<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM GOLDEN ISLES
FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC. UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE
PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                       2,842,120
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                         126,849
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                             6,040,000
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                 22,549,819
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                               0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                 0
<LOANS>                                     83,634,862
<ALLOWANCE>                                  1,360,659
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             120,483,744
<DEPOSITS>                                  98,848,596
<SHORT-TERM>                                   611,671
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                          1,502,809
<LONG-TERM>                                  6,105,165
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     1,094,338
<OTHER-SE>                                  12,321,165
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>             120,414,356
<INTEREST-LOAN>                              7,511,762
<INTEREST-INVEST>                            1,140,126
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                     0
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                             8,651,888
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                           3,660,066
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           4,352,021
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                        4,299,867
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                   76,857
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                   0
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                              3,371,510
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              1,766,017
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                   1,766,017
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 1,092,557
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .46
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .46
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    5.08
<LOANS-NON>                                    686,082
<LOANS-PAST>                                       539
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                               865,801
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                              2,517,909
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                             1,512,953
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                  480,659
<RECOVERIES>                                   251,508
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                            1,360,659
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                           882,635
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                        478,024
        

</TABLE>