After almost 50 years in the business, Marion Bank and Trust president W. Forrest Hatfield walked out the door for the last time Wednesday.

Employees, customers and friends gathered at the bank’s Selma branch on his final day to reflect on his long career and say goodbye.

Hatfield, who helped start the branch in Selma in February 2008, said his career has been interesting.

“I’ve seen a lot of changes in 48 years of banking,” he said.

Though he looks forward to retirement, Hatfield said it will be an adjustment.

“I’m going to miss the staff and the people,” he said. “I’ll really miss the customers too. We have a great group here.”

Upon Hatfield’s retirement, vice president Wayne Middlebrooks will step into the president’s role. It seems almost appropriate, since one of Middlebrook’s first tastes of banking came from Hatfield.

“I have worked with Forrest for 20 years,” he said.

“In fact, he taught the first banking class I was in back in 1977.”

Middlebrooks, who has 36 years of experience, has been with Marion Bank and Trust for five years.

“I started with them in Marion, and then when they opened the branch here, I came over a year later,” he said.

“I’m no stranger to Selma, so I think it will be a smooth transition.”

Though he is retiring, Hatfield said he has plenty on his plate.

“I’ll get started on my honey-do list,” he said. “I don’t have any specific plans, but I will take care of some things, play a little golf and do a little bit of traveling.

“I’m going to do whatever I want.”