Tag: First Freedom Bank

First Freedom’s Sarah Poss Graduates Banking School

Written by Sarah Poss on August 9, 2024. Posted in Bank News, Press Releases.

First Freedom Bank is proud to announce that Sarah Poss, Vice President and Director of Retail Banking, has graduated from The Southeastern School of Banking in Nashville.

Held on the campus of Belmont University, this 70-hour program provides a comprehensive education in general banking studies. Spanning across two years, students participate in on-site learning, a virtual banking simulation, and home studies. The Southeastern School boasts a long legacy of banking education, having been established in 1939. Its curriculum focuses on critical baking functions, developing analytical skills, and honing management techniques.

Poss has more than nine years of banking experience. She joined First Freedom in 2015 as a Financial Services Representative and rapidly progressed through the retail side of the bank. She has also gained a valuable background in bank operations where she is credited with establishing our branch audit program and online account-opening capabilities, in addition to serving as a BSA analyst.

Poss earned a B.S in Anthropology from Middle Tennessee State University. She is currently pursuing her MBA through Tennessee Tech University. Professionally, Poss has completed the Tennessee Bankers Association’s Branch Leadership Series.

Rooted in Our Community

At First Freedom Bank, we’re as committed to the legacy of our communities as you are. We’ve started businesses and raised families, built homes, and made memories – right here. Our hopes and dreams, like yours, are rooted our communities. None are bigger supporters of this mission than our leadership team. Click the button below to learn more about who makes up that team.

Interested in what First Freedom can offer you with your checking account? Check out our personal checking conveniences with the button below.

Our Leadership Team

Personal Checking Conveniences

First Freedom Welcomes Sycamore Students Back to School

Written by Sarah Poss on August 2, 2024. Posted in Bank News, Community Involvement.

First Freedom Bank hosted a table at Sycamore Elementary School’s back-to-school bash. This annual event is intended to help transition students into the new school year and to give them an opportunity to meet or reacquaint themselves with teachers and staff. Local businesses are invited to host tables to give out goodies to the kids and their families.

First Freedom has been a proud adopter of Sycamore Elementary School since 2016.

Pictured from left to right is Holly Cox, Cookeville FSR, and Rachel Honaker, Putnam County Market Manager.

Becoming a part of the Putnam County community has become a highlight in our bank’s history. We’ve enjoyed getting to know our customers here and building lasting relationship and connections. Being an adopter for Sycamore Elementary School is a great example of the deep commitment we have to the community in this area. For more information on the Cookeville office, or to learn about the personal checking accounts we offer, click the buttons below.

Cookeville Office

Personal Checking Accounts

Honaker to Lead First Freedom in Putnam County

Written by Sarah Poss on August 1, 2024. Posted in Bank News, New Hires/Promotions, Press Releases.

Rachel Honaker has been promoted to Putnam County Market Manager, announced John Lancaster, Chairman and CEO.

Rachel began her career with First Freedom in 2021 as a Personal Banker at the Cookeville Office. She received multiple promotions, ultimately serving as the Algood Office Manager. Under Rachel’s leadership, the Algood office experienced tremendous growth and outperformed many First Freedom Offices in key metrics. With this promotion to Putnam County Market Manager, Rachel will oversee the operations of both the Cookeville and Algood offices, representing $120 million in customer deposits.

“Rachel is an outstanding young banker and very deserving of this critical position,” stated Lancaster. She understands that top-shelf service is our brand, and that local decision-making and community commitment is key to our success.”

Rachel has a B.S in Business Administration / Finance from Tennessee Tech, as well as several years of prior experience in the financial industry. She is currently completing the Retail Banking Leadership Series through Tennessee Bankers Association.

Having attended college and having worked for several years in the area, she is at home in Putnam County and prioritizes being an active member of the community. Rachel currently serves on the Administrative Office Technology Advisory Board for TCAT-Livingston and is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

First Freedom joined the Putnam County community in 2016, where we continue our legacy as an independent, community-focused, full service bank. Learn more about our two Putnam County offices by clicking the buttons below.

Cookeville Office

Algood Office

First Freedom Sponsors FCA Golf Tournament

Written by Sarah Poss on July 29, 2024. Posted in Bank News, Community Involvement.

First Freedom was a hole sponsor for the annual Fellowship of Christian Athlete golf tournament, held at the Pine Creek Golf Course in Mt. Juliet. John Hawkins, Vice President — Specialized Lending at First Freedom, serves on the FCA Board.

