Ralph Smith, Chattanooga Market president, FNCB Loan Production Office
Laurice Tatum, president and chief executive officer of First National Community Bank, Thursday announced that the Georgia-based bank has opened a Loan Production Office in Chattanooga, at 6031 Shallowford Road, Suite 107.
Veteran loan professional Ralph Smith will oversee operations at the LPO as Chattanooga Market president. Mr. Smith comes to the position after most recently serving as senior vice president and senior lending officer at the bank. He brings to area business owners more than three decades of banking experience and will be joined by a mortgage loan officer, yet to be determined. The LPO/Mortgage Office officially opened Sept. 1.
“As part of our senior management team, Ralph was responsible for our Loan Operations and support staff, while also serving as a Loan Officer, too,” Tatum said. “And over time, his experience in other areas of the bank will serve him well as he settles in Chattanooga.”
Among the loan types that the bank’s Chattanooga LPO will offer includes: commercial term loans, commercial working capital, commercial lines of credit, business expansion, small business administration 7aSBA and 504 loans, consumer real estate construction, home equity line of credit, first and second mortgages and non-owner occupied loans, new and used auto/vehicle loans, personal loans, and overdraft lines of credit.
In addition to commercial and consumer loan offerings, the LPO’s mortgage lender, with a comprehensive support staff in Dalton, will be able to provide: conventional long-term mortgages, adjustable rate mortgages, interest-only mortgages, first time homebuyers program, 100 percent financing programs and FHA, VA, bridge loans and loan pre-qualification.
Mr. Smith noted that his line of commercial loan products offered fixed or variable rates, flexible terms and either predictable monthly payments or lump sum options.
“What we are bringing to Chattanooga is a large measure of true community banking,” said Mr. Smith. “For our customers, that means a faster response, a relationship-based loan resource, local loan decisions and impeccable loan service. We will not operate like a large regional bank does.”
Those interested in discussing a business or personal loan may contact Mr. Smith at 398-2301. “We look forward to establishing our brand of banking and loan service to friends old and new,” he said. “We’re here to make a difference.”