Thankfulness

We had a conversation in the Knoxville Branch a couple of weeks ago about how thankful we are for our health. The funny thing is that this conversation followed on the heels of several us of defeating illnesses. Why did we wait until we’d gotten sick to think about how thankful we are when we’re healthy?

Sometimes things get so hectic that I forget to stop and think about the things – big and small – for which I am thankful. It’s that time of year when we all give thanks, so what better time to adopt a program of thankful-thinking? I’ve read about people who start or end each day by thinking of three things that they’re thankful for. Impressive. I’ll never be that disciplined about my thankful-thinking, but I can do better.

So, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, I will tell you just a few of the work-related things for which I am thankful:

• I am thankful for all the new Associates at our SmartBank Branch and all of the talent they’re bringing to our organization. So, thank you, Bill Arant, Cortney Daugherty, and Kelly Taylor, for joining SmartBank.
• I am thankful for all of the new Clients we have gotten to know. Thank you, Clients, for giving SmartBank the opportunity to earn your business. We are even busier than we dreamed we would be. We love it when you come visit with us.
• I am thankful that when the list came out of who needed to bring what to our Branch’s Thanksgiving meal, that Gena assigned me a jar of turkey gravy. Thank you, Gena, for recognizing my challenges in the kitchen and sparing me from having to actually make something. (Also, thank you for the tip that Heinz makes a mean jar of turkey gravy.)

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony in Knoxville

Things are off to a really great start at our Knoxville Branch. Please join us for a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Thursday, August 6, 2009, at 10:00AM.  After the ceremony, we will be serving light hors d’oeuvres.  We would love for our clients and friends to join us for the celebration.  And, if you just want to learn more about SmartBank, come on out! Please RSVP to Gena Hankins at 865.868.2701 or ghankins@smartbank.net.  Our address is 7827 Montvue Center Way.  Call us if you need directions. See you there!

SmartBank is now open in Knoxville!

We are very excited to announce the opening of our Knoxville branch, for a variety of reasons, some more important than others.

Important things: First of all, having an additional location will help us to better serve existing clients. Secondly, we know that entering into a new market will provide us with many opportunities to meet new folks. We can’t wait for that because then we’ll be able to introduce them to SmartBank and show them why they’ll love banking with us.

Not-so-important things (well, depends on who you ask): All of us who work here can easily scoot over to the mall to do some shopping during lunch, and Starbucks is about 45 paces from our front door.

We have assembled an all-star team in Knoxville, and we’d really love for you to stop by and meet Gena and Kenny. We are conveniently located just west of West Town Mall in Montvue Center, the same shopping center as Starbucks and Classy Lady. Our hours are Monday – Friday, 8 AM – 5 PM. See you soon!