Independent Banker - February 2019 - 44

residential building projects, entrepreneurs hanging out
shingles and corporations expanding. But with opportunity
comes challenges, too. As Nashville's national profi le
rises, more banks have-understandably-wanted to be
part of that growth. National banks have entered the
market, many by acquisition. In January 2018, JPMorgan
Chase announced it was expanding into 400 high-growth
markets. Music City is one of them.
And community banks are working to leverage their
strengths and thrive in the face of that new competition.
" About 15 to 20 years ago, all the talk was about
Nashville. Now it is all about the region, embracing
the region, and that feels more sustainable, " says John
McDearman, president of $2.5 billion-asset Wilson
Bank and Trust. " For a growing city, we've held on to
" For a growing city, we've held
on to the sense of community,
and the region is embracing
small entrepreneurship. "
-John McDearman,
Wilson Bank and Trust
the sense of community, and the region is embracing
small entrepreneurship. "
Not just names in lights
Community banks have the advantage of being staff ed by
locals who know the market. The entertainment, music
and sports sectors aren't the main focus at Landmark
Community Bank, but they are some of the industries the
$934.6 million-asset community bank serves. " A lot of
banks come in [from other cities] and try to do that, but
they just don't understand it, " says Amy Delk, senior vice
president and Williamson County executive for Landmark
Community Bank.
" We're one of the few banks on Music Row anymore, "
agrees Landmark Community Bank senior vice president
and city executive John Morrissey, speaking of the streets
that have traditionally housed the offi ces of major record
labels and recording studios. Landmark is headquartered
in Memphis, Tenn., and now has branches in three
towns in Williamson County, as well as on Music Row in
Nashville. " It gives us some credibility, " Morrissey says. He
has lived his entire life in the region, which gives him some
perspective on its changes.
Jim Rieniets, president and CEO of $500 million-asset
InsBank, echoes the sentiments of his community banking
peers. " We want to participate in the prosperity in our
Nashville's banking scene
has had so many ups and
downs it could be, well,
a country song. Here's
a look at some of the
highlights.
1883: American National
Bank launches. It
eventually becomes First
American National Bank.
1920s: After World War I,
Nashville is known as the
Wall Street of the South,
a title that may now be
worn by Charlotte, N.C.,
or Atlanta.
1975: First American
becomes the first
Nashville bank to exceed
$1 billion in deposits. First
American, First National
and Commerce Union are
considered the big three
of Nashville banking in
the 1960s and 1970s.
The home of First American National
Bank, shown here in 1973, was built in
1926 to the personal tastes of James E.
Caldwell, once a president of the bank.
44 Q ICBA Independent Banker Q February 2019
1985: The Nashville
Business Journal estimates
that 70-80 percent of
deposits are controlled by
banks in the city.
Independent Banker - February 2019

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