Bank Independent opens in MidCity District

HUNTSVILLE — Bank Independent celebrated its 30^th branch opening with a ribbon-cutting Thursday in Huntsville’s MidCity District.

“It’s a pretty exciting time for Bank Independent,” said Rick Wardlaw, CEO of the Shoals-based community bank.

This is the third Bank Independent branch in Madison County with expansion coming to west Madison and Hampton Cove. Bank Independent’s five-story building in downtown Huntsville has recently been completed.

“For 75 years, Bank Independent has built a reputation to be the bank of choice and the employer of choice in our communities,” said Wardlaw. “Bank Independent is built to serve, not built to sale. We plan to be here for another 75 years.”

DeMarco McClain, Huntsville city president of Bank Independent, praised the development at the former location of the Madison Square Mall.

“MidCity is near to my heart, we’ve been involved with the development since the early stages,” he said. “Many of you recall the mall across the street. You remember it in its prime and then we remember its decline.”

McClain also thanked MidCity developers Max and Remy Grelier, co-founders of RCP Companies, for their vision of a thriving mixed-use district.

“It was a big ask, but look at what they’ve done,” he said. “This is amazing.”

Once complete, the MidCity District will include 350,000 square feet of retail, dining, and entertainment space; approximately 400,000 square feet of high-tech office space; 1,600 residential units; and approximately 650 hotel rooms.

“This is just another testament to our commitment to serve our customers,” said McClain.  “Huntsville is a growing city and we are excited for that. We are also excited for Bank Independent being committed to growing with Huntsville.”

Macke Mauldin, president of Bank Independent, agreed, saying North Alabama and Bank Independent are growing together.

“Bank Independent started in 1947,” he said.  “At the end of 1947, the bank had total assets of $1 million.”

Bank Independent now has more than $2.5 billion in total assets, according to Mauldin.

“We are so proud to be a part of the growth in Huntsville, Madison city and Madison County,” he said. “We are a proud member of your community.”

Bank Independent’s newest Huntsville branch is at 930 Old Monrovia Road.