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Citizens Bank & Trust was built with purpose, vision, and a deep commitment to community. No one embodies that more than Mike Alred, the bank’s founder and current Chairman of the Board. With over five decades of banking experience and a legacy of leadership, Mike’s vision for a locally owned, community-centered bank became a reality in 2003—and continues to thrive 22 years later.

Q&A with Mike Alred

What do you value most about being part of the Citizens Bank & Trust team?

Working and, as chairman, still being part of a great team. How they work together, help each other, work in the community. It’s actually what I miss the most in retirement, seeing everyone each day.

How do you see Citizens Bank & Trust making a positive impact in the community?

Many, many of our employees are active in the community; that’s been part of our culture since the day we started. It's carried through in the volunteer work and leadership positions throughout the community. Providing the best banking services—and the way we provide that service—has a great impact on the community also.

What unique perspective or experience do you bring to the board?

Fifty years of banking experience in multiple markets. From the beginning of my career, I’ve been exposed to almost every department and every discipline in banking—there’s nothing new to me anymore. The basics are the same, even though the industry changes. At its core, banking is still a customer-based business—we have to treat them right. If we do, we’ll be rewarded with faithful customers.

How do you stay connected with the bank’s mission and core values in your role?

I stay in contact with the senior management team, look at financial statements, stay up to date on what’s happening in the financial markets, and try to visit with the staff as much as I can. I also still attend bank events like the Business Summit and Charity Classic, which I enjoy being a part of.

What does "community banking" mean to you, and why is it important?

Community banking is performed by those banks who truly are part of the community. By that I mean their ownership and leadership are involved and integrated in the community effort. True community banks are committed to growing their communities—it’s in their business model.

If you could describe Citizens Bank & Trust in three words, what would they be?

Solid – solid people, solid board members, solid business model
Adaptable – In 22 years we’ve had a lot of changes—in the economy, regulations—but our people have not missed a beat and have gone right on, accepting change and continuing our success.
Caring – going back to my first answer, the people here really care about their job.

What excites you most about the future of Citizens Bank & Trust?

Our marketplace is growing. Opportunities for us to gain market share are right in front of us, and we’re well poised—with our people, our systems, and our products.

What I’m most proud of, though, is our culture—and how it’s been created and carried forward by our employees. It’s the heart of who we are, and protecting it will always be a top priority as we move forward. It’s essential to who we are and who we intend to remain.

We didn’t build this bank to sell it—we built it to run it like we’ll own it for a hundred years. While we absolutely keep our shareholders’ return on equity as a top priority, it may very well be that running this bank for the next century is what delivers the best return for everyone involved.

About Mike Alred

Michael W. Alred, is the founder and Chairman of the Board of Citizens Bank & Trust and has served as a director of the Bank since its formation in March 2003. He was also the founding CEO and President, leading the bank until his retirement in 2017. A graduate of Auburn University with a degree in Industrial Management, Mike began his career with SunTrust Bank in Atlanta before returning to Alabama to lead banking operations in the Marshall County market. He spent over 11 years as CEO of SouthTrust Bank, later serving as Executive Vice President of Community Bank in Blountsville before founding Citizens Bank & Trust. Mike’s 50+ years of banking experience, strategic leadership, and dedication to community service have shaped the mission and growth of CBT from the ground up. He currently serves on the Marshall County Health Care Authority and continues to mentor and support CBT’s leadership and culture.

This post is part of our Rooted in Community, Driven by Experience series, where we’re proud to reintroduce the dedicated members of our Board of Directors—the leaders who guide Citizens Bank & Trust with vision, integrity, and a deep commitment to the communities we serve.

As our founder and current Chairman, Mike Alred’s influence continues to shape the culture and future of CBT. His legacy of long-term thinking, community investment, and relationship-first banking thrives through the people and principles he put in place. Today, we are proud to have strong leaders at every level who are carrying that legacy forward, protecting what makes our culture special and ensuring that the bank remains rooted in its founding values for generations to come.