Chilton County’s potential for future growth has caught the eye of Marion Bank & Trust’s most influential people.

“Our directors identified Chilton County as a growth area,” Chilton County Regional President Brad Jackson said. “They made a financial commitment to invest.”

That stance was verified yet again, as the company opened its third location in the county limits at 601 Second Avenue in Clanton.

“We knew we wanted to be in Clanton’s downtown area, and just stumbled upon it [location],” Jackson said. “We hope we outgrow it and have to open a second location in Clanton, but that’s all preliminary.”

The business opened in May and continued the recent company trend of new locations every two years.

Marion introduced itself to Chilton County by opening a location in Maplesville in 2016 before following suit with another in Jemison in 2018.

The bank started in 1934 in Perry County. Three of the company’s five current facilities are in Chilton County.

“We are trying to grow our footprint, and Clanton will help springboard that,” Jackson said. “It’s exciting times for our bank.”

Jackson acknowledged the working relationship that was developed between the bank and City of Clanton leaders to help the newest location become a reality.

According to Jackson, Clanton Mayor Billy Joe Driver and the rest of the Council along with city building inspector Cecil “Gene” Martin and secretary Susan Rickles were fantastic to work with throughout the process.

“Chilton County has been good to us,” Jackson said. “We enjoy the community we work in.”

Marion Bank & Trust is one of the first new businesses to open locally since the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown.

“We were ready to open three weeks before we did, but it was not detrimental by any means,” Jackson said.

About 12 employees work at the three Chilton County branches combined.

According to Jackson, they are all from the local area.

The bank is open Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The lobby is open and the bank is taking social distancing measures and sanitizing regularly.