High Lonesome Senate to perform at 25th anniversary celebration
April 2018 marked the 25th anniversary of First Community Bank of East Tennessee (FCB). Founded in 1993, the bank’s organizers and nearly 1,000 stockholders believed that Hawkins County and Northeast Tennessee would support a locally owned and managed financial institution. The bank was founded on the premise that individuals as well as small and medium sized businesses were underserved by large traditional banks.
The first branch opened at 809 West Main Street in downtown Rogersville. Once a car lot, the location holds special significance for Steve Waller, FCB Regional President and one of the original 12 employees of the bank. He once bought a car that was displayed in the exact spot of his current office at the West Main branch.
Now in 2018, FCB operates six locations in Rogersville, Church Hill, Kingsport, and Colonial Heights and employs 56 people. With more than $180 million in assets, First Community Bank continues to offer a complete range of financial services including savings, checking, CDs, investment services, consumer, mortgage, and commercial lending, business services, and much more.
“As our bank has grown, we have maintained our focus on customer service and on the communities in which we live and work,” said Waller. “Now 25 years later, through the efforts of our dedicated team members and board members, we’ve been able to remain a strong and stable financial resource throughout Hawkins and Sullivan Counties. Our name hasn’t changed in 25 years and neither has our mission. It’s all about the community and seeing our friends and neighbors succeed.”
FCB President and CEO Tyler Clinch echoed his sentiments. “Our philosophy of local bank decision-making and personalized service is the driving force of our business,” she said. “We are proud to be a true community bank, and thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve you these past 25 years and in the years to come.”
In celebration of this momentous occasion, First Community Bank is hosting “Music on Main,” a special night of free entertainment at the 809 West Main Street location in downtown Rogersville. The event will take place on Thursday, May 17 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. and feature High Lonesome Senate, the Walters State Community College bluegrass band. The community is invited to bring a lawn chair and join the bank for the celebration.
My Father’s Table Street Cuisine, operated by FCB “community favorite” Jackie Charles, will be selling 25 cent hot dogs as well as other items. A second food truck, Eve’s Concessions, will also be on site with funnel cakes, snowcones, fried Oreos™, kettle corn, and pork rinds. A free face painting station will be available for kids and those young at heart.
In case of inclement weather, the anniversary celebration will take place at Occasions on the Square at 101 West Main Street, Rogersville, Tenn., on the same date/ time.
