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.