First Metro Bank, along with its Board of Directors, is proud to announce the promotion of two well-deserving employees, Scott Haataja and Tony Brewer.
Scott Haataja began his banking career in 1995 and spent ten years building an impressive resume before joining First Metro Bank in May 2005 as Vice President and Commercial Lending Officer. His portfolio grew significantly, and he was promoted to Senior Vice President in 2012. In 2015, Scott was named Branch Manager of the Pine Street office and Florence City President, which provided him with the additional responsibility of a supervisory role over all three of the Florence locations. In 2017, his role grew once more when he was named Lauderdale County President and became responsible for two additional First Metro Bank locations. Scott is a graduate of the University of North Alabama where he received a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Finance. Scott has also received many accolades throughout his banking career, including graduating from the Tennessee Bankers Association Southeastern School of Advanced Commercial Lending, the Alabama Bankers Association Alabama Banking School, and the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University.
As a native of Lauderdale County, Scott serves the community in various ways through multiple non-profit organizations. He currently serves on the following boards and committees: Industrial Development Board of the City of Florence, Florence Lauderdale Industrial Expansion Committee, NACOLG Revolving Loan Fund Committee, Shoals Home Builders Association, and the Shoals Entrepreneurial Center Board of Directors.
Scott’s wife, Alisha, is an established interior designer and played an intricate part in the design, decoration, and furnishing of the First Metro Bank Athens location, Pine Street location in Florence, and East Avalon location in Muscle Shoals. Scott and Alisha have one son, Evan, who is an electrical engineer in Huntsville, Alabama.
“Upon the retirement of our previous Chief Lending Officer, Tommy Darby, we knew immediately who would best be able to fill the role that this extensive position requires,” said Rodney Howard, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Scott has shown immense dedication and service to First Metro Bank over the past fourteen years. Because of his commitment to the bank and the relationships he has with our customers, the Board of Directors and I have full confidence he is the right choice and we know he will continue to contribute to the success of First Metro Bank for years to come.”
Scott assumed his new role as Chief Lending Officer of First Metro Bank in March 2020.
In conjunction with Scott’s promotion, the Bank appointed a new Lauderdale County President and Branch Manager of the Pine Street office. Tony Brewer is assuming the responsibility of supervising the five branches that are located throughout Lauderdale County and will oversee the Pine Street office located in Downtown Florence.
Tony began his banking career in 1996 and was a well-known commercial lender when he joined First Metro Bank in March 2015 as Senior Vice President and Commercial Loan Officer. Tony is a graduate of Northwest-Shoals Community College and Sue Bennett College where he received a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. Additionally, he is a graduate of Mid-South School of Banking and the Stonier Graduate School of Banking.
Tony and his wife, Bridgett, have a special place in their hearts for the Shoals area and make every effort to give back to the community. Bridgett works as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant for Kindred Healthcare, while Tony is very active in the community through his involvement as a board member of the Greater Shoals Sheffield Rotary Club, Shoals Scholar Dollars, and the Cramer Children’s Center.
“Tony has created an extensive, loyal customer base due to the valuable service he provides,” stated Scott Haataja, Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer. “It has been such a pleasure working beside him for the past five years and I have no doubt that he will do an amazing job in his new role as Lauderdale County President and Branch Manager of our Pine Street office in Florence.”
First Metro Bank is thankful for outstanding employees, such as Scott and Tony, who embody the First Metro Bank brand and always put our customers first. Congratulations to these deserving men on their promotions and achievements.