About Us

Mission

Statement

The focus of our corporate existence is based on socially conscious ideals – we are a financial institution that provides assistance to low- to moderate-income and minority groups to enable them to realize their economic dreams.

Mission Statement

The focus of our corporate existence is based on socially conscious ideals – we are a financial institution that provides assistance to low- to moderate-income and minority groups to enable them to realize their economic dreams.

a woman sitting at a table

About

Who We Are

As a CDFI, Citizens Bank puts its communities first and values local economic growth. It does so by investing in areas underserved by the traditional banking sector, engaging in lending that supports affordable housing, small businesses and community facilities, and providing technical financial assistance to its customers. Throughout the years, the bank has continued to focus on opportunities to build financial literacy and provide the tools for communities to build, grow and reinvest wealth. As a community-minded bank, the focus is on offering products and services that enable customers to fulfill their personal dreams and grow their businesses. As the nation faces challenging times, Citizens continues to be a trusted community resource and partner for clients and communities in navigating a path forward.

a woman sitting at a table

About

Who We Are

As a CDFI, Citizens Bank puts its communities first and values local economic growth. It does so by investing in areas underserved by the traditional banking sector, engaging in lending that supports affordable housing, small businesses and community facilities, and providing technical financial assistance to its customers. Throughout the years, the bank has continued to focus on opportunities to build financial literacy and provide the tools for communities to build, grow and reinvest wealth. As a community-minded bank, the focus is on offering products and services that enable customers to fulfill their personal dreams and grow their businesses. As the nation faces challenging times, Citizens continues to be a trusted community resource and partner for clients and communities in navigating a path forward.

Our Core Values

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Integrity

Our decisions and actions are based on the highest moral and ethical standards.

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Respect

Guided by the “Golden Rule”, we treat everyone with whom we interact in the same manner as we would like to be treated – with dignity, fairness and compassion.

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Service

We provide exceptional service to all customers (external and internal) by delivering the financial solutions they need, by responding to their requests and inquiries promptly and accurately, and by exhibiting sincere empathy and patience.

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Accountability

We accept full responsibility for our action or inaction regardless of personal consequence. We complete our assigned tasks and meet the expectations set by customers, co-workers, and equally as important, by ourselves.

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Profitability

Generating a profit enables us to fulfill our Mission and build a strong, solid foundation for continued existence and future growth. Our economic success is shared by all our constituencies – our customers, our employees, our stockholders, and the communities in which we operate.

Our Core Values

Icon

Integrity

Our decisions and actions are based on the highest moral and ethical standards.

Icon

Respect

Guided by the “Golden Rule”, we treat everyone with whom we interact in the same manner as we would like to be treated – with dignity, fairness and compassion.

Icon

Service

We provide exceptional service to all customers (external and internal) by delivering the financial solutions they need, by responding to their requests and inquiries promptly and accurately, and by exhibiting sincere empathy and patience.

Icon

Accountability

We accept full responsibility for our action or inaction regardless of personal consequence. We complete our assigned tasks and meet the expectations set by customers, co-workers, and equally as important, by ourselves.

Icon

Profitability

Generating a profit enables us to fulfill our Mission and build a strong, solid foundation for continued existence and future growth. Our economic success is shared by all our constituencies – our customers, our employees, our stockholders, and the communities in which we operate.

Story

Our History

“Oldest continuously operating minority owned and operated bank in the U.S. ”

Timeline

1904

1904

The One Cent Savings Bank, now Citizens Savings Bank and Trust Company, became the first minority-owned bank in Tennessee. Citizen’s Bank was founded on the principal of creating opportunities for African Americans to build wealth and economic security.On January 16, 1904, the vision of three prominent Nashvillians: R.H. Boyd, Preston Taylor, and J.C. Napier came to fruition.

1929 – 1959

1929 – 1959

Citizens survives the Great Depression and in 1946 reaches $1M in capital and deposits. The bank becomes a leader in investing in the growth of historically Black faith-based and nonprofit organizations.

1969 – 1979

1969 – 1979

The bank reaches $5M in deposits and becomes a central presence in the North Nashville community during the Civil Rights Movement. As the neighborhood faces blight from a contentious interstate development, Citizens continues to invest in the redevelopment of Nashville’s Black communities.

2006

2006

The bank opens its Memphis branch. In the 2007 financial crisis, the Black community lost 50% of its wealth. Citizens was able to continue to invest in Black communities and stabilize operations to weather the storm.

2020 – 2021

2020 – 2021

Today, Citizens Bank is a privately owned company with approximately $100 million in assets. The bank is a Certified Development Financial Institution (CDFI) – a certification given to mission-driven financial institutions dedicated to expanding economic opportunity to economically disadvantaged individuals and underserved communities by providing access to financial products and services to local residents and businesses.

