Tower Community Bank
Tower Community Bank was organized to serve the working people in the community at a time when out-of-town bank ownership was just beginning to be common. Headquartered in Jasper, Tennessee, the bank recently celebrated its 50th year. Since its inception, Tower Community Bank has expanded to Middle Tennessee with an office in Franklin led by Rick Moody, and in Nolensville, where Hunter Battle runs the mortgage company.
Anna-Grace Owens, portfolio manager at Tower Community Bank, said, “I help manage the portfolio of a lender. I get to work closely with our customers and am just a phone call away whenever anyone experiences any issues with their accounts. I think that is what we offer that most banks these days cannot. I love that I am able to build relationships and trust with our customers. They have a person they can call, not just an 800 number. Every single day in my job is different and I love that I get to problem solve and face a new challenge each day.”
Anna-Grace shared her thoughts on the importance of reading and supporting reading programs.
How has reading impacted you?
As a shy kid, reading was always my escape. On vacations, visiting family, we would first stop at the bookstore to buy a book; and I would devour it over the coming days. To this day, if I can’t sleep, I can read and it will eventually relax me enough to close my eyes. I am a lover of fiction, so I really love getting lost in the characters and the stories. I’m always a little sad to finish a book because I have to say goodbye to those characters! Reading has been one of the more positive impacts on my life, because it’s one of those hobbies that never gets old. It can distract you, keep you company, and open your eyes to new ideas, new places, and new ways of seeing things. I’ve always loved reading about people who are unlike myself and getting a new perspective, seeing the world through someone else’s lens. It’s really important to read from a variety of writers unlike yourself, whether they’re from another country or culture or ethnicity. Reading can be like travelling- it can allow you to experience different parts of the world, even if you don’t have the privilege to do so. This is why I think I enjoyed reading so much as a child.
Why is it important for your company to support the local community?
As a community bank, our mission is just that. We are here to make our communities a better place to live, work, and raise a family. We want to help the people around us, the businesses around us, and the organizations that are taking the time to uplift the community. We are nothing without our local community. We feel it is our responsibility to give back to the communities that we are a part of. It also positively impacts the people that work at our bank, because they are also a part of the local community. If we can assist an organization that they admire or are a part of, we are proud and eager to do that.
What motivates your company to support the Williamson County Library?
The library is a fundamental place for children and adults alike. We want to encourage lifelong learning in our communities and the library is a place that anyone can go to for learning, inspiration, or even just a quiet and nurturing place to be and feel safe. It’s a free space that encourages education; and we want to support that effort in any way we can.
What is your favorite book?
My favorite book is The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd.
Rick Moody, the EVP here at Tower, says his favorite book is Undaunted Courage by Stephen Ambrose.