About SouthEast Bank
We're Good To Know
Proudly Serving Middle and East Tennessee
SouthEast Bank proudly serves customers in Middle and East Tennessee with a blend of quality banking products and local decision-making. That's why it's no surprise that we've earned the trust of individuals and businesses in our community to grow into a financial partner with more than $2 billion in assets. No matter how much we grow, our commitment to our customers remains our priority.
Corporate Headquarters: Farragut, Tennessee
Operations Centers: Athens, Tennessee and Knoxville, Tennessee
Parent Organization: Education Loan Finance, Inc
Subsidiaries: ELFI, SouthEast Insurance Services1
Our Footprint
SouthEast Bank is proud to have roots planted firmly in the communities we serve. And because each individual's financial needs are different, our approach to providing innovative solutions are too. SouthEast Bank's customers have come to expect feature-rich personal banking products and first-rate mortgage lending options. With a passion for helping small businesses thrive, we take a concierge approach to business banking, offering everything from free business checking and commercial loans to accounting and invoicing solutions and Treasury Management Services.
From branches in Chattanooga and Cookeville to Athens and Knoxville, and with expanded access for customers banking online coast-to-coast, we offer easy access to a financial team with modern banking platforms and lending decisions made right here by leaders who live in our community. SouthEast Bank is proud to be FDIC-insured, meaning you can bank with confidence knowing your money is protected and backed by the federal government.


Our History
2002 — SouthEast Bank & Trust established in Athens, TN
2006 — SouthEast Bank & Trust acquires AmSouth Bank’s branch in Athens, TN
2013 — SouthEast Bank & Trust merges with Community Bank of the Cumberlands, with three branches in Jamestown and Cookeville, TN
2013 — SouthEast Bank & Trust becomes SouthEast Bank
2015 — SouthEast Bank opens corporate headquarters in Farragut, TN
2015 — SouthEast Bank launches Education Loan Finance (ELFI), a nationwide leader in student loan refinancing and private student loans
2016 — SouthEast Bank's Hardin Valley branch opens
2016 —SouthEast Bank's Lenoir City branch opens
2017 — SouthEast Bank's Bearden branch opens
2019 — SouthEast Bank's Chattanooga branch opens
2019 — SouthEast Bank's Fountain City branch opens
2019 — SouthEast Insurance Services is launched1
2020 — SouthEast Bank’s holding company, Educational Services of America (dba. Edsouth Services), becomes Education Loan Finance, Inc
Our Branches
Personal attention, convenient banking options. Find a SouthEast Bank location near you.
Athens
Chattanooga
Cleveland Cookeville - Willow Ave Cookeville - 10th St Dayton
Decatur
Farragut
Knoxville - Bearden
Knoxville - Fountain City
Knoxville - Hardin Valley
Lenoir City
Ooltewah
Spring City
Our local Customer Care Center team is available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST Monday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. EST on Saturdays. You can call the Customer Care Center team directly by clicking the button below, or dial 1-844-732-2657. Additionally, you can securely access your account anytime with our improved SouthEast Bank online and mobile banking services.


Our Executive Team
John Arnold - President and CEO, SouthEast Bank
Bill Thompson - CEO, SouthEast Bank
Monty Montgomery - President, SouthEast Bank
Barbara Thomas - Chief Operations Officer, SouthEast Bank
Kirby Burton - Chief Compliance Officer, SouthEast Bank
Eva Todd - Chief Human Relations Officer, SouthEast Bank
Shellie Fugate- Chief Financial Officer, SouthEast Bank
Jeff Gibbs - Chief Information Officer, SouthEast Bank
Jimmy Dalton - Chief Credit Officer, SouthEast Bank
Tom Vermette - Chief Technical Officer, SouthEast Bank
Our Board of Directors
John Arnold, Chairman
Bill Thompson, Secretary
Jeff Smith
Bob Rosenbaum
George Johnson
Sam Michu

Proud to be Local
Our roots are planted firmly in Middle and East Tennessee. Learn more about our mission and promise to the communities we serve.
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Focus on Education
Together with our holding company, we've donated more than $20 million to support education. Learn more about how we help our communities reach higher.
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Join our Team
From our Knoxville-based Customer Care Center and administrative offices to our community branches and operations centers, careers start at SouthEast Bank.
Learn More1SouthEast Insurance Services Products
- are not a deposit
- are not FDIC-insured
- are not insured by any federal government agency
- are not guaranteed by the bank
- may go down in value
Insurance products are not insured by FDIC or any Federal Government Agency; are not a deposit of, or guaranteed by the Bank or any Bank Affiliate; and may lose value. Any insurance required as a condition of the extension of credit by SouthEast Bank need not be purchased from our Agency but may, without affecting the approval of the application for an extension of credit, be purchased from an agent or insurance company of the customer's choice.