EX-99.1
2
form8k_pr-100109.txt
PRESS RELEASE
First Sentry Bank
Your Town...Your Bank
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 25, 2009
Contact: Mr. Geoffrey S. Sheils
First Sentry Bancshares
823 8th Street
Huntington, WV 25701
Phone: (304) 522-6400
URL: www.firstsentry.com
-------------------
email: geoff.sheils@firstsentry.com
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FIRST SENTRY BANK ANNOUNCES THE COMPLETION OF ITS MERGER WITH GUARANTY BANK
Huntington, W.Va., (September 25, 2009): First Sentry Bancshares, Inc. ("First
Sentry"), the parent company of First Sentry Bank, announced today that it
completed its merger with Guaranty Financial Services, Inc. ("Guaranty"), the
parent company of Guaranty Bank & Trust. In connection with this transaction,
Guaranty shareholders will receive one share of First Sentry stock for each
share of their Guaranty stock.
"On behalf of First Sentry Bank, I want to welcome the customers, shareholders,
employees, and directors of Guaranty Bank to the First Sentry family. We are
thrilled to have completed the merger and are eager to begin the process of
being Your Bank", stated Geoffrey S. Sheils, President & CEO of First Sentry.
"This combination of two strong, locally-owned and independent banks will
enhance our ability to serve the financial needs of businesses and individuals
in our community while providing increased opportunities to foster economic
expansion in our region." With the proposed merger, the combined company will
have assets of approximately $485 million.
First Sentry, a West Virginia state chartered bank, commenced operations on
October 23, 1996 after raising $6 million in capital from a private stock
offering, and spent its first 19-20 months operating from a small, renovated
restaurant building at its current downtown Huntington location. The bank was
recognized in early 2007 by Entrepreneur Magazine as the top bank for small
businesses in West Virginia, and was recognized in 2009 by U.S. Banker magazine
as being in the top 200 community banks in the nation.
The bank will operate four full service offices and one drive thru office in
Cabell and Lincoln Counties, West Virginia. The bank utilizes technology to
provide its customers 24/7 banking access with its website and telephone
banking, 304-399-6400. More information can be obtained at www.firstsentry.com.
-------------------
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the
meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking
statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to
historical or current facts. They often include the words "believe", "expect,"
"anticipate", "intend", "plan", "estimate" or words of similar meaning, or
future or conditional verbs such as "will", "would", "should", "could" or "may".
Forward-looking statements, by their nature, are subject to risks and
uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual conditions, events or
results to differ significantly from those described in the forward-looking
statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made.
We do not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect
circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements
are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

EX - 99 . 1 2 form8k _ pr - 100109 . txt PRESS RELEASE First Sentry Bank Your Town ... Your Bank Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 25 , 2009 Contact : Mr . Geoffrey S. Sheils First Sentry Bancshares 823 8th Street Huntington , WV 25701 Phone : ( 304 ) 522 - 6400 URL : www.firstsentry.com ------------------- email : geoff.sheils@firstsentry.com ---------------------------- FIRST SENTRY BANK ANNOUNCES THE COMPLETION OF ITS MERGER WITH GUARANTY BANK Huntington , W . Va . , ( September 25 , 2009 ) : First Sentry Bancshares , Inc . ( " First Sentry " ) , the parent company of First Sentry Bank , announced today that it completed its merger with Guaranty Financial Services , Inc . ( " Guaranty " ) , the parent company of Guaranty Bank & Trust . In connection with this transaction , Guaranty shareholders will receive one share of First Sentry stock for each share of their Guaranty stock . " On behalf of First Sentry Bank , I want to welcome the customers , shareholders , employees , and directors of Guaranty Bank to the First Sentry family . We are thrilled to have completed the merger and are eager to begin the process of being Your Bank " , stated Geoffrey S. Sheils , President & CEO of First Sentry . " This combination of two strong , locally - owned and independent banks will enhance our ability to serve the financial needs of businesses and individuals in our community while providing increased opportunities to foster economic expansion in our region . " With the proposed merger , the combined company will have assets of approximately $ 485 million . First Sentry , a West Virginia state chartered bank , commenced operations on October 23 , 1996 after raising $ 6 million in capital from a private stock offering , and spent its first 19 - 20 months operating from a small , renovated restaurant building at its current downtown Huntington location . The bank was recognized in early 2007 by Entrepreneur Magazine as the top bank for small businesses in West Virginia , and was recognized in 2009 by U . S . Banker magazine as being in the top 200 community banks in the nation . The bank will operate four full service offices and one drive thru office in Cabell and Lincoln Counties , West Virginia . The bank utilizes technology to provide its customers 24 / 7 banking access with its website and telephone banking , 304 - 399 - 6400 . More information can be obtained at www.firstsentry.com . ------------------- This press release contains certain forward - looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 . Forward - looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts . They often include the words " believe " , " expect , " " anticipate " , " intend " , " plan " , " estimate " or words of similar meaning , or future or conditional verbs such as " will " , " would " , " should " , " could " or " may " . Forward - looking statements , by their nature , are subject to risks and uncertainties . A number of factors could cause actual conditions , events or results to differ significantly from those described in the forward - looking statements . Forward - looking statements speak only as of the date they are made . We do not undertake to update forward - looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward - looking statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events .