Pictured is John Hawkins with Tim Bryant, Wilson County FCA Director.

Want to Learn More About Wilson County FCA?

For more information about Wilson County’s local chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, you can click here to visit their website.

Experience the Difference a Community Bank Can Make.

First Freedom Bank is an independent, community focused, full-service bank with offices in Lebanon, Mt. Juliet, Cookeville, Algood, and Gainesboro, Tennessee.

Learn About Personal Checking Accounts

Learn About Personal Conveniences

Employee Spotlight: Hannah Philpot

Written by Sarah Poss on July 3, 2024. Posted in Bank News.

Our Employee Spotlight features Hannah Philpot, the Financial Services (FSR) Manager at our Algood Office. Hannah is fresh to her current role, having just been promoted this summer, but is a familiar face in our Putnam County market. She began working part-time at the bank and quickly transitioned into a full-time team member. If you visit our Algood Office, you will find Hannah with a smile on her face and a cheerful greeting. If she doesn’t know you by name already, she soon will because, to her, our customers are also part of the First Freedom family! Here’s what we discovered about Hannah in her interview,

First Freedom Sponsors Event Benefiting WEMA

Written by Sarah Poss on May 31, 2024. Posted in Bank News, Sponsorships/Community.

First Freedom sponsored Leadership Wilson’s Cornhole Tournament. The tournament was a fundraising effort for the Wilson County Emergency Management Agency (WEMA). With the proceeds raised, the 11 WEMA stations throughout the county received a six-month supply of bottled water and a new set of cornhole boards each.

Pictured are the members of the First Freedom team, from left to right, Ryan Woodall, AVP and Relationship Manager, and Phillip Vance, VP and Relationship Manager.

First Freedom Donates to Share to Care Fundraiser

Written by Sarah Poss on May 30, 2024. Posted in Bank News, Sponsorships/Community.

First Freedom donated to the Share to Care Foundation’s annual “Stuff the Bus” fundraiser. Proceeds raised through the fundraiser benefit Jackson County students and teachers. Held at the end of June in Gainesboro’s historic downtown, the event includes food, music, an art auction, and a firework show.

Pictured is Kyleigh Heady, Gainesboro Senior FSR, and Rebecca Birman, Gainesboro FSR Manager, presenting the donation to the Share to Care Foundation founder, Cassandra Kessler.

First Freedom a Sponsor for Student Athlete Award Event

Written by Sarah Poss on May 20, 2024. Posted in Bank News, Community Involvement, Sponsorships/Community.

First Freedom Bank sponsored lunch for the Lebanon Wilson County Chamber of Commerce’s Best All-Around Student Athlete of the Year Awards Luncheon. Eligible nominees were one male and one female from each high school in Wilson County that were selected by their Athletic Director, Coach, or Principal. These nominees were chosen for their excellence in both academics and athletics. If chosen as the final recipients, the students received a scholarship to the school of their choice.

This year’s scholarship award recipients were Sophia Beverly Allen of Green Hill High School and Jackson Thomas Allen of Wilson Central high School.

Pictured from left to right is Tatum Ortlepp, Retail Banking Sales Manager, Shelia Ferrell, Senior Vice President and Managerial Lender, Colton Dowell, keynote speaker and Tennessee Titans Wide Receiver, Phillip Vance, Vice President and Managerial Lender and Division Vice Chair of the Wilson County Sports Council, and J.B. Owens, Executive Vice President and Director of Commercial Banking.

First Freedom Donates to Algood Library Program

Written by Sarah Poss on May 17, 2024. Posted in Bank News, Community Involvement.

In support of the Algood Library’s summer reading program, First Freedom bank donated goody bags to be given to program participants. As it is Older American’s Month, the library is using this as their focus for May.

Pictured from left to right is Teola Ragland, Algood FSR Manager / Personal Banker and Rochelle Turner, Algood Branch Library Manager.

First Freedom Sponsors Jackson County 4-H Contest

Written by Sarah Poss on May 3, 2024. Posted in Bank News, Community Contests.

First Freedom Bank was again a sponsor for the Jackson County 4-H’s annual Piggy Bank contest. Students that participated in the contest created their own piggy bank and the winners received a cash prize.

Pictured, center, is Kyleigh Heady, Gainesboro Senior FSR, with the two contest winners, Trinity Buck, left, and Ava Stafford, right.