Clarke County Democrat

Barlow retiring after 37 years in banking business in Grove Hill





Dan Barlow reflects on long banking career.

Dan Barlow reflects on long banking career.

“It is my last Monday,” Dan Barlow remarked as he walked into his office at First United Security Bank in Grove Hill.

Barlow is retiring Friday after 37 years with the bank.

He came to work at the First Bank of Grove Hill in 1969. My brother [Kenneth Barlow] was the assistant county agent in Washington County. He and O. C. Helms, the president of the bank and the county agent here in Clarke County, were friends and Mr. Helms hired me,” Barlow explained.

The Furman native graduated from the University of Alabama in 1967 and had gone through the officers training program at Union Bank and Trust before coming to Grove Hill.

“When I first came here we had one location and less than $10 million in assets. Today we have 19 locations and $600 million in assets,” he said.

Barlow started out as a teller and in 1973 he was trained by John Becton and Mittie Grey Munn to process loans. He has been on the Board of Directors since 1971. He is currently City President/Executive Vice President and Director. He will continue to serve on the board after his retirement.

“I’ve seen a lot of changes. This building was built in 1974 and after that we bought Jackson Bank and Trust and the name changed to First Bank and Trust. We merged with United Security Bank in 1997.

“I’ve enjoyed helping my customers accomplish their goals and I’ve made a lot of good friends. I had one customer thank me for not giving him a loan. He said he really hadn’t needed the loan anyway and he thanked me for turning him down,” Barlow laughed.

He said sometimes he was more like a psychiatrist than a banker. Many customers have come to his office and confided their problems. “They may be having family or business problems and they just need someone to talk to.”

Barlow and his wife, Betty have four children. Jim Barlow works for Catepillar, has two children and lives in Illinois. Danny Barlow works for Hyundai and lives in Montgomery. Paul Stanley is a coach at Clarke County High School, Elizabeth Stanley is the Chief of Staff for Congresswoman Nita Lowey of New York. She lives in Washington, D.C.

After retiring Barlow said he plans “to get on the tractor and do some bush hogging.”

The Barlows also plan to travel and see their grandchildren more.

“I’ve enjoyed serving the people of Clarke County and the surrounding area. I’m sure I’ll miss it for a little while,” he laughed.

A reception will be held in Barlow’s honor Friday, Sept. 1 from 8:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the office on Main Street across from the courthouse.



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