Chris Allen began his banking career after earning a B.S. in Purchasing, Procurement/Acquisitions, and Contract Management from Athens State University. After two years in retail banking, he transitioned to commercial banking in 2015 and has spent 11 years developing and managing a large commercial client portfolio. He joined Story Financial Partners in 2025, leading the bank’s expansion into Alabama. Chris serves on multiple civic and nonprofit boards and was named a Business Alabama Rising Star of Banking in 2024. He lives in Huntsville with his wife, Samantha, and their three children, Willa, Alice Anne, and Sanders.

What do you love most about living and working in Huntsville?

Being a Huntsville native, I have truly enjoyed seeing the growth of our community and the surrounding areas. I love hosting my colleagues from other states and I always hear how amazing our city is from them; it makes me proud to be from Huntsville.

What advice would you give your 22-year-old self?

Don’t be afraid to speak up and ask for advice on how to handle different situations as they arise. You will be amazed at the wisdom people are willing to share when you ask!

What motivates you on hard days?

I am so blessed to have a tremendous group of people that work alongside me. When I am navigating difficult situations at work, I lean on them to get me through whatever is thrown at me that day. I am truly grateful to have each of them on my team.

How do you like to spend your time outside of work?

We are fortunate to live in a town that is at the forefront of great live music, and I love going to concerts. I also recently dove headfirst into vinyl record collecting after my wife surprised me with a home audio setup from AVIQ. I’ve started to frequent the stops on the Huntsville Vinyl Record Trail and I’m becoming good friends with the folks at Vertical House Records, Black Rose Records, and Maxwell’s Music.

Who has been the biggest influence on your career, and what valuable lesson did they teach you?

My grandfather, Dr. Robert Hall, passed away last year and had a monumental impact on my life and career. From being the oldest individual to obtain his doctorate from UAH, a published author, and building a strong multifamily real estate portfolio, he was always determined and stayed consistent in his drive for success. I was lucky to have an example like that in my life and a constant reminder to be persistent in your dreams.