Emanuel County Chamber Spotlight: 1st Franklin Financial

On January 1, 1941, Franklin Discount Company was founded by Ben F. Cheek, Jr. in Toccoa, GA. The first transaction was an automobile sales contract for $34. In the decades that followed, the Company expanded its services into selling investment securities to the public to finance its loan operation. In 1983, the name “Franklin Discount Company” was replaced with “1ˢᵗ Franklin Financial Corporation.” Today, 1st Franklin Financial operates more than 320 branches in 7 states including Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas, and its Investment Center has grown to over 6,100 customers and over 1,450 employees.
1st Franklin Financial Corporation, headquartered in Toccoa, Georgia, is in the consumer finance business, offering personal loans of up to $15,000. The Swainsboro loan office opened in 1990 and became a Swainsboro-Emanuel County Chamber member in January 1991. The Branch Manager is Wanda Parham, and the Regional Operations Director is Joe Daniel. The company’s mission is to serve communities by offering opportunities to individuals and families through financial services, and its goal is to help customers achieve theirs. Their values are:
1. Team: Be Trustworthy. We succeed or fail as one.
2. Impact: Be Intentional. Be intentional about having a positive impact.

3. People: Be Exceptional. We put people 1st.
4. Service: Be Humble. Financing for the individual since 1941.
1st Franklin Financial has a reputation as the “Friendly Franklin Folks” and has for 80 years now. Their most important service to the community is servicing their customers’ financial needs, the vast majority of which are from right here in Emanuel County. People are their real business, and the people of Emanuel County are their neighbors. Over the years, 1st Franklin has supported the schools, athletic teams, festivals, and public events, understanding it is important that they are good neighbors to this community. They joined the Chamber believing it is both anchor and visionary in supporting this community and bringing opportunities to Emanuel County citizens.
1st Franklin Financial is located at 414 South Main Street, Suite A-1, in Swainsboro. Their hours of operation are Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.; and Wednesdays, 8:30 until 1:30 p.m. Contact 1st Franklin Financial via phone by dialing 478-237-3400 or visit their website at www.1ffc.com. 1st Franklin Financial is also active through social media via Facebook (facebook.com/1stFFCSwainsboroGA) and Instagram (@1stfranklinfinancial).