News

Freedom Bank was honored to participate in the Member Impact Fund through the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines. This program allowed us to support qualifying organizations in our communities and apply for matching funds to increase the impact of each donation. By partnering with these organizations and committing $25,000 in charitable contributions matched 3:1, Freedom Bank was able to provide a total of $100,000 for local community projects. 

Freedom Bank of Southern Missouri is excited to help our communities complete five meaningful projects. 

Barry-Lawrence Regional Library in Shell Knob - $20,000 for its library remodel project 

Monett Area YMCA - $10,000 to purchase a race timing system for local fundraising events 

American Legion Post 118 Missouri - $10,000 to purchase 3x5 ft. banners honoring local veterans along Main Street in Cassville and other support

Recovery Resources - $20,000 to create an outdoor gathering space for residents 

Willard Schools Agriculture Department - $40,000 to build and furnish a barn for the school farm 

$100,000 invested locally in communities across Southern Missouri! 

Serving our customers is our priority, and giving back to the communities that have supported Freedom Bank for the past two decades is especially meaningful. This contribution marks an important milestone in our commitment to local giving, and we are proud to support these projects. Stay tuned as we follow their progress and celebrate the impact they will make. 

Kelley Barnhart has been promoted to Branch President. Kelley has served as Branch Manager for over ten years and has demonstrated unwavering dedication to Freedom Bank throughout her tenure. With this, we felt it was the right time to align Kelly with our other branch leaders, transitioning her role to Branch President of Seligman. 

As Branch Manager and a lender, Kelley consistently displayed a strong commitment to excellence and engaged actively with the local community. Her promotion to Branch President is a reflection of our ongoing efforts to strengthen leadership at Freedom Bank and better serve the financial needs of Seligman and neighboring areas. 

Please join me in congratulating Kelley on this well-deserved advancement. We look forward to her continued contributions as we remain committed to growing our presence in the Seligman community.  

We are pleased to announce that Chris Lawson has been promoted to Chief Lending Officer, SVP at Freedom Bank of Southern Missouri. Since beginning his banking career in 2004, Chris has gained significant experience in credit analysis, loan review, and commercial lending. 

Chris’s comprehensive background in banking, especially his expertise in credit analysis and his success as a loan officer at Freedom Bank, make him an excellent fit for this role. As Freedom Bank continues to grow, it is essential to have a CLO who can support our lenders, maintain a strong credit culture, and help preserve the quality and strength of our loan portfolio. 

In his new position, Chris will mentor lenders and analysts, visit branches to promote lending initiatives in line with the bank’s objectives, ensure compliance with loan policy guidelines, assist with examinations as necessary, participate in loan committee meetings, and manage other responsibilities as required. Please join us in congratulating Chris on this significant advancement for both him and the bank. 

As Chris takes on these new duties, we anticipate that his fresh outlook and leadership will be valuable assets to our lending team. His dedication to excellence and commitment to building solid client relationships reflect our mission to provide outstanding service. We are confident that Chris will contribute greatly to Freedom Bank’s ongoing growth and success within our communities. 

We are pleased to announce the promotion of two esteemed associates, Beth Hudson and Robin Cooper, to key leadership roles within our organization. These appointments reflect our commitment to recognizing outstanding talent and ensuring continued excellence in our operations. 

Beth Hudson Named Chief Compliance Officer 

Beth Hudson, a valued member of our team for over two decades, has been promoted to Chief Compliance Officer. Beth’s dedication, deep expertise in regulatory matters, and unwavering commitment to ethical standards have made her an indispensable asset to our company. Beth will continue to oversee all compliance functions, ensuring that our organization continues to uphold the highest standards of integrity and regulatory adherence. 

Robin Cooper Promoted to Chief Credit Administration Officer

Robin Cooper, also a long-time associate, will step into the role of Chief Credit Administration Officer. Robin’s leadership, analytical acumen, and extensive experience in credit management have contributed significantly to our bank's success. As Chief Credit Administration Officer, Robin will lead our growing credit administration team, focusing on prudent credit practices and supporting the long-term growth plans of Freedom Bank of Southern Missouri. 

Both Beth and Robin have consistently demonstrated professionalism, dedication, and a strong commitment to our organizational values. Their promotions not only recognize their individual achievements but also strengthen our leadership team as we continue to pursue excellence in all aspects of local banking. Stan Kelley, Freedom Bank of Southern Missouri CEO, shares, “Beth and Robin are very deserving of these promotions. They have played prominent roles throughout the growth of Freedom Bank from being a single branch in Cassville to seven bank locations. Each of them displays superb management qualities in the departments they oversee. The Compliance and Credit Administration departments continue to expand in responsibilities and with that comes well-trained associates to carry out the daily functions as the bank continues to grow and succeed. Beth and Robin provide both departments with excellent supervision, training, and direction that empower their associates.”