Tag: Wilson County

Wilson County includes First Freedom Bank’s Lebanon Office.

First Freedom Participates in Chamber Golf Tournament

Written by Trey Watkins on September 12, 2025. Posted in Bank News, Community Involvement.

For the 25^th 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.

Personal Accounts

Personal Loans

First Freedom a Casa de Moda Sponsor

Written by Sarah Poss on September 9, 2025. Posted in Bank News, Community Involvement.

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!

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 at the 2025 FFA Ham Breakfast

First Freedom Supports Tennessee FFA

Written by Sarah Poss on August 22, 2025. Posted in Bank News, Community Involvement.

The 10^th 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.

Personal Checking

Business Checking

First Freedom Promotes Thompson

Written by Sarah Poss on July 30, 2025. Posted in Bank News, Press Releases.

Christy Thompson, CRCM, has been promoted to First Vice President, announces John Bradshaw, President / COO & CLO. With this promotion, Christy will continue to serve as Chief Compliance & BSA Officer.

“Christy is beyond deserving of this promotion,” said Bradshaw. “She is a pivotal part of our team thanks to her indomitable work ethic and keen discernment and insight. We could not ask for any better leadership in these departments.”

As a legacy employee who was part of the original team that launched First Freedom, Christy’s contributions have spanned multiple departments and have had wide range of positive impacts. While she will be celebrating her 20th year with our bank this coming December, her banking career spans four decades.

Christy’s hands-on bank experience is complimented by her continued education. She earned her General Banking Diploma from the American Bankers Association (ABA), she is a graduate of the Southeastern School of Banking from the Tennessee Bankers Association (TBA) and earned the prestigious Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager designation (CRCM) from the ABA. Christy is also a member of the TBA’s Chief Compliance Officer and BSA Officer Forum.

Christy has been recognized with First Freedom’s Commitment to Excellence Award, a testament to her dedication and pride in her work. Continuously active in her hometown of Lebanon, Christy is a graduate of Leadership Wilson, has volunteered with Junior Achievement and is a lifetime member of Immanual Baptist Church. She and her husband of 39 years, Mark, reside in Lebanon and have two children and three grandchildren.

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’s Montgomery Joins MJSAC Board

Written by Sarah Poss on July 24, 2025. Posted in Bank News, Community Involvement.

Ashley Montgomery, Vice President and Mt. Juliet Office Manager, has been appointed to the Mt. Juliet Senior Activity Center (MJSAC) board. In her new role, she will serve on the finance committee. Ashley has been an active supporter of the center by hosting financial literacy presentations and volunteering with MJSAC events. We are excited to see her continue her work with the center.

“I’m truly honored to join the board of MJSAC,” said Ashley. “Supporting our seniors is a cause close to my heart and I’m proud to serve an organization that enriches their lives and strengthens our community.”

The Mt. Juliet Senior Activity Center is located on North Mt. Juliet Road. They provide a place for adults 55 and older to enjoy recreational, educational, and social activities. The center promotes mental and physical wellness and endeavors to alleviate isolation by being a place for members to meet others in similar stages of life.

At First Freedom, we prioritize being a part of our community and appreciate the opportunity to serve our neighbors. For more information about our initiatives and impact, click the buttons below.

Community Involvement

Customer Testimonials

Pictured L-R is Trace Blankenship with Sarah Poss, TBA scholarship recipient.

First Freedom’s Poss TBA Washington Scholarship Recipient

Written by First Freedom Bank on May 15, 2025. Posted in Bank News, Press Releases.

First Freedom’s Sarah Poss, First Vice President and Director of Retail Banking, was the recipient of The Tennessee Banker Association’s 2025 Washington Conference Scholarship.

This scholarship is awarded to a 2024 second-year student of The Southeastern School of Banking through a partnership between The Tennessee Bankers Association Young Bankers Division and the Government Relations Committee. With this scholarship, Sarah was able to attend the TBA’s annual Washington Conference, a three-day visit to D.C. which brings bankers together with bank regulators, national banking associations, and Tennessee’s congressional delegation.

Pictured above is Trace Blankenship, TBA Government Relations and Legal Committee member and partner at Spencer Fane, with Sarah Poss. Pictured below are conference attendees on the last day of congressional visits.

Sarah Poss is a member of our leadership team in her role as retail director. Each member of that team knows the importance of keeping pace with industry changes and supporting organizations like the Tennessee Bankers Association. To learn more about others in leadership, or read more blogs on staff recognition, click the buttons below.

