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Author: Trey Watkins

First Freedom Bank Named Top 10 Bank in Tennessee

Written by Trey Watkins on . Posted in Bank News, Press Releases.

First Freedom Bank was recently ranked as a Top 10 Performing Bank in Tennessee for Overall Bank Performance by Bank Performance Report (BPR), a national banking publication prepared quarterly that includes all commercial banks in each state.

BPR’s Q2 2026 Report ranked First Freedom Bank as the #2 bank in overall performance in Tennessee out of 109 banks. The publication ranks bank performance on a variety of factors including margin, efficiency, asset quality, and earnings.

First Freedom Bank was chartered in 2006 and is headquartered in Lebanon, Tennessee, with assets of $817 million as of June 30, 2026. They completed the second quarter in the top 20% in five of the ranking categories: Return on Equity, Non-Interest Income, Return on Assets, Non-Interest Expense, & Efficiency, making them the 2nd overall bank in the state of Tennessee.

To learn more about the Bank Performance Report and see the Top 10 banks in each state, visit, www.BPR.services.

At First Freedom Bank, we’re committed to building strong relationships and making a positive impact in our community. To learn more about our banking services and how we can help you achieve your financial goals, click the buttons below.

Personal Checking
Personal Savings

First Freedom Supports Tennessee FFA

Written by Trey Watkins on . Posted in Bank News, Community Involvement.

The 11th Annual FFA Ham Breakfast was held at the Wilson County Fair Grounds this week and First Freedom was happy to attend. All proceeds for the breakfast went to the Tennessee FFA Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit organization that funds essential FFA programs and scholarships for Middle and High School students across Tennessee. A record-breaking Grand Champion Ham Auction and the generosity of Tennessee FFA supporters helped raise a historic $250,000!

Pictured above L-R: Phillip Vance, First Vice President and Relationship Manager, John Lancaster, Chairman and CEO, Kayla Ring, Vice President and Construction Manager, Maliea Oakley, Senior Vice President and Director of Human Resources, J.B. Owens, Executive Vice President, Director of Commercial Banking, and Senior Lending Officer, Ryan Woodall, Vice President and Relationship Manager, Tatum Ortlepp, Assistant Vice President and Retail Banking Sales Manager.

Our bank had its start in Wilson County in 2006 and our headquarters remain in Lebanon to this day. We truly enjoy any chance to be out in the community and support our neighbors. If you would like to experience the difference of a local bank that is committed to the legacy of our communities, we’d welcome the opportunity to serve you. Click the buttons below to learn more about our bank and leadership team.

About
Leadership

Back to School Night at Sycamore Elementary

Written by Trey Watkins on . Posted in Bank News, Community Involvement.

First Freedom Bank was honored to participate in the back-to-school night at Sycamore Elementary School. We had lots of goody bags filled with pencils, pens, and so much more for all the parents, teachers, and students. We’re happy for the opportunity to help kick off the new school year!

Pictured above L – R: Abby McCann, Assistant Vice President and Cookeville Office Manager and Meleah Payne, Algood Financial Service Representative II

Our support for initiatives like this demonstrates our dedication to the communities we serve and the students whose compassion inspires us every day. To learn more about how we connect with our communities or to find more about our Cookeville Office, please click the buttons below!

Community Involvement
Cookeville Office

First Freedom Sponsors Let Freedom Ring Celebration

Written by Trey Watkins on . Posted in Bank News, Community Involvement.

This past Saturday, the City of Algood hosted their annual Let Freedom Ring Celebration at the Algood Ball Fields. The event has become a staple for the city and its celebration of Independence Day. Live music, food trucks and games were available for all attendees. First Freedom volunteered their time to the bounce houses, helping kids move through the line. We were honored to help celebrate and volunteer!

Pictured Above from L to R: Rebecca VanderJagt, Assistant Vice President, Cookeville Office Manager, Hannah Philpot, Algood Assistant Office Manager

Our support for initiatives like this demonstrates our dedication to the communities we serve and those whose compassion inspires us every day. To learn more about how we connect with our communities or to find more about our Putnam Offices, please click the buttons below!

Cookeville Office
Algood Office

First Freedom Field Trip Sponsor for Sycamore Elementary

Written by Trey Watkins on . Posted in Bank News, Community Involvement.

Sycamore Elementary School Choir recently went on a field trip to the Cedar Hills retirement center, and we were glad for the opportunity to sponsor again this year. The sponsorship covered meals and supplies for the children. The choir performed songs for the residents and enjoyed time outdoors.

Pictured above, left to right: Christy Smith, Sycamore Elementary Accounting Assistant, and Abby McCann, Cookeville Assistant Office Manager

Our support for initiatives like this demonstrates our dedication to the communities we serve and the students whose compassion inspires us every day. To learn more about how we connect with our communities or to find more about our Cookeville Office, please click the buttons below!

Community Involvement
Cookeville Office

First Freedom a Sponsor for Student Athlete Award

Written by Trey Watkins on . Posted in Bank News, Community Involvement.

First Freedom was a Title Sponsor for this year’s Wilson County Best All-Around Student Athlete Award.  Hosted by the Lebanon Wilson County Chamber of Commerce, this event recognizes a male and female student athlete from each Wilson County High School, then one female and one male student athlete is selected of that group to be the recipient of a $1,500 scholarship. The winners this year were Miles Fitzpatrick from Friendship Christian School and Meredith Eller from Wilson Central High School. This year’s guest speaker was Jesse Perry, Tennessee Volunteer offensive lineman.

