How We Got Here

A Home Federal History

In 1924, one philosophy and a single goal united a few businessmen who partnered to launch the Home Building & Loan Association—what became Home Federal Bank. The philosophy was simple: Invest in your community, and your community will invest in you. The goal was to create more homeowners in the Knoxville area.

Home Federal Bank Through the Years

1924

1st location: suites at the Hotel Farragut

1945

Moved offices to Market Street

1948

Ledger card of one of the first VA loans

1953

First branch opened on Magnolia Avenue

1965

Had 70% of home loan business in Knox County

1970

100 employees

1981

15 branches: Opened locations in Anderson, Blount, and Sevier counties

1982

Commercial Banking Division established

1985

Trust Division established

1996

400 employees

2010

Trails Forever Endowment assisted major restorations to the Smokies' most iconic trails including Chimney Tops, Alum Cave Bluff, Forney Ridge, and Rainbow Falls.

2015

Built the 25th Habitat For Humanity house

2018

Parks as Classroom program enabled more than 10,000 school children to spend a day in the Smokies, many for the first time.

Presidents

Weston M. Fulton
April 23, 1924 to October 9, 1930
Joseph P. Gaut
October 9, 1930 to February 13, 1936
John T. O'Conner
February 13, 1936 to January 24, 1938
Joseph P. Gaut
January 24, 1938 to February 13, 1947
William C. Walkup
February 13, 1947 to January 6, 1977
David E. Sharp
January 6, 1977 to May 21, 1992
Dale E. Keasling
May 21, 1992 to December 31, 2015
David J. Reynolds
December 31, 2015 to Present

Founders

Henry D. Blanc
(1872-1952) President – Chavannes Lumber Co.
Henry N. Carmichael
(1882-1940) Chandler & Co.
Dan M. Chambliss
(1873-1933) President – Dan M. Chambliss Co, Inc (Kuhlman’s Drug)
David C. Chapman
(1876-1944) President – Chapman Drug Co.
Adrian I. Chavannes
(1871-1938) Vice President – Chavannes Lumber Co.
Willis P. Davis
(1859-1931) General Manager – Knoxville Iron Co. & Cross Mountain Coal
R. M. Doll
(1872-1946) Partner – Doll & Carringer Co. (Real Estate)
Weston M. Fulton
(1871-1946) President & Treasurer – Fulton Company
John T. Greene
(1883-1956) Manager – Crane Company
John S. Henry
(1862-1942) Conductor – Southern Railway
J. Leonard Jones
(1891-1955) President – Knoxville Litho Company
Cowan Rodgers
(1878-1936) Rodgers & Co. (Automobiles and Services)
William J. Savage
(1859-1946) President – W. J. Savage Co. Mill Equipment & Supplies
William Whaley
(1873-1962) Secretary/Treasurer & General Manager Myers & Whaley
Richard G. Wright
(1873-1954) Dick Wright Hardware Company

Chairmen of the Board

Joseph P. Gaut
February 13, 1936 to February 13, 1947
Henry D. Blanc
February 13, 1947 to July 10, 1952
John T. O'Conner
July 10, 1952 to January 20, 1966
Edward J Ashe
January 20, 1966 to April 11, 1968
Harold L. Ernest
April 11, 1968 to January 6, 1977
William C. Walkup
January 6, 1977 to December 31, 1982
David E. Sharp
December 31, 1982 to December 31, 2006
Dale E. Keasling
January 1, 2007 to Present
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