Commercial Bank's legacy began with the dreams and ambitions of its founder, the late E. Oscar Robertson. In 1976, he opened for business in Harrogate, Tennessee where the bank headquarters remains today. Robertson was a prominent and respected banker in Tennessee and Kentucky who made significant contributions to the banking industry and was devoted to the employees, customers and the communities he served. He began with a small bank in Appalachia and steered its steady, regional growth until his passing in 2004.
From the first branch that opened in Speedwell, Tennessee in 1979 to the opening of four new branches in January 2018, Commercial Bank has grown to include 27 offices in East Tennessee and Southeast Kentucky as well as a Loan Production Office in Nashville, Tennessee. Our experiences have shaped our character. Through drastic changes in technology and the economy, we have remained strong and continue to serve long-term relationships with our customers, clients, and communities.
Milestones
2018
January 2 – Commercial Bank opened a branch at 225 W. 1st N Street, in Morristown, Tennessee. This full-service branch became the first location opened in the Morristown area along with the acquired Citizens Bank branch. The three former Citizens Bank branches, in New Tazewell, Harrogate, and Morristown, opened as Commercial Bank branches.
2018
January 1 – The former Citizens Bank officially became part of the Commercial Bank family.
2017
August 15 – It was announced that Commercial Bank had plans to purchase Citizens Bank with its three branch locations in New Tazewell, Harrogate, Morristown, and a loan production office in Kingsport, Tennessee. This acquisition would make Commercial Bank the twelfth largest community bank in the state of Tennessee with assets approaching $1.2 billion.
2017
May 1 – Commercial Bank opened a branch at 1140 Cumberland Falls Highway in Corbin, Kentucky. This full-service branch became the second location opened in the Corbin area.
2016
April 18 – The former National Bank of Tennessee branches in Newport officially became part of the Commercial Bank family.
2016
January 21 – It was announced that Commercial Bank had purchased National Bank of Tennessee, headquartered in Newport, Tennessee. This purchase added two new branches to our network and made Commercial Bank the seventh largest community bank in the state of Tennessee with our assets approaching the $1 billion mark.
2015
July 1 – Grand opening of the Johnson City branch.
2014
March 1 – Commercial Bank opened a Loan Production Office in Nashville, Tennessee.
2012
January 27 – The small Pineville branch located inside the Pic Pac grocery store closed. Pic Pac branch customers are now served by the full-service Pineville branch located on nearby Tennessee Avenue.
2010
June 2010 – Commercial Bank grew once again with the acquisition of Monarch Mortgage, which was an affiliate of Coldwell Banker Wallace & Wallace, one of Knoxville's largest real estate firms with a staff of 16 loan officers (eventually closed in January 2014).
2009
August 3 – Commercial Bank opened at 1072 East Stone Drive, in Kingsport, Tennessee. The bank was able to purchase the brand-new facility of an unopened bank. This full-service branch replaced the downtown Loan Production Office.
2008
September 8 – Commercial Bank officially added five new branches and increased assets to over $712 million by the end of the year. The former Union National Bank branches reopened as Commercial Bank branches — four in Barbourville and one in Corbin, Kentucky.
2008
January 7 – Commercial Bank announced the opening of a Commercial Loan Production Office in Kingsport, Tennessee. A lender and a loan administrator staffed the office space downtown. The bank had already been serving several loan customers in the Tri-Cities.
2007
June 15 – The Courthouse Branch, situated beside the Union County Courthouse in Maynardville, Tennessee, closed and the building was sold to the Union County government for much-needed office space.
2006
December 1 – Commercial Bank completed construction of a full-service bank in Pineville, Kentucky and opened the doors for business while continuing operation of its existing Pineville Branch at Long's Pic Pac.
2005
November 29 – Commercial Bank celebrated the opening of a branch in Harlan, Kentucky.
2002
March 18 – Commercial Bank opened its West Knoxville Office at 10413 Kingston Pike.
2001
November 1 – Commercial Bank acquired Middlesboro Federal Bank with their four offices located in Middlesboro, Pineville, and Cumberland, Kentucky, and in the Fountain City community of Knox County, Tennessee.
1998
May 4 – The second Knox County location was opened in Powell, Tennessee.
1995
May 1 – Commercial Bank opened its first branch in Knox County, Tennessee in Halls.
1986
April 23 – Commercial Bank of Claiborne County purchased Union County Bank by acquisition from the FDIC. This purchase brought three new locations, two in Maynardville and one in Luttrell. The bank's name was changed to reflect the expansion of operations.
1982
November 8 – A second branch opened in New Tazewell, Tennessee.
1979
January 8 – Commercial Bank of Claiborne County opened its first branch in Speedwell, Tennessee.
1977
November 1 – The newly constructed Commercial Bank main office in Harrogate, Tennessee, was completed and opened.
1976
November 1 – Commercial Bank opened for business in a mobile unit that served as a temporary office while the permanent location was being built.
1976
June 9 – Founded by E. Oscar Robertson, Commercial Bank of Claiborne County was chartered by the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions to operate as a full-service bank.