First National Bank of Brundidge
	Brundidge,  Alabama

 

Bank Formation:  October 5, 1904

                          Current President: James T Ramage III (Jimmy)     

 

First National Bank of Brundidge History:

 

Typical of the history of most successful Alabama banks is the presence of one particular person who guided the bank in its early days and who helped lay the foundation that others have built upon. At The First National Bank of Brundidge that man was the late James T. Ramage, a successful farmer turned banker, who directed the bank from its organization in 1904 until his death in 1938.  From its original capitalization of $30,000 FNB-Brundidge has grown to $93 million in assets. Today the bank is directed by James T. Ramage III, great grandson of the founder. Ramage serves as Chairman of the Board / CEO and President. Ramage credit's the bank history of fine leadership and the trust of the community for First National's 104 year long success story. Ramage laughed as he recalled how he was first employed by the bank, "I worked my way through junior high school and high school as the janitor." Today he directs the bank and its thousands of customers in the Brundidge and Pike County areas.

 

Brundidge was founded in 1851 when George C. Collier moved here and opened a general store. For a number of years, the community and post office went by the name of "Collier Store". The name was changed to Brundidge in order to honor James M. Brundidge (1812-1901), a prominent Mason.  Brundidge supported the Confederacy when the War Between the States broke out, and several companies of soldiers were formed in the town. The Brundidge news paper reveals that there was a great deal of interest in the 1890's for a local bank or two. Robberies were quite common, and local citizens were beginning to demand some kind of banking services. The Brundidge Banking Company was created in 1900 and provided a great service, but it was felt by many that the services of still another bank were needed.

 

The mother of James T. Ramage died when he was just an infant, and he came to Pike County to live with his uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Burr Ramage. J.T. Ramage came to Brundidge in about 1893 and became a partner with J.E. Helms, and W.D. Lee in a firm known as HELMS, LEE & Company. They were dealers in hardware, furniture, stoves, coffins, and harvesting machinery. 

 

J.T. Ramage later came out of the partnership and created his own firm, which specialized in plantation supplies. He soon showed a knack for business and became a prominent businessman. He was convinced that Brundidge needed and could support another bank and began work in that direction.  The Brundidge News contained the following in its issue of August 13, 1904: The old wooden two-story building which stood on the east side of South Main is a memory of the past. Workmen commenced pulling it down last Tuesday to make room for the brick building to be erected by the First National Bank.  The First National Bank opened for business on Saturday, October 15, 1904. The directors were: J.T. Ramage, J.S. Carroll, A.G. Seay, Dick Fryer and Burr Ramage.  The Brundidge News had the following to say in its issue for that day: The First National Bank of Brundidge open for business this morning. It has a good set of officers and directors. The institution will be welcomed by the people as an evidence of the growth and importance of Brundidge as a business center, and we are sure its promoters will find it a paying investment.  The Troy Herald, In its issue of October 22, 1904 , had the following new item: The First National Bank opened for business Saturday morning, and we learned that its deposits Saturday aggregated more than $16,000. Mr. James T. Ramage, who is president and has immediate control, is one of the foremost businessmen of this section, and there is no doubt but that he will get his share of the business. As soon as they get their fixtures in and furniture arranged, their quarters will be up-to-date in every respect.

BIO: Current President - James T Ramage III (Jimmy)                           

Title: President / CEO / Chairman of the Board            Years in current position:                   

Years of banking experience: 36.5 Yrs {November 15, 1969}

Hometown: Brundidge, Alabama                                 College: The University of Alabama

 

Civic Activities:

• Active Member of  Brundidge United Methodist Church
• Mayor of the city of  Brundidge (1986 – present)
• City Commissioner of the city of Brundidge (1976-1986)
• Chairman-Elect Alabama Electric Cooperatives Board of Trustees
• Chairman of the Child Henderson Memorial Association’s Board of Directors
• Member of the State Commission on National and Community Service
• Ex-Officio Member of the Pike County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
• Ex-Officio Member of the Pike County Economic Development Commission
• Member Brundidge Rotary Club {Past President and Paul Harris Fellow}
• Member – Pike County Cattlemen’s Association
• Member of the Alabama Treasury Forestry Association
• Member to the University of Alabama National Alumni Association (Past District Governor)

Departments worked in during banking career: Janitor 6 Years prior to college, on returning from college worked as:  Teller, in the Loan Dept., Cashier, Loan Officer, Operations Officers,  all of those tasks prior to CEO, President, and Chairman of the Board

 

Family:

Spouse: Johnnie M Ramage

Children’s names and ages:  James (Jim) T Ramage IV and wife Jennifer Lockridge Ramage who reside in Brentwood Tennessee and John R Ramage and wife  Melissa Lawson Ramage who reside in Brundidge.

Number of grandchildren:    Three – Riley Lynn Ramage {6} and Mary Lawson Ramage {4} and
             Ava Rose Ramage (4 months)

 

Most interesting or fulfilling job ever held not associated with banking:

While a student at The University of Alabama I have the opportunity to work at Bryant Hall 1966-1969. I got to meet US Senators, some of the greatest entertainers of this generation, college and professional athletes from all walks of life.  Bryant Hall at this time was the place these people stayed when in Tuscaloosa.  There were no great hotels or motels.  I also had the opportunity to see Coach Bryant, his staff and the players up- close and personal.   I got to see the filming of the ABC-TV special on Coach Bryant that aired 1967.   They followed Coach around for several weeks prior to the season opener with Florida State, the game ended in a 37-37.  Getting to see these people upclose and in a private setting was interesting and educational.  

 

What is the greatest banking lesson you’ve ever learned and why? 

I think the greatest lesson is to surround yourself with smart people with good character.
Do not be afraid to have people on your staff smarter than you are.  Then we have to educate and communicate the bank’s goals and objectives.  After we educate the staff they will be able to implement our plans.  When we have the right people they will communicate to our customers and prospective customers why they should use our bank and not the one down the street.  People make things happen, do not wait for luck.  Luck is the product of good planning and hard work of  smart people with good character.  Treat people like you want to be treated and everything else will take of itself.