Darby named Bank Independent’s first business development officer

SHEFFIELD – From her beginnings working a part-time position in customer service at Bank Independent, Lynda Darby has steadily climbed the company ladder to a position that wouldn’t exist for another 27 years when she came aboard in 1996.

Tuesday, she was announced as the newly created position of business development officer for three counties – Lauderdale, Colbert and Franklin.

“The creation of the business development officer role demonstrates our commitment to meeting deposit demand through relationship-based business development,” Bank Independent CEO Rick Wardlaw said. “As business development officer, Lynda will serve as an ambassador of the bank’s mission, vision, and values within the communities we serve. She embodies our mission, vision, and values, and her talent for building strong relationships made her the ideal candidate to fill this important new role.”

In her new role, Darby will be responsible for generating long-term, sustainable core deposit growth by serving as a brand ambassador and nurturing new and potential deposit relationships within Lauderdale, Colbert and Franklin counties.

Darby joined the bank in 1996 as a part-time customer service representative before moving to Business Banking, now Treasury Solutions.

A Coffee High School graduate, Darby earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and biology from the University of Nebraska in 1983. She has received multiple awards for sales, deposits and volunteerism. She is active in the community as a Chamber Ambassador and has held board positions with organizations including Junior League and Riverbend. 

Bank Independent has also moved up since its founding by farmers in 1947. According to a statement, Bank Independent has “taken pride in serving the customers who count on us to be there for them when they need us most.’’

With 32 traditional sales offices across North Alabama, an on-campus Deshler Tiger Branch, and the Digital Sales Office, the bank said, “We’re committed to providing the best service, designing the most desired products, and creating an overall excellent experience for each and every customer. As a local community bank, we believe in building relationships that run deep and last. All our team members reside in our local communities and believe in giving back through volunteering.’’

For information, visit bibank.com.