The Bank of Brookhaven marked its 25th anniversary Friday, Jan. 31. On Nov. 17, 1999, the bank received its bank charter at a hearing in Jackson in only 77 days — faster than any bank in the history of Mississippi. The bank opened for business on Monday, Jan. 31, 2000, in a modular building on the lot behind where the bank currently stands.

“We still love our location 25 years later, which is in the center of town convenient to downtown and Brookway Boulevard,” said founder and Bank Board Chairman Bill Sones Sr. 

The bank was started by a group of incorporators that later became the bank’s Board of Directors. That group include Carl Aycock, Linda Ebbers, Pat Hennington, Dan Keel, Mark Lewis, Bob Massengill, Steve Mills, Tom Moak, G. Dale Smith, J. Ronny Smith and Bill Sones. The bank opened with 16 employees.

Bank stock sold for $20 per share, with more than $7.5 million sold to 241 shareholders. At the end of March 2000, the bank’s assets totaled $20 million. As of Dec. 31, 2024, the Bank of Brookhaven had $232,257,451 in total assets, with 31 employees.

“Over the years, the bank has tried to be a great corporate citizen, giving back not only by financially sponsoring events, but also through service to area churches and schools,” said Bank President Shannon Aker. 

The bank has been involved in most of the development of downtown in recent years, financing many projects from restaurants to hotels to office buildings.

“We always think in terms of, ‘Would Brookhaven-Lincoln County miss us if we weren’t here’,” said CEO Robb Massengill, a Brookhaven High graduate and lifelong Brookhaven resident.

Most of the bank’s leadership is made up of people who attended high school in Lincoln County schools, Brookhaven High School, or Brookhaven Academy. The current Board is made up of several original members and a few new ones. These are Sones, Aker, Robb and Bob Massengill, Aycock, Danny Dunnaway, Hennington, Bill Sones Jr., Ryan Holmes, and Steve Mills. Dan Keel and G. Dale Smith serve as directors emeritus. 

The bank plans to celebrate its quarter century milestone with special giveaways throughout the year. 

“We would not be here without our customers and friends,” said Board vice chairman Bob Massengill.

Bank of Brookhaven works hard to be one of the best performing banks in Mississippi. At the close of the third quarter 2024, Bank of Brookhaven was ranked fourth out of the 65 banks in the state for overall performance. 

“We are so thankful to be here to serve the hometown and we look forward to many years to come,” said Sones Sr. “Our dedicated employees have worked hard to make Bank of Brookhaven something we can be proud of.”