FirstBank Has Stayed True to its Community Roots
A customer-centric, community-specific focus is central to the bank’s culture.
Sponsored by: FirstBank
Creating a better way to bank has been FirstBank’s mission since its inception in 1906.
Although it is now one of the largest financial institutions headquartered in Tennessee, the bank has stayed true to its community roots, where decision-making remains local.
That customer-centric, community-specific focus is central to the bank’s culture.
When Founder and Board Chair Jim Ayers launched the company by acquiring Farmers State Bank in 1984, it was with the belief that all banking should have the familiarity found in that small, rural bank in Scotts Hill, TN, that has served its neighbors for more than a century.
“Most people want to do business with a bank that wants to do business with them and shows them that,†Ayers explains. “I think that’s what makes us different, relationship-building and really caring about our customers – going that extra mile.”
Ayers adds that those strong relationships extend to associates and the cities they serve.
FirstBank manages more than $6 billion in assets across more than 80 locations in Tennessee, Kentucky, North Alabama and North Georgia.
“We know we need good people, and good people have choices,†he says of creating a culture that values work-life balance and encourages and empowers associates to act on behalf of their customers and communities. “I want FirstBank to have the reputation of being the most philanthropic organization that spends more time, more energy, effort and money being a good corporate citizen.”
