Grace Media Group – NEWS/TALK 101.5 FM, 93.1 FM & 105.3 FM visited with Brian Ferrell at FirstBank for a question & answer session about the business of banking.

Question: First, a little background information. Where are you originally from, family and education?

Answer: I was born and raised in Jackson and have been here all of my life. I graduated from Liberty Tech High School in 2009. I then attended Jackson State and Bethel University  where I played baseball. I finished my education at Union, earning a Masters Degree in Business Administration.

I married my wife, Ashley in 2017. We just celebrated five years of marriage with a trip to Cancun, Mexico. She is originally from Memphis and went to Union University. I met her and eventually convinced her to marry me, and we decided to stay in Jackson. I also have two siblings – Melissa who also lives in Jackson and Brad who lives outside of Memphis. They have also blessed me with three nephews and two nieces.

Question: You mentioned you played high school baseball at Liberty and college baseball at Bethel University. What was the experience like?

Answer: I was fortunate to play on some really good teams throughout my baseball career. My senior year at Liberty, we put together one of the best seasons in school history, finishing the season 27-8.

I went on to play at Jackson State before signing with Bethel University. My senior season, we finished 30-15, won a conference championship, and were nationally ranked for much of the season. I was selected as first team All Conference, honorable mention All American, and was named Bethel’s male athlete of the year.

It was a heck of an experience, and I’ll never forget it. I made lifelong friendships through baseball and learned some lessons that have undoubtedly helped me get to where I am today.

Question: When did you decide you wanted to pursue banking as a career?

Answer: I had Tommy John (elbow) Surgery after my senior year of college and decided it was time to get a job. I didn’t know I wanted to be a banker until I got my first job as a teller. At the time, it was a job to pay the bills and get me out of my parents house.

But after having conversations with several bankers, I realized I had an opportunity to make a career out of banking. At that point, I made goals and went full speed towards getting to where I wanted to be.

I’ve been blessed with the opportunities that have been presented to me throughout my now nine year banking career.

Question: How long have you been with FirstBank, what is your role, and what attracted you to this organization?

Answer: I’ve been with FirstBank for eight years now, after spending my first year at BancorpSouth.

I started at Clayton Bank in 2014 as a credit analyst. In 2017, and FirstBank bought Clayton Bank.

I was moved into a role as branch manager. Last year I transitioned back to our Channing Way branch as a relationship manager. In this role, I am primarily responsible for originating and managing a commercial loan portfolio.

When FirstBank bought Clayton Bank, I had a chance to meet with local leadership and I immediately knew it was the right place for me. FirstBank has developed a culture that promotes growth and helping employees get on the right path for career success.

The last two years, FirstBank has been named by American Banker as one of the 90 best banks to work for in the United States. We are also the second largest bank chartered in Tennessee, so we are able to offer the most competitive products on the market while keeping a local bank business model.

FirstBank gives customers the best of both worlds.

Question: Banking, like most businesses, is ever changing. What has the climate been like at FirstBank since interest rates began to climb? Are more customers investing in certificate of deposits and how have the mortgage rate increases affected prospective home buyers?

Answer: Things on the lending side have slowed down a little bit as all banks are having to price their loans much higher than they were several months ago. At FirstBank, our mindset as a local bank has always been to get to know your customers so that you can anticipate and take care of their needs. We are all in this together. We will continue to adapt and fight alongside our customers as we have done since the pandemic began.

On the mortgage side, rate increases along with the increase in home values have had a major impact on prospective home buyers. The first-time home buyers are getting the worst end of it. If you already own a home, you’ve been able to benefit from low rates and increasing home values in the form of home equity.

If you decide to buy a new home, you can use that equity to bring your new mortgage down to a more manageable level. First-time home buyers are having to pay 30%-40% more than they would have three or four years ago, and they’re doing it at a 5%-6% interest rate. As a result, it is pushing some buyers out of the market.

Question: How is Brian Ferrell – and FirstBank – involved in the community?

Answer: As a community bank, FirstBank could not be successful without the support of the local community. As a result of our success, we are able to give back and invest in the community. We support many local nonprofits financially, but we believe in doing more than simply cutting a check. All of our Relationship Managers are heavily involved in the community and serve in leadership roles for various nonprofits.

Currently, I serve as chairman of Madison County Imagination Library. I’ve served on the board for the Boys & Girls Club for the last four years. I am a member of the Kiwanis Club of Jackson and served as President in 2021.

I have also participated in Real Men Wear Pink for the American Cancer Society for the last three years and served as chairman in 2021. I was born and raised in Jackson and am passionate about giving back to the community I am a product of.

Being in a position where I am able to make a real difference is a privilege that I take very seriously.

(PHOTO: Brian Ferrell)