First Community Bank
Celebrates Centennial
Small regional bank makes a name for itself among the larger institutions wanting to support children’s programming,” In celebration of its 100th anniversary, said Nancy Anlage, program and special First Community Bank could have events coordinator for the Mobile Public launched a year-long feel-good marketing Library. “They have been with us all the way.” campaign focusing on its long-standing As part of its centennial, First legacy in Washington County, its entrée into Community hosted a reading contest for the Mobile area market, and what the children in Chatom this summer, with future holds for the bank. And for a bank more than 100 participating. And in with more than $335 million in assets, it Mobile, First Community is supporting might have been well received. author Stephanie Tolan’s daylong visit here But that’s not First Community Bank. for school-aged children in both public and Instead, it launched a humorous campaign private schools. featuring two plastic dinosaur characters as In the last decade, Davis said the bank part of the bank’s ongoing brand of being has contributed around $500,000 to support “un-big” in a market flooded with big different community events and projects, all banks. It’s truly untraditional marketing for designed to build community awareness of a bank, which is just how bank President First Community, and to support legacy and CEO Glen Davis likes it. projects that have a direct impact on the “We have to differentiate ourselves from families living in southwest Alabama. the others,” said Davis. And the marketing Davis said the long-term plan is for First campaign created by Red Square Agency, First Community Bank President/CEO Glen Davis (left) shares a handshake with Community to maintain and grow its Chairman of the Board Stanley Moore, as Board Member Susan Turner finishes the employed by the bank since 2003, is working. first cut of the bank’s 100th anniversary cake following an August luncheon for presence in southwest Alabama, and for the Assets have more than doubled since 2001, directors and shareholders. bank to retain its ownership and presence and the company’s local market share is right where it is today. growing. So how does a bank that Davis describes in 1999 and Cottage Hill Road in 2002. “In 2002 as we were opening West as “small” avoid some of the pitfalls many Regional, First Community came to us Today, First Community has 10 offices and of their big brothers are facing now? Davis ATMs in Mobile, Baldwin and Washington thinks a decision made in 1984 should be counties. credited for turning First Community Bank Davis said the company’s market niche in the right direction. is in small-to-medium commercial carpe diem Before 1984, First Community Bank had customers, as well as an enhanced retail all of its roots in Washington County, presence in the local market. The bank has located just north of Mobile County. At the encountered some challenges as the time, a group of shareholders wanted national economy experiences a recession, to move in the Mobile yet Davis said there is County market and very little exposure in sought to purchase an We want the flexibility its loan portfolio. In already established fact, the bank made a to do what we branch, Davis said. decision earlier this They wanted a bank year to apply for TARP need to do without in Mount Vernon, and money, and it was First Alabama Bank more government approved. Davis said sold First Community the shareholders regulations. that location with the then decided First Printing with us ensures a agreement they’d also Community was winning game plan. purchase the Citronelle branch. strong enough not to take part in the No fumbles involved. Stakeholders agreed, and today the federal stimulus program. He was proud of Citronelle location has been First this decision. Community’s most successful branch in the “Our bank has enough governmental last decade. influence,” he said. “We want the flexibility The bank’s core remains in Washington to do what we need to do without more County, said Davis. First Community was government regulations.” started in Chatom in 1909 as Chatom State Some of that flexibility includes the Bank. It became First Community about the community programs First Community time the bank began moving into the Mobile supports. And for the bank, and its 97 market. employees, literacy projects remains a top As the Mount Vernon and Citronelle priority. The bank has been an active locations became more successful, First supporter of the Mobile Public Library – At the Loop | 251.476.4643 | mh3printing.com Community opened a Saraland office in specifically its West Regional branch and 1998, followed by one in Zeigler Circle the Washington County Public Library – for (Zeigler Boulevard and Schillinger Road) many years. MH3 football ad.indd 1
Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
8/31/09 5:18:45 PM
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The Business View | 10.09
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