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First Freedom Sponsors Christmas Business After Hours

First Freedom was honored to be a sponsor and to attend the Putnam County Christmas After Hours that the Cookeville – Putnam County Chamber of Commerce holds annually. This was the last Chamber event of the year and closed out 2025 with festive fun and networking opportunities. The dress code was “classy Christmas,” and it was held at the Leslie Town Centre. We were happy we could conclude the year at this phenomenal event put on by the Chamber!

Pictured from L-R: Meleah Payne, Cookeville FSR, Abby McCann, Cookeville Personal Banker, Hannah Philpot, Cookeville Personal Banker, Kaitlyn Kovalchik, Accounting Office, and Tatum Ortlepp,  AVP & Retail Banking Sales 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 Putnam Offices, please click the buttons below!

First Freedom Supports Rehab 23 Christmas Breakfast

Rehab 23 hosted their annual Christmas Breakfast this past week, allowing members of the community to show their support for local emergency responders. Rehab 23 is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to providing support to Wilson County First Responders. This year’s guest speaker was Tyler Smith, a Forensics Analyst for the U.S. Secret Service. First Freedom was happy to co-sponsor and attend this year’s breakfast. Rehab 23 accepts donations through their website or drop off can be arranged with the organization.

Pictured Above from L – R: Meagan Brown, Lebanon Personal Banker, Denise Bingham, VP and Providence Office Manager, Jim Carrol, President of Rehab 23, Tyler Smith, Network Intrusion Forensics Analyst, U.S. Secret Service, and Tatum Ortlepp, AVP and Retail Banking Sales Manager.


To discover more about First Freedom Bank and our involvement in the community, please use the buttons below.

      First Freedom Supports Christmas for All

With Christmas around the corner, First Freedom Bank is proud to show their support for underprivileged children by participating in the Wilson County Christmas for All. This organization provides Christmas toys to children up to 13 years old. Wilson County Christmas for All receives unwavering support from the Wilson County Department of Human Services and the Lebanon Fire Department who continue to make this happen every year since 1993. The program receives generous support from the Lebanon Fire Department Toy Drive, the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots, and many local businesses, churches, and individuals who donate toys or sponsor children by purchasing gifts directly for them! 

Pictured Above from L-R: Blair Fry, AVP and Credit Analyst, Meagan Brown, Personal Banker at Lebanon Office, Tatum Ortlepp, AVP and Retail Banking Sales Manager, Helen Green, Administrative Assistant.

Throughout the year, volunteers purchase and collect toys to prepare for the holiday season. In late October, the toys are moved from storage to a designated warehouse. There, volunteers sort and organize them by category to make shopping for each child’s gifts easier.

Pictured Below L-R: Allie Thomas, FSR at Lebanon Office, Holly Wolfe, Senior Personal Banker at Lebanon Office.


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

First Freedom Supports FCA Fundraiser

First Freedom Bank sponsored a table at the annual Wilson County Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) fundraiser. Formerly an evening banquet, it was converted to a breakfast event this year, with Darryl Strawberry, former New York Met, as the keynote speaker.

In attendance, from left to right, was Sarah Poss, First VP and Director of Retail Banking, John Bradshaw, President / COO & CLO, Helen Green, Administrative Assistant, Li Tisha Jobe, Lebanon FSR II, Tatum Ortlepp, AVP and Retail Banking Sales Manager, Trey Watkins, Providence Personal Banker, and John Hawkins, VP / Specialized Lending and FCA Board Member.


First Freedom Bank’s first office and headquarters opened in Lebanon, Tennessee, in 2006. We are a true community bank: of our more than 1,000 initial investors, more than 98% were from Middle Tennessee. Since then, the bank has expanded to six offices across three counties. We continue to invest in our communities, as evidenced by our regular support of the Wilson County FCA’s annual banquet fundraiser. To learn more about our main office in Lebanon, or to read more about our bank’s beginnings and mission, click the links below.

First Freedom Bank Sponsors MJ Chamber Golf Tournament

The Mt. Juliet Chamber of Commerce held its annual golf tournament at Pine Creek Golf Course, and First Freedom was happy to sponsor a team and host a hospitality tent for the event. Proceeds from the tournament benefit the chamber.

Pictured above, left to right: Ashley Montgomery, Mt. Juliet Office Manager & Vice President, Sarah Poss, First Vice President & Director of Retail Banking, Trey Watkins, Providence Personal Banker

Pictured below left to right: Ian Isbell, Sam Stradley, Philip Vance, First Vice President & Relationship Manager, Ryan Woodall, Vice President & Relationship Manager


First Freedom Bank’s headquarters opened in Middle Tennessee in 2006. We are a true community bank: of our more than 1,000 initial investors, more than 98% were locally sourced. Since then, the bank has expanded to six offices across three counties. To learn more about our presence in the Mt. Juliet community, click the buttons below.

