, he said, and employees are working to ensure the transition does not inconvenience customers.