FirstBank Branches Into West Alabama With Downtown Tuscaloosa Ribbon-Cutting

A southeastern bank branching into West Alabama for the first time celebrated its new location in downtown Tuscaloosa on Thursday with a packed-out ribbon-cutting ceremony.

As the Thread reported last month, FirstBank has moved into 2700 Capital Park, a mixed-use apartment complex featuring lofts that overlook the River District downtown.

The almost 120-year-old bank boasts around 100 locations in Tennessee, North Alabama, Kentucky, and Georgia, and manages roughly $16 billion in total assets.

Ambassadors from the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama braved light rain and could hear soundchecks from Thursday night's Pitbull show at the Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater as they welcomed FirstBank to the city.

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Market President Chuck Bracknell introduced his team of bankers and said that as the new branch grows, so will its staff.

"We're here to make the quality of life better in Tuscaloosa and our community in West Alabama," Bracknell said. "We're looking forward to hopefully doubling the size of this team in the near future, and we're ready to serve."

The ribbon-cutting was led by Habitat for Humanity's Romel Gibson and featured Chamber CEO Kyle South, the city of Tuscaloosa's Economic Development Coordinator Liz Benda, and Councilman Joe Eatmon. Chamber Board Member and restaurateur Jehovanni Gomez was also there to welcome FirstBank downtown, just a few blocks away from one of his Jalapenos locations.

"Chuck is not only a great friend but a great banker, too," Gomez said. "On behalf of the board of directors, we're excited for you, and we welcome you to our community."

FirstBank also announced its first philanthropy partner, the Tuscaloosa Angels, a nonprofit organization that supports foster families in West Alabama. The new downtown branch is having a diapers-and-wipes donation drive on behalf of the organization.

The full-service bank branch is now open, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more coverage of business development news in West Alabama, stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread.