Skip to main content
FDIC FDIC-Insured - Backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government

Tag: Wilson County

Wilson County includes First Freedom Bank’s Lebanon Office.

First Freedom a Sponsor for Lebanon Chamber Golf Tournament

First Freedom Bank was a sponsor for the 26th annual Lebanon Chamber Golf Tournament this week. We hosted a hospitality tent and had a team participate in the tournament. It was great time on the green, and we were honored to support the chamber at this event!

Pictured above L-R: Phillip Vance, First VP and, Relationship Manager, and Lebanon Wilson County Chamber Chairman of the Board, John Bradshaw, President, COO, and CLO, J.B. Owens, EVP, and Director of Commercial Banking, and Ryan Woodall, VP and, Relationship Manager.

Pictured below L-R: Tatum Ortlepp, AVP and, Retail Banking Sales Manager, Anna Rich, Lebanon Senior FSR, and Holly Wolfe, Lebanon Senior Personal Banker, and Digital Banking Specialist.


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 chamber’s golf tournament. 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 Sponsors CASA

First Freedom Bank was a Platinum Sponsor for Wilson County CASA’s annual fashion show fundraiser held at the Wilson County Expo Center.  For the first time, the event included a live auction alongside its longstanding tradition of boutique booths, and there was no shortage of support for this wonderful event.  All proceeds raised go directly to CASA, ensuring they can continue to advocate for and support children in our community.

Pictured above Front L – R: Denise Bingham, Vice President and Providence Office Manager, Helen Green, Administrative Assistant, Meagan Brown, Senior Personal Banker and Personal Banker Training Coordinator, Kayla Ring, Vice President and Construction Manager. Back L – R: Sarah Ensey, Mt. Juliet Personal Banker, Brooke Weldy, Assistant Vice President and Mt. Juliet Office Manager, Shelia Ferrell, Senior Vice President and Managerial Lender, Blake Smith, Accounting Clerk


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!

First Freedom Bank Named Top 10 Bank in Tennessee

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.

First Freedom Supports Tennessee FFA

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.

First Freedom a Sponsor for Student Athlete Award

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!

First Freedom Sponsors Wilson Books from Birth Fundraiser

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!

First Freedom Hosts Fraud Bingo with Cedar Seniors

In honor of April being recognized as National Financial Literacy Month, First Freedom hosted a Fraud Bingo Day at Cedar Seniors this past week. Fraud Bingo educates players on the different types of financial fraud to better prepare them for real-life scenarios. For more financial educational programs from the American Bankers Association, click here!

Cedar Seniors, Inc. is located in Lebanon and provides community meals and activities for local senior citizens.

Pictured above, from left to right, is Blake Smith, Accounting Clerk, Tatum Ortlepp, AVP and Retail Sales Manager, and Ken Nelson Sr., President of Cedar Seniors. Pictured below are Fraud Bingo winners.


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 community blogs, click the links below.

First Freedom Raises Funds for United Way

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.

First Freedom Serves Lunch at LSCC

This week we volunteered to serve lunch at the Lebanon Senior Citizens Center, which serves Monday through Friday for both curbside and sit down. As we celebrate our 20-year anniversary, we continue to be committed to giving back to the community that has helped us along the way. Keep a lookout to see how we give back to the community next!

The Lebanon Senior Citizens Center was founded in 2001, and as been a vital resource for connection and support to its members. First Freedom has been a long-time supporter of the Center as the monthly birthday sponsor.  We are thankful for all the fun times we have had the opportunity to continue be involved with them.

Pictured Left-Right: Shelia Ferrell, Senior Vice President, Blake Smith, Accounting Clerk, Tatum Ortlepp, Assistant Vice President and Retail Banking Sales Manager, and Helen Green, Administrative Assistant


For two decades First Freedom Bank has valued 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 Lebanon Senior Citizens Center Valentine’s Gala

The Lebanon Senior Citizens Center is a non-profit community center for the aging population of Wilson County and surrounding communities. Every year they host their Valentine’s Gala, held at The Mill in Lebanon. It is their biggest fundraiser of the year, and they hold a live auction during the dinner, as well as a silent auction throughout the event. This is the center’s 47th year of service. All funds raised at this event help the senior center maintain affordable daily meals for senior citizens and support the wide variety of educational and entertaining programs and activities offered each day. We were happy to be in participation, and to support this amazing event!

Picture above at the First Freedom table is Denise Bingham, Assistant Vice President & Providence Office Manager, with her husband Todd Bingham, and guests.


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