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The face of banking calls it quits
in Fairburn

By JOHN THOMPSON
jthompson@TheCitizenNews.com

For more than 30 years, customers who wandered into Fairburn’s local bank knew there would be one face that could help them with their banking concerns.

But as 2004 turned into 2005, United Community Bank’s Bob Fuller decided it was time for him to retire and enter the next phase of his life.

“The bank’s in really good hands and it’s time for me to move on,” Fuller said.

In the late 1950s, Fuller was finishing his collegiate career at West Georgia College in Carrollton and knew he wanted to do something in the financial industry. A friend’s father told Fuller that if he ever wanted to get started in the banking business, he should look him up after graduation.

Fuller promptly called the father started his banking career working at the old C&S Bank in East Point.

“You started out at the bottom, so I started out as a teller,” he said.

Eventually, Fuller wound up as part of the management team in Hapeville and moved to Fairbanco in 1967. When he started in Fairburn, the bank’s assets totaled $12 million. But by the time he left as chairman of the board, the bank had grown to a $200 million establishment.

During his tenure, Fuller saw a lot of changes in the banking industry. Everything from automatic teller machines to charging for teller services occurred during his banking career. But Fuller said the lesson he learned when he started out as a teller still rings true today.

“It’s all customer service, and that’s what I’ve emphasized my whole life,” he said.

Fuller was instrumental in helping the bank merge with United Community Bank last June. He’s happy that United is a small commercial chain based in Blairsville that also focuses on customer service.

He was a legend in the Fairburn business community and helped the bank participate in everything from the city’s Old Campbell County Days to various charity events during the years.

On Dec.30, friends and family gathered at the bank’s main office in Fairburn to bid him a fond good-bye. The lobby was jammed with well-wishers and Fuller appeared almost overwhelmed at the celebration of his banking career.

“it’s just so good to see all those old friends. I hope to spend more time with them and my family now that I’m retiring,” Fuller said.

From the joyous looks from coworkers and a few tears rolling down customers’ cheeks at the gathering, it appears that Fuller will be remembered a long time by Fairburn's business community.