Exhibit 99

           Heritage Financial Enters Florida with New Branch in Ocala


    ALBANY, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 6, 2006--Heritage Financial
Group (NASDAQ: HBOS), the mid-tier holding company for HeritageBank of
the South, today announced that the Company has opened its first
branch in Florida, selecting the Ocala market as the entry point for
its planned expansion into the state.
    Commenting on the Company's announcement, Leonard Dorminey,
President and Chief Executive Officer of Heritage Financial Group,
said, "We are excited to bring our style of community banking to
Florida and the city of Ocala. Florida, which is expected to be one of
the fastest growing states over the next 10 years, is in our view one
of the nation's most attractive markets for banking. We think it's a
natural extension for our business in Georgia, and we were impressed
by the market analysis for Ocala/Marion County as we finalized our
site selection. We are pleased to be here and look forward to
establishing a strong and growing relationship with our new
neighbors."
    The new branch for HeritageBank of the South is located in Ocala
at the Triple Crown Plaza on State Road 200 at 11100 SW 93rd Court
Road, Suite 8. The Company has purchased property for a permanent
location on State Road 200, one mile west of I-75. The new
4,400-square-foot branch, expected to open in mid-2007, will feature
three drive-through lanes, a drive-up ATM, a night depository, and
safe deposit boxes.
    In connection with the Company's entry into Florida, Dorminey
announced the addition of several key management members to lead the
new region. John N. Kirk, a 16-year veteran of the banking and
financial industry, has been appointed Regional President. Gary L.
Platt, a long-time resident of Ocala with 38 years of banking
experience, has joined HeritageBank of the South as Senior Vice
President and commercial lender. Austin W. Long, Sr., who has 24 years
of experience in branch management, has been named Vice President and
branch manager.
    "We are fortunate to have assembled a capable and experienced team
to manage our new operations in Ocala," Dorminey added. "John, Gary
and Austin bring tremendous depth to their positions and are expected
to be instrumental to our growth in Ocala and the region as we
continue to explore and evaluate opportunities for further expansion."
    Heritage Financial Group is the mid-tier holding company for
HeritageBank of the South, a community-oriented bank with roots
extending to 1955. HeritageBank of the South primarily serves Albany,
Georgia, and surrounding Dougherty, Lee and Worth counties in Georgia
through six full-service banking offices, in addition to the new
branch in Ocala.
    As of June 30, 2006, Heritage Financial Group reported total
assets of approximately $381 million and total stockholders' equity of
approximately $68 million. For more information about the Company,
visit HeritageBank of the South on the Web at www.eheritagebank.com,
and see Investor Relations under About Us.
    Heritage, MHC, a mutual holding company formed in 2002, holds
approximately 70% of the shares of Heritage Financial Group. The
remaining 30% of Heritage Financial Group's shares are held by public
stockholders following the Company's June 2005 initial public
offering.

    Except for historical information contained herein, the matters
included in this news release and other information in the Company's
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission may contain
certain "forward-looking statements," within the meaning of Section
27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. We intend such
forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions
for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities
Reform Act of 1995 and include this statement for purposes of these
safe harbor provisions. Further information concerning the Company and
its business, including additional factors that could materially
affect our financial results, is included in our other filings with
the SEC.


    CONTACT: Heritage Financial Group
             T. Heath Fountain, 229-878-3370