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What began as a dream with a vision by the organizers of First Vision Bank not only became a reality, but has now celebrated two decades of service to their customers across southern middle Tennessee.

The occasion was marked by a Customer Appreciation Day last Friday at the Tullahoma headquarters on North Jackson Street.

Three employees have been with the Bank since day one. The Bank was organized by current President and CEO Mike Rowland, Chairman Emeritus Jim Penland and the late Roy Eckert. Chief Operating Officer Denise Ledford has also been with the bank since it opened in 2005.

The organizers of the bank raised capital of $16,000,000 to start the bank in 2005.  Twenty years later the bank has grown to 75 employees and $450,000,000 in assets.

First Vision Bank has weathered several national challenges over the past two decades. Within the first several months of opening the bank, the US entered the Great Recession. In response to some of the events that caused the recession, many new government regulations were put in place that significantly changed the way banks in the US do business.

There has also been significant consolidation of local banks in the past two decades. In 2005 there were 7,523 chartered banks in the US. Today there are 4,462.

According to First Vision Bank Community President Matt Layton, the bank is unique in several ways.

“We are a locally owned and operated bank and all our decisions are made locally. We have over 700 local shareholders most of whom live in Coffee or Franklin Counties. Plus, we are the only bank headquartered in Tullahoma. Our money stays here in our local communities.”

First Vision Bank Board of Directors include John Roberts, Chair, Mike Rowland, Tina Rose, Jeff Keele, Nelson Hatchett, Heather Crenshaw, Greg Vaughn, Dr. Denny Daniel and Steve Waldron.

In addition to the Tullahoma headquarters, First Vision Bank has locations in Murfreesboro, Manchester and Decherd.