Leadership Team

Staff Recognition

First Freedom staff stands with MJSAC Staff for a photo

First Freedom Promotes Financial Literacy at MJSAC

Written by Sarah Poss on April 9, 2025. Posted in Bank News, Community Involvement.

First Freedom Bank recently hosted its annual financial literacy event at the Mt. Juliet Senior Activity Center (MJSAC). The event aimed to help seniors better understand essential financial topics including budgeting, fraud prevention, and money management during retirement. Attendees enjoyed a casual lunch and learn program that encouraged questions and open conversations.

Pictured at the event are Jennifer Mancuso, Mt. Juliet Personal Banker, Valissa Saindon, MJSAC Executive Director, Jennifer Pinto, MJSAC Program Coordinator, and Ashley Montgomery, VP & Mt. Juliet Office Manager. Their ongoing partnership plays a significant role in supporting the senior community through education and outreach.

To learn more about how we are celebrating Tennessee Financial Literacy Week, please click the buttons below to follow us on our social media channels!

First freedom bank employees stand holding a large check for United Way

First Freedom Participates in 2025 United Way Campaign

Written by Sarah Poss on April 8, 2025. Posted in Bank News, Community Involvement, Sponsorships/Community.

First Freedom Bank recently participated in the 2025 United Way of Wilson County and the Upper Cumberland Employee Campaign. As part of this initiative, bank employees raised $7,184, which will be distributed to several nonprofit organizations serving the Middle Tennessee and Upper Cumberland regions.

We appreciate the participation of our employees and the leadership of Ryan Woodall, MBA, VP & Relationship Manager. Ryan also serves as a Vice Chair for the United Way Board of Directors and his efforts helped coordinate our contribution to this campaign.

Pictured above are First Freedom staff with their campaign contribution check.

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!

Community Involvement

Customer Testimonials

Ashley Montgomery standing with MJPD Officers at the training

First Freedom Partners with Mt. Juliet Police Department

Written by Sarah Poss on March 24, 2025. Posted in Bank News, Community Involvement, Sponsorships/Community.

First Freedom Bank is proud to uphold its commitment to financial education through our partnership with the Mt. Juliet Police Department. This initiative has provided officers with essential financial literacy training and ongoing support to enhance their financial well-being.

As part of this collaboration, First Freedom Bank facilitated the department’s annual in-service training for officers, covering key financial literacy topics such as budgeting, saving, and credit management. This training equipped officers with the necessary knowledge to make informed financial decisions, build long-term stability, and plan for the future.

In addition to the annual training, First Freedom now conducts monthly financial literacy sessions at the police department. These sessions provide officers with direct access to financial guidance, allowing them to ask questions and receive personalized support as needed. Whether seeking advice on budgeting, credit improvement, or long-term financial planning, officers have a dedicated resource available to assist them.

Pictured at the annual training are Records Clerk Monica West, Lt. Josh Workman, Ashley Montgomery, VP & Mt. Juliet Office Manager, Sgt. Scott Fulton, and Cpl. Kyle Holtmeyer.

First Freedom Bank is dedicated to promoting financial literacy throughout our communities and strives to empower individuals with the knowledge and tools needed for long-term financial wellness. To learn more about how we can support you in reaching your financial goals, please interact with the buttons below!

Personal Conveniences

Personal Loans

Jennifer Mancuso and Miah Lamb posing with Betty Morgan.

First Freedom Volunteers at Mt. Juliet Senior Activity Center

Written by Sarah Poss on March 17, 2025. Posted in Bank News, Sponsorships/Community.

On February 28th, First Freedom Bank employees volunteered at the Mt. Juliet Senior Activity Center (MJSAC), where they served root beer floats to attendees. This event provided a great opportunity to engage with the community and express our gratitude for local seniors.

First Freedom Bank is dedicated to supporting the communities it serves and is appreciative of the Mt. Juliet Senior Activity Center for hosting this lively event. The team members had a great time connecting with everyone who came by to enjoy a float!

Pictured above are Jennifer Mancuso, Mt. Juliet Personal Banker, and Miah Lamb, Providence Personal Banker, alongside MJSAC member Betty Morgan. Additionally, Miah is depicted below serving root beer floats at the event.

Miah Lamb serving root beer floats to MJSAC Members

We are proud to engage with our community and appreciate the opportunity to serve our neighbors. For more information about our initiatives and impact, please interact with the buttons below!

Community Involvement

Customer Testimonials