Hearthside Bank originated in 1920 in Middlesboro, Kentucky, as the Peoples Building and Loan Association. In those early years, with modest assets and prudent management, we established a record of dependability. In 1961, we became a federally chartered institution and changed our name to Home Federal Bank. We opened our second location in Harlan, KY, in 1975.
To better serve our customers’ needs and to more effectively compete in today’s marketplace, we converted from a mutual institution to a stockholder (HFBA) owned institution in December 1992. While focusing on the surrounding markets, we saw an opportunity in Tennessee and opened our existing New Tazewell branch in the mid-1990s.
In 2001, we became a state-chartered commercial bank that allowed us to concentrate more on retail business. With this new charter, we provided our customers with all their needs, including cash management for commercial customers, from various loans and deposit products.
With the convenience of Norris Lake so close by, we began to appreciate and capitalize on the business that our beautiful environment provided.
Norris Lake, located in five different counties, one being Campbell County, brought a new business spotlight. After serving Campbell County since the ’70s, Home Federal Bank was fortunate enough to open a full-service branch in 2003 in Jacksboro, Campbell County’s county seat.
In August of 2010, we saw an opportunity to strengthen our presence within the Harrogate and Lincoln Memorial University communities by building yet another branch. The branch is conveniently located directly across from Lincoln Memorial University’s DCOM building.
In 2016, we opened our first Loan Production Office, HFB Mortgage, in Knoxville, TN. In the fall of 2022, we closed on the purchase of a new branch in the town of Farragut, TN. In January of 2024, we transitioned from our Loan Production Office to be a full-service branch.
Since our founding in 1920, a lot has changed. We noticed the needs of our customers transformed as the banking industry introduced new products and technology to the market. We understand the importance of growing with the world around us. Therefore, as we marked a century in banking, we knew there was no better time to refresh the Home Federal Bank image as we knew it.
In February of 2021, we rebranded to Hearthside Bank. This new name, Hearthside Bank, reflects the warm, comfortable family-style atmosphere that Home Federal has always provided. Our new brand better communicates the same values we’ve always had — our integrity, drive, and commitment to serving our customers. We still offer the same dedicated, dependable service our customers expect while striving to provide the ultimate banking experience.
We have positioned ourselves to grow with you over the next 100 years, all while focusing on the main reason we’ve been so successful over the last century and counting – our customers. At Hearthside Bank, we are Always Within Reach.