After 38-years of service, Kathy Bowling, will be retiring as Branch Manager at the end of August from our Richmond Branch.

When did you start your career at FSNB?

June 1982

What makes First Southern Special to you?

There are so many things that make First Southern special to me, but I think it’s largely the people I work with. While the team members at my branch are incredibly special to me, the entire team within First Southern is terrific. I have made lifelong friends while working here with both team members and our amazing customers. I also love to be able to share my faith with not only my team, but also customers.

What are some of the most significant changes you’ve seen in the banking industry during your tenure?

Technology would be at the top of the list. When I started, we were still posting customer’s transactions on ledger sheets.

What advice would you tell your 20-something-year-old self as you were entering your career at FSNB?

Hit the floor running and take advantage of every opportunity that offers itself to you.

How are you different because you’ve worked at First Southern National Bank?

I have a much deeper appreciation of so many things in life, such as my faith and relationships.

What does it mean to “be there” for customers?

To me, it means getting to know our customers and have a relationship and a true friendship with them. I want to be someone they can trust and depend on, and that will treat them with respect no matter what the balance in their account may be. One of my favorite quotes is by Maya Angelou and I think it is key in building lasting relationships. “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

What would you tell someone who is thinking about a career at First Southern National Bank?

I would share how truly blessed I feel to have been a part of the First Southern family. Words cannot describe how wonderful of a place it is to work. Working at First Southern means that you are working with genuinely good people who really enjoy serving customers. I would encourage them to take advantage of the many opportunities they will be presented to them and realize early on how much First Southern invests in their Team Members.

What are you looking forward to most during retirement?

I am looking forward to spending more time with my family and reconnecting with old friends. I can’t wait to make more memories with my grandkids.

Thanks for sharing your wisdom and guidance with us, Kathy! We wish you the very best in your retirement, and your First Southern National Bank family will greatly miss you!