TML, TMBF celebrate new partnership with FirstBank

By KATE COIL

TT&C Assistant Editor

Tennessee-based FirstBank has become the newest TML sponsor and the latest bank to join the family of lenders offering benefits to municipalities through the Tennessee Municipal Bond Fund (TMBF).  

Founded in 1909, FirstBank is the third largest Tennessee-based bank with its headquarters in Nashville. Wade Morrell, president and CEO of the Tennessee Municipal Bond Fund, said the partnership with FirstBank is a win for Tennessee cities. 

“By adding FirstBank to its list of approved lenders, the TMBF is enhancing its ability to meet the growing needs of Tennessee's municipalities,” Morrell said. “FirstBank, a community-focused financial institution with a strong presence throughout the state, brings a wealth of experience in municipal lending to the table. With a commitment to supporting local governments and fostering economic growth, FirstBank is a natural fit for the TMBF.  The partnership reinforces TMBF’s dedication to fostering growth and prosperity throughout the state.” 

FirstBank has more than 75 full-service branches across Tennessee, South Central Kentucky, Alabama and North Georgia, and a national mortgage business with offices across the Southeast. The bank serves five of the major metropolitan markets in Tennessee and, with approximately $12.6 billion in total assets, has the resources to provide a comprehensive variety of financial services and products. 

Joe Walker, senior vice president for commercial banking with FirstBank, said the partnerships with TML and TMBF help FirstBank further its own mission.  

“At FirstBank, our mission is ‘Helping people build a better future,’” Walker said. “Partnering with the Tennessee Municipal League and the Tennessee Municipal Bond Fund is a natural extension of our mission as FirstBank strives to improve the quality of life for those who live in the communities we serve.” 

Walker said FirstBank works to be an active part of the municipalities they serve. 

“We strive to invest in our communities,” he said. “As an almost 120-year-old Tennessee headquartered bank with more than 60 offices throughout the state we are uniquely positioned to understand the needs of our fellow Tennesseans and be able to provide solutions that help the many cities and towns in Tennessee flourish. Since 1906, we’ve been bringing our customers and communities closer to their dreams by building a genuinely local brand of banking. FirstBank has a long history of being involved in the cities and towns throughout Tennessee. The opportunity to be a banking resource to the local governments in the communities we serve brings our vision of being the best community bank in Tennessee full circle.” 

While FirstBank has grown into a major financial institution, Walker said maintaining trust and value on the local level is imperative. 

“FirstBank is proud to be a full-service community bank,” Walker said. “Community banking remains the cornerstone of FirstBank’s operations as we’ve expanded throughout the state and southeast region. Over the almost 120 years we have called Tennessee home; we have matured as a bank and can offer our customers a sophisticated array of banking services.  We are able to provide lending and treasury management solutions to all municipalities in Tennessee, but we’ll never lost sight of the fact that being a trusted member of the local communities we operate in is what has made us successful.” 

Morrell said FirstBank is helping to add value to the important services TMBF provides. 

 “As the TMBF loan program continues to evolve, the addition of FirstBank is just the latest example of how we are adapting to meet the needs of Tennessee’s local governments,” Morrell said. “By offering more lenders and more competitive financing options, TMBF is positioning itself as an even more valuable resource for municipalities looking to secure the funding necessary for long-term growth and success.”