Pictured above from L to R: Ryan Woodall, Vice President and Relationship Manager, Maliea Oakley, Senior Vice President and Director of Human Resources, Tatum Ortlepp, Assistant Vice President and Retail Banking Sales Manager, Shelia Ferrell, Senior Vice President and Managerial Lender, Jesse Perry, Tennessee Volunteers Offensive Lineman, Phillip Vance, First Vice President and Relationship Manager, J.B. Owens, Executive Vice President and Director of Commercial Banking, and John Lancaster, Chairman and CEO.

To learn more about our recent involvement in the community, click the buttons below!

Bank News
About Our Bank

First Freedom Promotes Kovalchik

Written by Trey Watkins on . Posted in Bank News, New Hires/Promotions, Press Releases.

Cookeville, TN – Kaitlyn Kovalchik has been promoted to Assistant Vice President and Controller, announces John Lancaster, Chairman and CEO. Kaitlyn joined First Freedom in 2018 as a part-time Financial Services Representative while attending Tennessee Tech. Following her graduation, she moved to full-time status and in 2022 she transferred to the accounting department. “I’m very pleased to recognize Kaitlyn with this well-deserved promotion,” stated Lancaster. “She does an excellent job and plays a critical and significant role in our company.” Kovalchik earned a BS in Business Administration with a major in Accounting from Tennessee Tech University. She graduated with a perfect 4.0 GPA and was the recipient of the W.A. Howard Award for excellence in accounting. While attending TTU, Kovalchik worked in the College of Business Student Success Center. A native of Gainesboro, Tennessee, Kovalchik currently resides in Cookeville with her husband Joshua and their dog Daisy.

We prioritize promoting from within and are always excited to have the chance to recognize a staff member’s hard work and talents. We know that our successes are only possible with a great team, and we are proud to have that. To learn more about our team’s growth and development, click the buttons below

Staff Recognition
Bank Promotions

First Freedom Sponsors Wilson Books from Birth Fundraiser

Written by Trey Watkins on . Posted in Bank News, Community Involvement.

First Freedom was a table sponsor at the annual Wilson Books from Birth Imagination Dinner, held this past week at the Farm Bureau Expo Center. Funds raised during the Imagination Dinner go toward the Books from Birth program, which provides books at no cost to children across the county. Each table chooses a theme based on a children’s book. Our theme this year was based on Full Moon Pups. We were delighted to be awarded “Most Whimsical,” which marks the third year in a row that we have received an award for our tablescape. This was a night of fun and celebration, and we are always happy to be part of it!

Pictured above from Left – Right: Trey Watkins, Senior Personal Banker and Marketing Specialist, Shelia Ferrell, Senior Vice President and Managerial Lender, Kayla Ring, Vice President and Construction Manager, Sarah Poss, First Vice President and Director of Retail Banking, Tatum Ortlepp, Assistant Vice President and Retail Banking Sales Manager, Blake Smith, Accounting Clerk, Brooke Weldy, Assistant Vice President and Mt. Juliet Office Manager.

First Freedom Bank values the opportunity to contribute to meaningful initiatives that serve our communities. To learn more about our community involvement, please click the buttons below!

Community Involvement
About Us

First Freedom Raises Funds for United Way

Written by Trey Watkins on . Posted in Bank News, Community Involvement, Sponsorships/Community.

Each year First Freedom organizes an employee campaign to raise funds for the United Way of Wilson County and Upper Cumberland. This year we raised $7,000! These proceeds will be given to different non-profits across Middle Tennessee and the Upper Cumberland. We want to thank our employees and the leadership of Ryan Woodall, MBA, VP & Relationship Manager and Chairman of the Board for United Way. We are always appreciative to support an organization that yields so many positive changes to our communities.

Pictured above is First Freedom staff presenting the donation to United Way.

We’re proud to be a part of this community and to have the opportunity to serve our neighbors and friends. To learn more about our community involvement and how we’re working to make a difference, click the buttons below.

Wilson County
Contact Us

First Freedom Plants Seeds of Support at CSAC

Written by Trey Watkins on . Posted in Bank News, Community Involvement.

As part of our 20-year anniversary initiative to give back to our local communities, several of our staff volunteered to plant the Cookeville Senior Activity Center garden beds. Staff hand tilled four raised garden beds, sowed seeds, and planted herbs. It’s rewarding to have the opportunity to give back to a wonderful organization like this, but it’s extra enjoyable when we can do so in the sun on a beautiful day!

The Cookeville Senior Activity Center has been a staple in the Cookeville community. Their mission to open opportunities and provide activities and services for the senior population of Cookeville and surrounding areas is not unnoticed. We are pleased to have this continuous relationship with them.

Pictured above from L-R: Hannah Philpot, Algood Assistant Office Manager, Taylor Chandley, Cookeville FSR, Tatum Ortlepp, Assistant Vice President and Retail Banking Sales Manager

Pictured below: Hannah and Taylor planting veggies and herbs.

We’re proud to be a part of this community and to have the opportunity to serve our neighbors and friends. To learn more about our community involvement and how we’re working to make a difference, click the buttons below.

Community News
About Us