Team

Board of Directors

  • Atty. Richard Manson, Chairman
  • Mr. Paul Luter, Vice Chairman
  • Mr. Sergio Ora
  • Dr. LaDonna Boyd
  • Mr. Charles Sueing
  • Ms. Jacky Akbari
  • Bishop Joseph W. Walker III
  • Mr. James R. Schmitz
  • Mr. Aole Ansari
  • Dr. Laquita Stribling
  • Ms. Julie Lilliston

Team

Board of Directors

  • Atty. Richard Manson, Chairman
  • Mr. Paul Luter, Vice Chairman
  • Mr. Sergio Ora
  • Dr. LaDonna Boyd
  • Mr. Charles Sueing
  • Ms. Jacky Akbari
  • Bishop Joseph W. Walker III
  • Mr. James R. Schmitz
  • Mr. Aole Ansari
  • Dr. Laquita Stribling
  • Ms. Julie Lilliston

Leadership Team

a man wearing a suit and tie
Chief Executive Officer

Sergio S. Ora
a man wearing a suit and tie
Chief Operating/Credit Officer

Corey Hammonds
a man wearing a suit and tie smiling at the camera
Chief Relationship Officer

Jeff W. McGruder II
a man wearing a suit and tie smiling at the camera
Vice President of Business Relations

Clint Story
a woman in a blue shirt
Vice President of Residential Lending and Community Development

Joan Fleming
a woman smiling for the camera
Vice President of Retail Banking

Brittany Mizell
Chief Executive Officer

Sergio S. Ora

Sergio S. Ora serves as President & Chief Executive of Citizens Savings Bank & Trust Company and of the bank’s holding company, CSB&T Bancorp.  Mr. Ora joined the bank as Chief Credit Officer in April 2018.  He was appointed to serve as Interim President & CEO in June 2018 and was appointed to serve as permanent President & CEO in September 2018.

Chief Operating/Credit Officer

Corey Hammonds

Experienced financial leader, community activist, and entrepreneur with deep roots in the Nashville community.  Corey currently serves as Chief Operating/Credit Officer for Citizens Bank and has been instrumental in shaping the banks optimization processes to position the institution for growth.

Chief Relationship Officer

Jeff W. McGruder II

Proven finance leader with vast experience in capital raising, community investment and client relationship management.  Jeff is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and has an MBA from Trevecca Nazarene University.  Jeff has championed the cause of building wealth and access to resources across the black community through several civic and nonprofit leadership roles.

Vice President of Business Relations

Clint Story

Clint Story is Vice President-Business Relations and manages a portfolio of commercial clients in Middle and West Tennessee. Clint has consistently recognized and met the financial needs of small businesses, non-profit companies, churches, and government entities.  Additionally, he is very passionate about providing Financial Education, especially in Low to Moderate income communities.

Vice President of Residential Lending and Community Development

Joan Fleming

Joan Fleming-Ridley serves as Vice President of Residential Lending and Community Development. She is an industry leader- finding ways to produce results through her expertise, commitment and relationships. Joan has a passion for delivering value and benefit to her clients with an enthusiastic and friendly attitude. It is her commitment to serve the underserved by being an advocate for affordable housing and financial literacy. Her “thinking outside the box” mentality allows her to develop programs to ensure everyone can build wealth through homeownership. (NMLS # 187638)

Vice President of Retail Banking

Brittany Mizell

Leadership Team

a man wearing a suit and tie
Chief Executive Officer

Sergio S. Ora
a man wearing a suit and tie
Chief Operating/Credit Officer

Corey Hammonds
a man wearing a suit and tie smiling at the camera
Chief Relationship Officer

Jeff W. McGruder II
a man wearing a suit and tie smiling at the camera
Vice President of Business Relations

Clint Story
a woman in a blue shirt
Vice President of Residential Lending and Community Development

Joan Fleming
a woman smiling for the camera
Vice President of Retail Banking

Brittany Mizell
Chief Executive Officer

Sergio S. Ora

Sergio S. Ora serves as President & Chief Executive of Citizens Savings Bank & Trust Company and of the bank’s holding company, CSB&T Bancorp.  Mr. Ora joined the bank as Chief Credit Officer in April 2018.  He was appointed to serve as Interim President & CEO in June 2018 and was appointed to serve as permanent President & CEO in September 2018.

Chief Operating/Credit Officer

Corey Hammonds

Experienced financial leader, community activist, and entrepreneur with deep roots in the Nashville community.  Corey currently serves as Chief Operating/Credit Officer for Citizens Bank and has been instrumental in shaping the banks optimization processes to position the institution for growth.

Chief Relationship Officer

Jeff W. McGruder II

Proven finance leader with vast experience in capital raising, community investment and client relationship management.  Jeff is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and has an MBA from Trevecca Nazarene University.  Jeff has championed the cause of building wealth and access to resources across the black community through several civic and nonprofit leadership roles.

Vice President of Business Relations

Clint Story

Clint Story is Vice President-Business Relations and manages a portfolio of commercial clients in Middle and West Tennessee. Clint has consistently recognized and met the financial needs of small businesses, non-profit companies, churches, and government entities.  Additionally, he is very passionate about providing Financial Education, especially in Low to Moderate income communities.

Vice President of Residential Lending and Community Development

Joan Fleming

Joan Fleming-Ridley serves as Vice President of Residential Lending and Community Development. She is an industry leader- finding ways to produce results through her expertise, commitment and relationships. Joan has a passion for delivering value and benefit to her clients with an enthusiastic and friendly attitude. It is her commitment to serve the underserved by being an advocate for affordable housing and financial literacy. Her “thinking outside the box” mentality allows her to develop programs to ensure everyone can build wealth through homeownership. (NMLS # 187638)

Vice President of Retail Banking

Brittany Mizell

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