CLEARWATER, Fla. — Nicholas Financial announced Wednesday that it has opened two new branch offices. The new facilities are in Morrow, Ga., and Fort Wayne, Ind.

The office in Morrow is Nicholas Financial's fifth branch in the greater Atlanta metropolitan area, while the Fort Wayne location is the company's third office in Indiana.

The two new offices expand Nicholas Financial's branch network to 54 locations in 12 states.

"The opening of our fifth branch location in the greater Atlanta market is exciting and emphasizes the company's commitment to controlled growth," said Doug Marohn, senior vice president of branch operations. "Having multiple branch operations in our larger markets affords us the opportunities of scale and increased market share.

"We are also very excited to establish our first office in Fort Wayne, which is a new market for our company," he continued. "Since the beginning of fiscal 2011, we have announced the opening of four branch locations, including the new Fort Wayne and Morrow offices. It is the intent of the company to continue to grow our branch network as aggressively as markets and personnel allow."

The company will host its annual shareholders meeting at Innisbrook Golf Resort in Palm Harbor, Fla., on Aug. 11 at 10 a.m.