First Freedom Joins Gear Up Collegiate Tailgate

Gear up collegiate table 2025

Last week First Freedom attended the Gear Up Collegiate Tailgate at Jackson County High School. Local businesses were invited to attend and share information about the respective jobs to Jackson County Highschool Students. First Freedom hosted a tent and answered questions and provided information about the different career paths in the banking industry. First Freedom also donated a financial literacy door prize.  We want to thank JCHS for the invitation and for putting on this great event!

Pictured is Sara Beth Kinnaird, Gainesboro Senior Personal Banker.


First Freedom Bank has been a part of the Jackson County community since the acquisition of our Upper Cumberland Offices in 2016. Since that time, we have made it a top priority to be engaged in and to support local organizations. To learn more about our Gainesboro Office or read more about our involvement in the Jackson County community, click the buttons below.

First Freedom Participates in Chamber Golf Tournament

For the 25th year in a row the Lebanon-Wilson County Chamber of Commerce held The Dr. Cary Harbrecht Memorial Golf Tournament at Five Oaks Golf & Country Club in Lebanon. First Freedom was happy to support the annual tournament with a hospitality tent and a hole sponsorship. The proceeds raised for the event go to the Lebanon Wilson County Chamber of Commerce. Our team had such a great time competing in the tournament!

Pictured above is our team and hospitality tent staff, Phillip Vance, First VP and Relationship Manager, Sarah Ensey, Mt. Juliet Personal Banker, Tatum Ortlepp, AVP and Retail Banking Sales Manager, J.B. Owens, EVP and Director of Commercial Banking, John Bradshaw, President/COO & CLO, and Ryan Woodall, VP and Relationship Manager.

Pictured below is Jaylah Griffin, Lebanon FSR, and Sarah Ensey, also at our hospitality tent.


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 interactive buttons below.

First Freedom a Casa de Moda Sponsor

First Freedom Bank was proud to once again sponsor a table at the annual Casa de Moda fashion show this past Thursday. Each year the show is complimented by a theme and the table sponsors choose how to incorporate it into their table designs. This year the theme was “decades,” and we chose to represent the 90’s!

The First Freedom Table

Local boutiques not only participated in the fashion show but also hosted booths in which attendees could shop what they saw on the runway. A portion of the boutique’s sales were donated to Wilson County CASA. We were so happy to be there and show our support!

In attendance to represent the bank was Kaitlin Wattenbarger, Providence Personal Banker, Ashley Montgomery, Vice President and Mt. Juliet Office Manager, Olivia, Shelia Ferrell, Senior Vice President and Managerial Lender, Sarah Poss, First Vice President and Director of Retail Banking, Blake Smith, Accounting Clerk, Maliea Oakley, Senior Vice President and HR Director, Tatum Ortlepp, Assistant Vice President and  Retail Banking Sales Manager, and Christy Trammel, Administrative Assistant.


To learn more about our community involvement and stay connected with upcoming events, please follow us on social media using the icons below.

First Freedom Bank Celebrates with Cedar Seniors

We love celebrating our seniors here at First Freedom Bank and we had such a wonderful time hosting an ice cream event at Cedar Seniors in Lebanon in honor of National Senior Citizens Day. It was a great turn out and we loved seeing such happy faces. We are thankful to Cedar Seniors for letting us visit and bring some sweet treats to commemorate the day with them!

Pictured left to right is Blake Smith, Accounting Clerk, Ken Nelson Sr., and Tatum Ortlepp, AVP & Retail Banking Sales Manager.


First Freedom Bank values the opportunity to contribute to meaningful initiatives that serve our communities. Check out what else we’ve been up by clicking Community News, or read what others have to say about us by clicking Customer Testimonials.

First Freedom Supports Tennessee FFA

The 10th Annual FFA Ham breakfast was held on Monday, the18th at the Wilson County Expo Center. First Freedom was happy to sponsor a table and support the event. The proceeds from the breakfast went to the Tennessee FFA Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports FFA students in middle and high schools. This year, the country style ham sold for an impressive $35,000!

First Freedom Bank was not only proud to be a sponsor but to also be in attendance for breakfast this year. We have been a long-time supporter of FFA and understand the important role it has in students’ agricultural and leadership development.

Pictured from L-R: J.B Owens, EVP and Director of Commercial Banking, Ryan Woodall, VP & Relationship Manager, Shelia Ferrell, SVP and Managerial Lender, John Lancaster, Chairman & CEO, Maliea Oakley, SVP & Director of HR, and Sarah Poss, First VP & Director of Retail Banking.


Our bank had its start in Wilson County in 2006 and our headquarters remains 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 the legacy of our communities, we’d welcome the opportunity to serve you. Click the buttons below to learn about the personal and business checking accounts we offer.