By Thomas Sellers Jr.
Picture of Kirk Richardson, Vice President and Loan Officer for Patriot, presenting a $1500 check to Tipton Rosemark Academy Principal Stephanie Wehrer. Kirk (as you probably know) is also a coach at TRA. 
These are pictures of Kirk Richardson, Vice President and Loan Officer for Arlington. Kirk is presenting a check to Coach Brad Smith of Arlington High School for $1,500 for Fall Athletic Programs. 
Pictured at Covington High School from left are Benton Lindsey, Vice President and Loan Officer, at South Covington Branch, Mark McClain, principal, Katrisha Glass, Athletic Director, Susan Sampson, BSA Officer and Branch Manager, at Covington Square Branch. 
Picture from left are Bill Samisch, senior credit officer of Patriot Bank, Jeff Curtis, district athletic director of Collierville Schools and Charles Brasfield, vice president Patriot Bank.
The turn of the millennium has signal the birth and massive growth of Patriot Bank in West Tennessee.
The formula of quality customer service, hard work and community involvement has grown the bank into a leader in finances throughout the area.
The business born in 2001 is now helping several local schools navigate the treacherous roads of 2020 during a global pandemic. Supporting education and varsity athletics for several years, it was natural for Patriot Bank to develop a program specificity to assist the needs of various area high schools during the COVID-19 crisis.
“Mr. Larry Jackson, President of Patriot Bank, proposed the idea in mid-August as students returned to school and the fate of fall sports remained uncertain,” said Tina M. Walker, CTP, Chief Operations Officer of Patriot Bank. “With a heart for the communities where we serve, Mr. Jackson was concerned about the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on fall athletic programs.”
All the Patriot Banks across the area got on board with Jackson’s plan.
“As a banker, he knew the lost revenue, caused by limited participation, declines in gate revenue, fewer concessions, and reductions fan participation, would definitely affect the schools ability to pay for sport activities,” Walker said. “As well as new expenses for safety measures required by COVID-19. So he reached out to Charles Ennis, Chairman and CEO, and the Patriot Management Team to see if Patriot could lend a little extra support. The suggestion was overwhelming embraced because of the impact on students, athletes, coaches, teachers, and just families in general.”
Throughout September leaders of the Patriot Bank team made trips to eight different high schools to present checks for $1,500 each. Patriot Bank employees like Jackson, Lillie Stollings, Kirk Richardson, Benton Lindsey and Susan Sampson made trips to Covington High School, Brighton High School, Munford High School, Millington Central High School, Collierville High School, Bolton High School, Arlington High School and Tipton-Rosemark Academy.
“Giving is a tangible way can really make a difference in these days of uncertainty where funding is tight,” Walker said. “Because athletic programs have a clear benefit in teaching life lessons and instilling character, Patriot considers these dollars a very good investment. These programs contribute to the overall vibrancy of local communities.”
Patriot Bank has been investing in the communities it calls home since 2001. In October 2001, the bank opened in Millington and eventually spread from Shelby County to Tipton and Fayette counties. Patriot Bank was voted 2020 Millington Star Readers’ Choice Business of the Year. In addition CEO Charles Ennis was selected Man of the Year by the readers.
Now with multiple full service locations, Patriot Bank offers a wide range of consumer and commercial accounts and a mortgage division. To map out the bank, you can visit Patriot Bank in Millington, Collierville and Barretville in Shelby County. Up the road in Tipton County, there are locations in Covington and Atoka.
Patriot Bank also has many convenient services such as ATMs and debit cards, telephone banking and free online banking and bill pay. While offering a variety of competitive financial products, it’s Patriot Bank’s personalized and professional customer service that sets the bank apart. Complete customer satisfaction is the goal of both management and employees, and Patriot Bank. Patriot Bank’s slogan is “Down home Banking the Way It Should Be.”
“Charles Ennis put it this way, ‘In these changing times, we all have a role to play and we can play,’” Walker concluded. “’And grow together by using every opportunity to create a better future. May it be our best season ever – stay safe.’”
