Despite a few minor challenges, Sweet Water State Bank’s first day in Demopolis went smoothly branch president Olen Kerby said Monday.

“It was a good day,” he said. “We were on the phones all day. We really didn’t advertise that we were opening today but people found out and came calling on us. We were encouraged by it.”

The branch has yet to establish an ATM machine or safety deposit boxes at its newest branch, and Kerby said they’re not likely to bring those to the Demopolis branch until they settle into a permanent location here.

The Demopolis branch marks the bank’s fourth office with locations in Sweet Water, Thomasville and Linden.

“I like the way Sweet Water Bank operates,” Kerby said. “There’s more to people than credit quality. That’s important but there’s more to it. Sweet Water Bank is like banking was in the old days. It’s as modern here as it is anywhere else with computers and online banking; it’s the way you deal with your customers. The old way isn’t always necessarily out-dated.”