Forty-two bankers complete The Southeastern School of Commercial Lending
In May, 42 bankers graduated from The Southeastern School of Commercial Lending (TSSCL). The two-year program is designed to prepare lenders for the challenges of today’s financial services industry.
A Strong Foundation
The first year of study focused on the basics of commercial lending. Students learned how businesses operate, why financing needs arise, and how bankers can meet those needs through relationship banking. The curriculum also emphasized the role of management in shaping a company’s success.
Advanced Training
The second year moved into more complex topics. Students studied advanced cash flow analysis, loan structure, and commercial real estate lending. Courses also covered liquidity management, capital planning, and sales strategies. In addition, students explored new methods to evaluate portfolio credit performance and manage risk.
Honor Graduates
Each year, the top 10 percent of students are recognized as Honor Graduates. In 2026, four students earned this distinction:
• April, Bailey, Commercial Bank, Knoxville
• John, Griffith, Paragon Bank, Memphis
• Jamie, Hinchman, Wilson Bank & Trust, Lebanon
• Erica, Sayers, The First Bank and Trust Company, Abingdon, VA
Click here for more information about The Southeastern School of Commercial Lending, or any of the other Southeastern Schools conducted by the TBA.
Full List of Graduates
Lisa Baggett, United Community Bank, Clarksville
*April Bailey, Commercial Bank, Knoxville
Ryan Barnes, Centennial Bank, Medina
Justin Barnett, Tennessee State Bank, Pigeon Forge
Stacey Beene, RockPointBank, NA, Chattanooga
Jacob Blakeney, Peoples Bank, Magee, MS
Clay Carnes, First National Bank, Gallatin
Logan Cogburn, Home Federal Bank of Tennessee, Knoxville
Stephen Crouch, Community Financial Services Bank, Benton, KY
Aaron Dail, Community Financial Services Bank, Benton, KY
Felisa Deal, FirstBank, Murfreesboro
Jennie Faulkner, Peoples Bank, Mount Pleasant
Julian Flournoy, Wilson Bank & Trust, Nashville
Christley Ford, CBBC Bank, Maryville
*John Griffith, Paragon Bank, Memphis
Robert Harris, New Peoples Bank, Princeton, WV
James Hellmann, Bank of Tennessee, Nashville
*Jamie Hinchman, Wilson Bank & Trust, Lebanon
William Hodges, Pinnacle Bank, Elberton, GA
Michael Horton, The Farmers Bank, Westmoreland
Dawson Hunt, First National Bank of Tennessee, Crossville
Michael Icenhour, The First Bank and Trust Company, Bristol
Hugh Jackson, WesBanco Bank, Inc, Chattanooga
Kayla Johnson, Putnam 1st Mercantile Bank, Cookeville
Melanie Kabore, First National Bank of Tennessee, Cookeville
Judy King, FirstBank, Murfreesboro
Kyle Mangum, Bank Independent, Sheffield, AL
Jaime Mooneyham, Citizens Tri-County Bank , Manchester
Trenton Mosley, The Commercial Bank, Meridian, MS
Aaron Owen, CBBC Bank, Maryville
Jarrod Rose, Planters Bank & Trust Company, Greenwood, MS
Connor Ross, Bank Independent, Sheffield, AL
Steven Rowland, Centennial Bank, Henderson
Zachariah Sanders, Legends Bank, Nashville
*Erica Sayers, The First Bank and Trust Company, Abingdon, VA
Jared Stallard, First Community Bank, Johnson City
Marney Walker, Peoples Bank, Mendenhall, MS
Jason Ward, Robertson Banking Company, Demopolis, AL
Ashley Wilhite, FirstBank, Smyrna
Andrew Winstead, Commercial Bank, Morristown
Richard Wolfinger, Apex Bank, Knoxville
Blaise Zeitler, Mountain Valley Bank, Dunlap
*Denotes Honor Graduate