We're Your Neighbor
and Your Friend
We aren't the biggest bank on the block, and you won't find one of our branches in Tokyo... or even Charlotte. But there's a lot to be said for choosing a bank that's locally owned and managed. Because we are your neighbor and your friend, we're able to respond to community needs every day, year in and year out. Sometimes it means assisting a struggling family during the holidays. Sometimes it involves a cherished tradition like the Lawrence Harris Scholarship. It's no surprise to find your Friend banker volunteering beside you for a local charity. And when you bank at Friend, you know your bank is a place where you can always find a sympathetic ear or helping hand.
CDFI
As a CDFI (Community Development Financial Institution), we are hyper-focused on local; local challenges and local solutions. Not only are we hyper-focused on local, we are focused on building strong communities and broad prosperity. CDFIs provide a unique and wide range of financial services that create opportunity and build wealth. There are only 11 CDFIs in the state of Alabama, and only 141 in the US.
Friend Helping Friends
Our Friend Helping Friends Program is our long-term commitment to local giving, scholarship, and volunteerism.
Team Friend
Every Friend full time employee receives 40 hours of paid time, annually, to volunteer in our community. When friends help friends, everyone benefits.
Giving
Friend invests in our community in many ways, including our annual Friend Giving Trees, Community Shred Days, and annual participation in United Way. In addition, Friend helps to fund organizations in the following areas: youth, the elderly, education, the arts, and community development.
Marjorie Harris Endowment
In 2019, Friend Bank announced a $50,000 gift to the Slocomb Alumni Association in memory of Marjorie Hughes Harris. The Endowment is used exclusively to support ongoing projects that benefit teachers and students.
Paul Kennedy Farm Family Award
The Geneva County Outstanding Farm Family award is presented annually in memory of Mr. Paul Kennedy. Mr. Kennedy spent his entire career in farming and agricultural businesses. He was a passionate advocate for the farming community which was the driving reason he helped establish City Bank of Hartford.
- 2024 Jerry Peak Family
- 2023 Sanders Family
- 2022 Aplin Farms
- 2021 McGriff Farms
- 2019 Watkins Family Farms
Lawrence Harris Endowed Scholarship
The Lawrence Harris Endowed Scholarship Fund was established in December, 1992, to promote the education of deserving undergraduate students who enroll full-time at the University of Alabama. The scholarship is awarded only to graduates of Slocomb High School and is open to entering freshmen, transfer students, and continuing full-time undergraduates at the University of Alabama. A total of more than $174,000 has been awarded since the Fund was established.
| YEAR | RECIPIENTS |
|---|---|
2025 | Alena Beverett Cade Birge Lorena Dominguez Shelba Hagler Avery Havas Sophia Keeling Summer Rollins |
2024 | Shelba Hagler Emma Martin |
2023 | Emma Martin Edwin Olea TylaGrace Strickland Shelba Hagler |
2022 | Macy Birge Emma Martin Edwin Olea Sophia Strickland Joshua Todd Faustino Vazquez Ryan Vazquez |
2021 | Emma Martin Nicholas Goulet Macy Birge Edwin Olea |
2020 | John Williams Chase Reeder Macy Birge Isaiah Newell Edwin Olea Jackson Helms |
Friend Family Scholarship
Awarded annually, this scholarship recognizes the scholastic achievement of our employee’s college age children.
| YEAR | RECIPIENTS |
|---|---|
2024 | Emily Pologruto Molly Vann |
2023 | Emily Pologruto Molly Vann |
2022 | Emily Pologruto Molly Vann Tucker Jackson |
2021 | Shelby Hargrave Molly Vann Aubrey Bond Jasmine Shiver |
2020 | Kendall Grimes Shelby Hargrave Blaise VanHoose Mallory Vann |
Have Questions?
Our Friend bankers are ready to assist you with all your personal banking needs.