Although First Citizens Bank and First Lowndes Bank have merged, the two banking systems have yet to be combined and will remain so until late July.

“Basically, the two banks are still running independent of each other,” said bank president William Petrey. “We are still running our computer system, and the branches of First Lowndes are still running theirs. The two computer systems don’t communicate.”

This means, Petrey said, if you were a First Lowndes Bank customer, you need to continue to make your banking transactions at either the Greenville, Highland Home, Hayneville or Fort Deposit branches. The same holds true for First Citizens customers, Petrey said.

“If all goes well, the two systems will be integrated by Monday, July 26,” Petrey said.

Once the systems are combined, all First Citizens customers will be able to bank at any of the five branches.