Bank Independent marked a major milestone in its nearly 80-year history Monday with the official opening of its new Team Campus in Muscle Shoals, a sprawling operational hub designed to support the bank’s continued growth across North Alabama.

The bank celebrated the opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new campus on Reservation Road, joined by U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville), Colbert County Administrator Roger Creekmore, and the mayors of both Muscle Shoals and Sheffield, Billy Hudson and Bryan VanDevender.

Located on a 50-acre site at the corner of Reservation Road and newly renamed Independent Way, the facility consolidates 234 Bank Independent employees from five locations across Lauderdale and Colbert counties into a single shared workplace focused on collaboration, efficiency and long-term expansion.

The campus includes a 97,419-square-foot main building and a 12,000-square-foot warehouse. Bank officials said the facility was designed with future growth in mind, with capacity for up to 384 employees through reconfiguration.

“This campus is a testament to Bank Independent’s progress and unwavering commitment to the people and communities of North Alabama,” said Bank Independent Chief Executive Officer Macke Mauldin. “As we embark on this exciting new chapter, our Team Campus empowers us to support and uplift our region for generations to come.”

Construction on the project began in October 2023 and wrapped up in November 2025. The campus is not customer-facing and does not replace any existing branch locations, but instead centralizes many of the bank’s operational and support functions.

Bank leaders said the project reflects confidence in both the Shoals region and the future of community banking in North Alabama.

“Our Team Campus stands as much more than a new building — it’s a powerful testament to our faith in North Alabama, the incredible people who call it home, and the bright future we are creating together,” Mauldin said.

The new campus sits on former Tennessee Valley Authority property, something bank officials said carries symbolic significance.

“The fact that our campus is located on former TVA property adds special significance,” Mauldin said. “This land symbolizes a legacy of vision, progress, and service to the people of the valley.”

The facility features four floors, 18 conference rooms, 13 focus rooms, wellness rooms, patios, a café, fitness center, media library and production studio. It also includes an advanced building automation system and an 82-kilowatt solar power system designed to improve energy efficiency and sustainability.

“This Team Campus reflects Bank Independent’s long-term commitment to North Alabama and to the people we serve every day,” said Preuit Mauldin, Executive Vice President of Credit Administration at Bank Independent. “It represents thoughtful planning, strong stewardship, and a clear investment in the future of our organization. By creating a space that brings our teams together and supports greater collaboration, we are better positioned to serve our customers well and continue meeting the needs of a growing region.”

Bank Independent Chief Administrative Officer Penny Camp said the campus was built first and foremost as an investment in employees.

“We wanted to create a space where our team members feel supported, connected, and equipped to do their very best work,” Camp said. “When we give our teams the environment and resources they need to thrive, it naturally strengthens the service we provide to our customers.”

Community leaders praised the investment and its regional impact during Monday’s ceremony.

“This building reflects Bank Independent’s long-standing commitment to the people of North Alabama,” Congressman Aderholt said. “Bank Independent has always been more than just a bank. It’s a community institution that is rooted in service, relationships, and a genuine desire to make a difference in people’s lives.”

Sheffield Mayor VanDevender said the project represents a continued commitment to local leadership and regional investment.

“For nearly 80 years, Bank Independent has represented stability, stewardship, local leadership, and a belief in this region,” he said. “Strong communities are built by institutions that believe in the people around them and invest in them.”

Bank Independent first unveiled plans for the Team Campus during its 75th anniversary celebration in 2022. Officials said the opening marks the beginning of a new chapter for the bank as it continues expanding across North Alabama.

Founded in 1947, Bank Independent operates 33 traditional sales offices across North Alabama in addition to digital banking services.