How We Got Here

A Home Federal History

Over 100 Years Home Federal Bank Logo

Banking on Knoxville

In 1924, a handful of businessmen that founded the Home Building and Loan Association (now called Home Federal Bank) had one goal in mind: Create more homeowners. Their belief was that homeowners stabilized and improved the community. In other words - they had a stake in the future of Knoxville. For over 100 years East Tennessee and Home Federal have grown together. And while we have grown from a relatively tiny $500,000 in assets to a bank boasting more than $2 billion, we have never outgrown East Tennessee.

Community Investment

We were founded on a simple philosophy: invest in your community, and your community will invest in you. As we have continued to grow, so has our ability to give back.
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The future is bright for our region, and all of us at Home Federal Bank stand ready to meet the banking needs of our community now and for years to come.

David Reynolds, Chairman and CEO

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

1984

Investment Financial Services established

1985

Trust Division established

1996

400 employees

2008

23 branches

2010

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

2012

Began contributing more than $1 million per year to local community causes

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.

2019

Built Cedar Bluff Mortgage Office

2020

Built the 30th Habitat For Humanity house

2023

Grand opening at Junior Achievement - Biz Town

2024

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 January 1, 2025
Jonathan W. Mayfield
January 1, 2025 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 January 1, 2025
David J. Reynolds
January 1, 2025 to Present
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