Talbert continues five-decade banking career
Not many people open their own bank. Ray Talbert is one of the few who has.
Ray began the process of forming Homeland Community Bank in 2002 and opened the doors in 2003.
“I was basically out of work for a year and a half getting everything set up,” said Ray. “There are a lot of regulations when you’re opening a bank.”
In 23 years, Homeland Community Bank has grown from 20 employees at one location to 40 employees at four locations. Most recently, the bank expanded to Woodbury in 2021.
Perhaps the most remarkable thing about Ray and his 55-year career in banking is that he’s still working full time as president and CEO at age 82. He has no plans to retire.
“Thankfully, I’m in good health,” said Ray. “You never know what might happen tomorrow, but I’m doing fine health-wise. A doctor told me one time that our bodies are like a machine. They need to keep moving. Think of an old car that sits out in a field for a year. What happens to it? It falls apart. I plan to keep moving.”
Ray worked as a loan officer for City Bank in the 1970s. Back then, the minimum loan was $100.
“I remember so many people would take out loans and take their weekly vacation to go to the fair,” said Ray. “Their repayment plan would be 12 monthly payments so they would have it paid off by the time the fair rolled around next year.”
He wanted to start Homeland Community Bank because he says huge commercial banks aren’t geared toward their customers.
“You can’t make good policies and guidelines for people who live in McMinnville and people who live in Memphis,” said Ray.
He says he’s been fortunate to do business with five generations of a few families.
“To know that they trust me and know that they’re coming to me because their father did business with me, that’s a big deal,” said Ray. “I have history with a lot of families.”
Ray is a Warren County native and member of the City High School class of 1961. A longtime softball player, Ray was still competing in tournaments with his son and grandson until age 72.
He’s married to wife Christy and enjoys raising walking horses in his free time. He has two grown children, Angie Nichols and Ronnie Talbert.
