The robbery occurred at a Regions Bank branch in Athens just before noon Thursday, the Athens Banner-Herald reported.

"You took my house, now I'm going to take your money," the robber told the teller as he pointed a gun at her, Police Capt. Clarence Holeman said.

Holeman said that the FBI, which is investigating the robbery, would probably check bank records. Bank officials said they could not remember anyone who had been especially upset about losing a house.

Witnesses said the man was middle-aged and 5 foot, 9 inches to 6 feet tall. He took off the mask after leaving the bank, revealing sandy blonde hair.

A man who had been sitting in his truck filling out a deposit slip followed him but lost him when he entered a driveway a few blocks away.