Two customer-oriented banking veterans have joined First National Bank of Middle Tennessee to fill key roles in the bank's new branch at 3427 Memorial which will open this spring.

Colleen Clary will serve as branch manager at the new facility directly across from VA Hospital, and Patty James will be client service representative.

"As we grow the First National Bank of Middle Tennessee footprint in the Murfreesboro/Rutherford County market, we are excited to announce the addition of two well- known, experienced banking professionals to the staff of our new branch who are champions at providing community banking the way it used to be," Brian Wilcox, executive vice president who oversees Rutherford County operations for First National Bank, said.

The new, 5,400-sqaure-foot branch will have 8-10 employees, offering depository products, safe deposit boxes, commercial lending, mortgage lending and consumer lending.

Clary and James will be joined by FNB Mortgage loan officers Bill Fuson and Karen Milligan who will relocate from current Murfreesboro locations, and Kim Stice, a loan officer, currently working from the bank's branch at 1708 Gateway Boulevard.

Additional staff announcements will be forthcoming.

Clary brings more than 10 years of management/banking experience to First National, serving as a financial advisor in her most recent position.

"I am ecstatic to be part of such a wonderful organization and to play a part in the opening of our second location here in Rutherford County. I look forward to working with our customers by providing them with exceptional customer service with our friendly staff and smiling faces. We look forward to serving you, to help you to achieve all of your financial goals," she said.

Clary is a girls' fast pitch softball coach and has participated in community events, including Relay for Life, Breast Cancer Awareness and March of Dimes.

She is a native of DeKalb County where she still currently resides with her husband David and three children, Brayden, Kobbe and Kyleigh.

James has 30 years of banking experience within the local community, having worked in bookkeeping, teller department, consumer lending and client service area opening personal and business accounts, certificate of deposit and IRA accounts.

"I am very happy to be a part of the growth we are experiencing in Rutherford County and with First National Bank. I enjoy working with community banks. They have a sincere family atmosphere with their employees and customers," she said.

James has worked with Junior League, United Way, Boys & Girls Club, Children's Advocacy Center, St. Thomas Ambassadors and Read to Succeed. She is a member of Third Baptist Church.

She and husband, David James, have three children: daughters: Lauren Pearson and Kathy. James Todd, and son: Scott James.

About First National Bank of Middle Tennessee

The third oldest bank in Tennessee, First National Bank of Middle Tennessee offers a full range of banking services. First National Bank is a member FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender.