COLUMBIA, Tenn. (April 22, 2019)—First Farmers and Merchants Bank––a community bank serving Middle Tennessee with 22 banking locations in seven counties––has named veteran banker Bill Nigh as its regional president and head of commercial banking. He will be responsible for continuing to grow First Farmers’ business and commercial banking lines.
Nigh, a longtime Synovus executive with more than 40 years of banking experience, served as regional CEO and the local market leader for Synovus/The Bank of Nashville from 2010 until 2017.
“Bill is a strong leader with extensive knowledge of not only our vibrant Middle Tennessee market but the evolving needs of today’s business leaders,” said T. Randy Stevens, First Farmers’ Chairman and CEO. “With his broad perspective and depth of experience, we could not be more proud to welcome him to First Farmers.”
“First Farmers exceeded all records in the bank’s history last year, and I am excited to join in advancing its vision to be known as the best community bank in Middle Tennessee,” said Nigh. “At its heart, banking remains a people business, and First Farmers is passionate about helping businesses in our region advance their goals.”
A graduate of Texas Tech University, Nigh started his banking career as a teller and advanced to vice president of commercial loans within about a decade’s time. He went on to senior leadership roles with Columbus Bank & Trust Company and Synovus before becoming COO and senior credit officer of First Commercial Bank of Huntsville. He later served as CEO for Trust One Bank in Memphis before his most recent role with Synovus.
Nigh has been involved in a number of local groups and charities, including the Tennessee Bankers Association, the Arts and Business Council of Greater Nashville, Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and Rotary International, among others.
First Farmers offers a complete array of financial services ranging from personal and business banking, to mortgage lending, treasury management, commercial banking and wealth management. For more information, please visit www.myfirstfarmers.com.
About First Farmers and Merchants Corporation and First Farmers and Merchants Bank
First Farmers and Merchants Corporation is the holding company for First Farmers and Merchants Bank, a community bank serving the Middle Tennessee area through 22 banking locations in seven Middle Tennessee counties. As of December 31, 2018, First Farmers reported total assets of approximately $1.4 billion, total shareholders’ equity of approximately $130 million, and administered trust assets of $4.9 billion. For more information about First Farmers, visit us on the web at www.myfirstfarmers.com under “Investor Relations.”
