ATHENS – Bryant Bank’s presence in North Alabama is growing.

The bank, founded in Tuscaloosa in 2005 by Paul W. Bryant, Jr., currently has two locations in Huntsville as well as a loan production office in Athens.

A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for Thursday at 2 p.m. This will mark the start of construction on a new Athens location near downtown for Bryant Bank.

“We are very excited to be breaking ground on our new Athens location and looking forward to opening in the fall of this year,” said Ken Watson, Bryant Bank Huntsville Market President. “Athens is not only one of the highest growth areas in the state, but also a terrific community with a rich history.

“We have assembled an outstanding team of bankers, who, collectively and individually, have many years of banking experience and service in the Athens market. We are honored to have the opportunity to become a part of the community in Athens and look forward to serving its residents and businesses.”

The new bank will be built on the site of the former Athens Bible School property on Highway 31 across from Athens High. According to a press release, the multi-story building will feature a full-service bank branch with a spacious lobby, drive-thru ATM, a dedicated loan department, along with class-A space for lease to third parties.

“A little more than a year ago, we began building our Bryant Bank team in Athens with the goal of building a new state of the art Bryant Bank to serve the Athens and Limestone County community,” said Tommy Coblentz, Athens City President for Bryant Bank. “Today, I’m excited to see this goal become a reality by breaking ground on a historic location known by everyone in Athens and Limestone County.

“We look forward to bringing Bryant Bank’s legendary brand to our thriving community with a team focused on traditional community banking and customer service while providing the technology and innovation to meet the needs of our community”

Coblentz and his team have been serving the Athens community since September 2020. They are currently working at the loan production office out of the Greater Limestone County Chamber of Commerce.

Brasfield & Gorrie will be the general contractor, and Ward Scott Architecture and Morell Engineering will be working on the project as well.

Bryant Bank currently has 18 locations around the state.