UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 31, 2009

HERITAGE FINANCIAL GROUP
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

United States

000-51305

45-0479535

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

(Commission File

Number)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

721 North Westover Boulevard, Albany, Georgia 31707
(Address of principal executive offices)

(229) 420-0000
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code

Not Applicable
(Former Name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

⃞ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

⃞ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

⃞ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

⃞ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

On December 31, 2009, HeritageBank of the South (“Heritage”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Heritage Financial Group, completed the previously announced Purchase and Assumption Agreement with Atlantic Coast Federal Bank (“Atlantic”) providing for Heritage’s acquisition of the Lake City, Florida, branch of Atlantic located at 463 West Duval Street, Lake City, Florida 32055. In the transaction, Heritage purchased approximately $10 million in loans, the real and personal property of the branch, and assumed approximately $41 million in deposits. This transaction included the payment of a 1% deposit premium.

On January 4, 2010, Heritage Financial Group issued a press release announcing the completion of the acquisition. The full text of the press release is set forth in Exhibit 99 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference herein.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

		HERITAGE FINANCIAL GROUP


Date:	January 4, 2010	By:	/s/ T. Heath Fountain
			T. Heath Fountain
			Senior Vice President and
			Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit

Number

Description of Exhibit(s)

Copy of press release issued by the Company on January 4, 2010

(d)	Exhibits.

	99	Press Release dated January 4, 2010