By JOHN THOMPSON
jthompson@TheCitizenNews.com

For more than 100 years, when Fairburn residents have thought about banking, the first word that pops into their heads is Fairbanco.

Established in 1891, the bank just celebrated its 109th anniversary and the differences are enormous now and then.

"We were chartered with $25,000 in capital stock when we started. Now, our assets are more than $140 million," said executive vice-president Nina Ray.

To understand how different things were just before the turn of the century, consider these facts provided by Ray:

The railroads were just being built to link many of the towns around Atlanta together.

Trolley tracks lined the street.

Cokes were a nickel.

The Wright Brothers were just beginning to experiment with the idea of an airplane in North Carolina.

Throughout the years, the bank has emphasized one quality above everything else: customer service. Ray said the bank placed fourth in this year's Quality Service Awards from the Community Bankers Association, but hopes to soon win the coveted title.

As you walk through the doors, you get a feeling of coziness and comfort and Ray said the bank is constantly striving to make people feel at home.

The bank originally was on Broad Street, but caught fire in 1919. It was rebuilt at the Broad Street location and then moved to its Washington Street location in 1964 because it was growing so rapidly.

Today, the bank has three other branches in Union City, Palmetto and Peachtree City, and will offer Internet banking in the next four months, Ray said.

The bank has more than 5,000 customers and is a big participant in civic clubs and events such as Old Campbell County Homecoming, which is celebrated this weekend.

The bank has maintained its independence in these days of super-banks, and Ray knows the reason.

"We've had offers from other banks, but our employees own 42 percent of the bank's stock and we don't want to sell," she said.

The bank employees are commited to Fairburn and South Fulton County, she said.

"Our motto is 'Bank where you're a neighbor, not a number,'" she said.