Look Ahead: Mission Statement | Our History | Core Values
Board of Directors | Leadership Team
Mission Statement
The focus of our corporate existence is based on socially conscious ideals – we are a financial institution that provides assistance to low- to moderate-income and minority groups to enable them to realize their economic dreams.
History
“Oldest continuously operating minority owned and operated bank in the U.S. ”
1904 – The One Cent Savings Bank, now Citizens Savings Bank and Trust Company, became the first minority-owned bank in Tennessee. Citizen’s Bank was founded on the principal of creating opportunities for African Americans to build wealth and economic security.On January 16, 1904, the vision of three prominent Nashvillians: R.H. Boyd, Preston Taylor, and J.C. Napier came to fruition.
1929 – 1959 – Citizens survives the Great Depression and in 1946 reaches $1M in capital and deposits. The bank becomes a leader in investing in the growth of historically Black faith-based and nonprofit organizations.
1969 – 1979 – The bank reaches $5M in deposits and becomes a central presence in the North Nashville community during the Civil Rights Movement. As the neighborhood faces blight from a contentious interstate development, Citizens continues to invest in the redevelopment of Nashville’s Black communities.
2006 – The bank opens its Memphis branch. In the 2007 financial crisis, the Black community lost 50% of its wealth. Citizens was able to continue to invest in Black communities and stabilize operations to weather the storm.
2020 –2021-Today, Citizens Bank is a privately owned company with approximately $100 million in assets. The bank is a Certified Development Financial Institution (CDFI) – a certification given to mission-driven financial institutions dedicated to expanding economic opportunity to economically disadvantaged individuals and underserved communities by providing access to financial products and services to local residents and businesses.
As a CDFI, Citizens Bank puts its communities first and values local economic growth. It does so by investing in areas underserved by the traditional banking sector, engaging in lending that supports affordable housing, small businesses and community facilities, and providing technical financial assistance to its customers. Throughout the years, the bank has continued to focus on opportunities to build financial literacy and provide the tools for communities to build, grow and reinvest wealth. As a community-minded bank, the focus is on offering products and services that enable customers to fulfill their personal dreams and grow their businesses. As the nation faces challenging times, Citizens continues to be a trusted community resource and partner for clients and communities in navigating a path forward.
Core Values
Integrity – Our decisions and actions are based on the highest moral and ethical standards.
Respect – Guided by the “Golden Rule”, we treat everyone with whom we interact in the same manner as we would like to be treated – with dignity, fairness and compassion.
Service – We provide exceptional service to all customers (external and internal) by delivering the financial solutions they need, by responding to their requests and inquiries promptly and accurately, and by exhibiting sincere empathy and patience.
Accountability – We accept full responsibility for our action or inaction regardless of personal consequence. We complete our assigned tasks and meet the expectations set by customers, co-workers, and equally as important, by ourselves.
Profitability – Generating a profit enables us to fulfill our Mission and build a strong, solid foundation for continued existence and future growth. Our economic success is shared by all our constituencies – our customers, our employees, our stockholders, and the communities in which we operate.
Board of Directors
Atty. Richard Manson, Chairman
Mr. Paul Luter, Vice Chairman
Mr. Sergio Ora
Dr. LaDonna Boyd
Bishop Joseph W. Walker III
Mr. James R. Schmitz
Mr. Aole Ansari
Dr. Laquita Stribling
Leadership Team
Sergio S. Ora, Chief Executive Officer
Sergio S. Ora serves as President & Chief Executive of Citizens Savings Bank & Trust Company and of the bank’s holding company 0 CSB&T Bancorp. Mr. Ora joined the bank as Chief Credit Officer in April 2018. He was appointed to serve as Interim President & CEO in June 2018 and was appointed to serve as permanent President & CEO in September 2018.
Corey Hammonds, Chief Credit Officer
Experienced financial leader, community activist, and entrepreneur with deep roots in the Nashville community. Corey currently serves as Chief Credit Officer for Citizens Bank and has been instrumental in shaping the banks optimization processes to position the institution for growth.
Jeff W. McGruder II, Chief Relationship Officer
Proven finance leader with vast experience in capital raising, community investment and client relationship management. Jeff is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and has an MBA from Trevecca Nazarene University. Jeff has championed the cause of building wealth and access to resources across the black community through several civic and nonprofit leadership roles.
Kandace Harris, Vice President of Retail Banking
Recognized as Nashville’s Top 30 Under 30 leaders, Kandace is a collaborative leader with experience in identifying, developing, and maintaining strategic relationships and passionate about providing educational, technical, and financial opportunities to underserved communities. As Vice President of Retail Banking, Harris holds responsibility for daily operations of full-service branch offices in Nashville and Memphis, including consumer lending, product sales, and customer service.
Clint Story, Vice President of Business Relations
Clint Story is Vice President-Business Relations and manages a portfolio of commercial clients in Middle and West Tennessee. Clint has consistently recognized and met the financial needs of small businesses, non-profit companies, churches, and government entities. Additionally, he is very passionate about providing Financial Education, especially in Low to Moderate income communities.
Joan Fleming, Vice President of Residential Lending and Community Development
Joan Fleming-Ridley serves as Vice President of Residential Lending and Community Development. She is an industry leader- finding ways to produce results through her expertise, commitment and relationships. Joan has a passion for delivering value and benefit to her clients with an enthusiastic and friendly attitude. It is her commitment to serve the underserved by being an advocate for affordable housing and financial literacy. Her “thinking outside the box” mentality allows her to develop programs to ensure everyone can build wealth through homeownership. (NMLS # 187638)
