Blue Ridge Holdings, Inc., Parent Company of CertusBank(SM), Announces Acquisition of Broker-Dealer Sage Southeastern Securities, Inc.

GREENVILLE, S.C., Oct. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Ridge Holdings Inc., the parent company of CertusBank, announced that it has reached an agreement to purchase Sage Southeastern Securities, Inc., a registered broker-dealer out of Atlanta, GA. The new broker dealer will carry the name of Certus Capital, Inc.

The acquisition enables CertusBank to offer its customers a complete suite of wealth management products and services. Through an expanded network of Certified Financial Planners® and Investment Advisors, customers will be provided personalized advice to define and achieve their life goals.

The bank will leverage a customer centric approach to core services:

• Financial Planning
• Trust and Estate Planning
• Retirement and Investment Advisory Services
• Insurance Products and Services

This acquisition will provide customers with access to a comprehensive array of processing services and technology solutions for use within CertusBank's Wealth Management division.

"We are excited about being a part of Blue Ridge and leveraging our strengths in fulfilling the support needs for the wealth management business of the bank," said Thomas M. Johnson, III, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Compliance Officer for Sage Southeastern Securities, Inc.

Sage Southeastern Securities, Inc. will be integrated with CertusBank's wealth management division, based in Charlotte, NC, led by CertusBank Wealth Management Executive, Bob Hogan. The company will continue to service the needs of both Sage Southeastern and CertusBank customers throughout the Carolinas, Georgia and northern Florida.

"The acquisition of Sage Southeastern Securities represents an excellent strategic fit for us, and we are excited about the opportunity to provide our clients with such a broad offering of wealth management products and services to help them grow, manage and preserve their wealth," said Charlie Williams, Vice Chairman of CertusBank and Blue Ridge Holdings, Inc. "The purchase also reinforces our commitment to our core goal of providing market leading financial solutions."

The terms of the transaction are subject to regulatory approval. The acquisition is expected to close in the third quarter of 2011.

For more information on CertusBank, visit www.certusbank.com.

About CertusBank

CertusBank is committed to providing certainty and strength in the financial lives of its customers. A financial services company focused on building a strong, sustainable, best-in-class banking franchise centered on exceptional customer service, CertusBank currently operates 32 offices in South Carolina, Georgia and northern Florida and has $1.8 billion in assets. Learn more about CertusBank by going to www.certusbank.com.

SOURCE Blue Ridge Holdings Inc.