Founded in 1894, we are a locally owned community bank serving East Tennessee for over 100 years. Welcome to our Official page! Equal Housing Lender.
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First Century is a locally owned community bank serving East Tennessee for over 100 years. For more information on our bank, please visit us at our website at www.firstcenturybank.com
Member FDIC. We reserve the right to remove anything that we believe violates our guidelines. We also reserve the right to temporarily or permanently block users and/or hide their posts if they are repeatedly inappr
opriate. Keep the following guidelines in mind as you engage with First Century on Facebook. BE FRIENDLY. We can maintain a level of civility and mutual respect by keeping our communication (including criticisms) positive and constructive. We ask that you refrain from offensive language, personal attacks and disrespectful comments. SECURITY. Never post any personal account information on this page. First Century will never request personal information...any such request should be considered fraudulent. PROTECT YOUR IDENTITY. Do not post personal information that you do not want publicly available and do not post or share any information that can be illegally used to obtain access to your financial information. THIS IS NOT A BRANCH. This is a social site. If you need assistance with a financial matter, please contact your local branch. To find your local branch, visit www.firstcenturybank.com/locations/
OPINIONS. Any comments made by unauthorized bank representatives do not reflect the viewpoints held by First Century Bank. CHILDREN. If you are under the age of thirteen (13), we cannot accept your comments according to compliance with Federal law.
11/05/2025
Did you catch Episode 2 of "Making Sense of your Cents"?
Hereโs your actionable tip from the episode: Become a "Rate Detective."
Take 60 seconds this week to find two numbers:
The APR on one of your credit cards (this is what you pay).
The APY on your savings account (this is what you earn).
Knowing your numbers is the first step to making your money work for you, not against you. For a full, jargon-free breakdown, listen to Episode 2 at the link in our bio!
11/04/2025
"Making Sense of your Cents" is now available wherever you get your podcasts. You can also find us at www.firstcenturybank.com/podcast.
10/31/2025
Check out these 'gourd-geous' creations from our First Century Bank employees! ๐จ
Our team is getting into the spirit with some incredibly creative painted pumpkins. From all of us at FCB, we wish you a fun, safe, and Happy Halloween!
10/31/2025
It's finally here! We've been asking, "What if your money made sense?" The answer is "Making Sense of your Cents," the new podcast from First Century Bank. Join our hosts, Daniel Hill and Shanna Browning, and start your journey to financial clarity. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts!
What a great weekend! Our First Century Bank employees loved kicking off the season at trunk-or-treat events in Middlesboro, Sharps Chapel, Luttrell, and Halls. Thank you to our amazing team for getting involved!
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10/26/2025
Last night oneknoxville won the 2025 USL League One Players Shield -
Which means top of the league, first time ever! We are so proud of the team, owners and staff for all their hard work, and are happy to be their official banking partner! Playoffs are up next! Letโs go boys ! โฝ๏ธ
10/24/2025
10/24/2025
What if your Money Made Sense? Stay tuned, the answer is coming on November 4th!
10/21/2025
Weโve had us a couple of fun days being out, supporting so many wonderful organizations, like the Pat Summitt Foundation golf tournament, Emerald Youth Legacy dinner - honoring Coach Rick Barnes, and the ribbon cutting for Street
Hope TN (whoโs on the second level of our Emory Road location). We are humbled and grateful to be a small part!
Servant leadership is the heart of who we are and weโre proud to be a part of our communities!
10/17/2025
This October, First Century Bank joins in observing Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We honor the strength of survivors, support those currently fighting, and remember those we have lost.
10/16/2025
๐๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ ๐ท๐ผ๐ถ๐ป ๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐บ ๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ถ๐ฟ๐๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐๐๐ฟ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ธ! We're a community-centered, family-owned business that just happens to be a bank. Founded in 1894, First Century has become more than a bank, Weโre a Tennessee Tradition.
This year, help make Christmas just a little happier! You can partner with First Century Bank to sponsor a child that lives in ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ๐ผ๐ฐ๐ธ ๐๐ผ๐๐ป๐๐ by picking up an Angel Tree Tag at our Sneedville Office, and share the true meaning of Christmas with a child in need.
๐Drop off Gifts and Angel Tree Tag at our Sneedville Office by December 5, 2025๐
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when First Century Bank posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
In 1894, Claiborne National Bank was established in the Appalachian Mountains of East Tennessee in the town of Tazewell. The bankโs first president, George Montgomery, a Claiborne County native, lead the bank to prosperity. In 1919, during the bankโs 20-year anniversary, the name was changed to Claiborne County Bank, which remained the name until the late 1980โs when Chairman Glenn Yoakum decided to expand the bank into Hancock and Union Counties. The bank was no longer a one county bank, and as a result, the name was changed to First Claiborne Bank. However, in 1999, the bank celebrated a โCentury of Service,โ and to honor that achievement the bankโs name was changed to First Century Bank.
Our story would not be complete if we did not share the purpose of our symbol, the OAK TREE. In the fall of 1936, a 23-year-old man from Authur, Tennessee, named Glenn Yoakum, was hired as a teller. He was one of the bankโs only five employees. He was proud to call himself a banker; however, as World War II escalated, Yoakum joined the Navy in order to serve his country. After the war ended, Lieutenant Yoakum returned to the bank where his position remained. Mr. Yoakum became a seasoned banker, gaining the respect of the community and his co-workers. When the bankโs president, J. T. Hughes, passed away, Mr. Yoakum was named president.
To his community, Yoakum was a servant leader. He served 28 years on the Claiborne County School Board (many as Chairman,) he served as Claiborne County Judge, and he served two terms in the Tennessee State Senate. In 1952, Mr. Yoakum established Yoakum Oil Company, which was a distributorship for Shell Oil Company in five counties. True to his farming roots and realizing the importance of cattle and to***co to the community, he purchased Banner To***co Warehouse and the Tazewell Stock Barn. These businesses quickly became some of the most prosperous merchants in East Tennessee.
In 1990, Mr. Yoakum suffered a life ending heart attack, but not before he had created his own legacy in the community he loved. The Claiborne Progress paid tribute to Mr. Yoakum with a front page heading that read: โA MIGHTY OAK HAS FALLEN.โ This reference was a fitting analogy as Mr. Yoakumโs life, in many ways, resembled the Oak Tree - strong roots, solid core, and standing tall with pride and dignity. As a tribute to his legacy, the oak tree was added to the bankโs logo.
Today, Glenn Yoakumโs legacy remains strong with daughter, Eleanor Yoakum, and grandson, Rob Barger, leading the bank. Mr. Yoakumโs leadership is evident in Ms. Yoakumโs actions: she has served in Tennessee State Government as the Commissioner of Personnel and as Chief of Staff to the Governor. Eleanor recalls:
This is the philosophy and mindset that continues to pave the way for the bank to present day. In 1998, after graduating from the University of Tennessee, Eleanorโs son and current CEO, Rob Barger, began his career at the bank. In 2008, just before the nationโs financial issues, Mr. Barger was promoted to CEO of First Century Bank. Like his grandfather, Rob took the helm during a very difficult economic environment. The first six years would prove to be some of the toughest years in the bankโs history. However, under Robโs leadership, a strong executive team, and with Eleanorโs support, the Bank again returned to prosperity.
Today, the legacies of the past are not forgotten. The bankโs roots are strong, creating a solid foundation for an institution that stands tall with pride and dignity, just like the Oak Tree.
