Franklin County Times: 2023 Best of the Best Winners

BEST OF THE BEST: CB&S BANK

For more than 100 years, CB&S Bank has been serving the community. Founded in 1906 in Russellville, CB&S, a privately held community bank, is this year’s Reader’s Choice award for best bank

We are extremely honored and humbled to be chosen as Franklin County Times Best of the Best Bank,” explained Greg Batchelor, Chairman of the Board. “Franklin County has been great to CB&S Bank for many years, and we are looking forward to many more years serving this amazing community. I am also thankful to our great management and staff who work diligently each day seeking to exceed the expectations of our customers on a daily basis.”

With three locations in Russellville and 54 elsewhere in Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee, the bank continues to grow in assets and expand in services, with offerings including checking and savings accounts, as well as certificates of deposit, IRA accounts, loans and digital banking, first and secondary mortgages and more. They also have a new fleet of interactive ITMs with video-teller capabilities.

Primary operations are managed out of the downtown Russellville location. The bank also has an Operations Center and a Call Center in Russellville. The Call Center

receives all the inbound calls, and the Operations Center works directly with technology and the back-room operations of the bank. CB&S has 550 employees across their footprint.

“We started really growing in the nineties, and now we’re over $2.4 billion in assets,” explained Matt Cooper, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Retail Officer. He’s been with the bank more than 30 years, getting his start at just 16 years old, growing in his responsibilities and position through the years.

“A predominant amount of our workforce is in Franklin County,” he added. This is a source of pride to the Russellville native, having grown up right here in our community. “Other Franklin County branches are located in Phil Campbell, Hodges and Red Bay,” Matt noted.

At CB&S Bank, they pride themselves in caring for the community and helping people work to realize their goals. Cooper said the bank’s core values include professionalism, inclusion, respectfulness, accountability and integrity.

“We focus on growth and building relationships with our customers,” Cooper continued. “We have a full line of banking

products available through our app and other online banking services, including remote deposit. We have a good team, and I’m proud to be part of the growth of the bank and the increasing possibilities we are able to offer the communities we serve. Cooper said the bank’s strong experience combined with its continually increasing assets allow the bank to help the communities they serve with their financial needs and goals, noting CB&S Bank can do “all of the things that a brokerage company could do.”

“We don’t view what we do as transactional,” Cooper added. “We view it as relationships with our community members and helping them meet their financial goals. We value having a personal approach here.”

CB&S President and CEO, Mike Ross, described receiving the reward as an honor. “CB&S Bank is fortunate to have our roots in Franklin County and to have served this community since 1906. Thank you to the citizens of Franklin County for choosing CB&S Bank as the best bank for the Best of the Best reader’s choice awards. Also, thank you to our wonderful employees that are dedicated to the mission of enriching the lives of our customers.”

Boss

Tony James

Breakfast

Jack’s Bridal Registry

Maggie J’s Brunch

Doe’s Eat Place

Buffet

Panda

Business Curb Appeal

Maggie J’s Boutique

Used Car Dealer

Brian’s Auto

Carwash

JoBabies

Catfish

Swamp John’s Cellular Phone Store

AT&T

Chicken

Pilgrim’s Place

Chicken Wings

Pilgrim’s Place

Children’s Clothing Store

Maggie J’s Boutique

Chinese Panda

Chiropractor

Rick Wooten

Dessert

Pilgrim’s Place

Discount Store

Discount Warehouse

Drug Store

Family Pharmacy

Dry Cleaner

Grissom’s Dry Cleaning

Elected Official

Jamie Kiel

Electronics Store

Triple H – Red Bay

Entertainment Venue

Roxy Theater

Equipment Rental

Kiel Equipment

Event Planner

Cassie Medley

Event Venue

A.W. Todd Center

Eye Care

Campbell’s Vision

Fast Food

Taco Bell

Fast Food Drive Thru

Taco Bell

Fine Dining/Romantic

Doe’s Eat Place

Family Physician

Melanie Malone

Fishing/Hunting

Supplies

Profound Outdoors

Florist

Russellville Florist & Gifts

Footwear Store

Shoe Show

Funeral Home

Spry Memorial

Furniture Store

Miller’s Affordable Furniture

Furniture/ Appliance Rental

Aaron’s

Garage Door

Reeds Garage Doors

Garden/Nursery

Porter’s Garden Center

Grocery Store

Big Star

Guest Service Agent

Cassie Goodwin

Hair Salon

Hair Palace

Hamburger

Pilgrim’s Place

Hardwood Flooring

Store

Economy Carpets

Health Fitness Club

American Health & Fitness

Health/Nutrition Food Store

Russellville Nutrition

Heating/AC Service

Newell Plumbing & Heating

Home Décor

Maggie J’s

Home Healthcare Provider

Centerwell Home Home Improvement/ Hardware

Green’s Dependable Hardware

Hotdog

Frosty Inn

Hotel

Best Western

Insurance Agent

Tony James

Investment Firm

First Metro Bank

Italian Food

Pizza Hut

Jewelry Store

Artistic Jewelry

Ladies Clothing Store

Maggie J’s

Landscape/Lawn Care

Burn’s Lawn & Landscape

Law Firm

Bedford, Rogers, Bowling & McReynolds, PC

Local Music Group/Band

Kerry Gilbert

Lunch Special Pilgrim’s Place

Marine Mechanic

Freemon Marine

Pastor/Preacher

Chase Dowdy

Personal Stylist

Kathy Black

Personal Trainer

Rickey Smith

Pest Control

Terminex

Pet Groomer

PAWSH

Photographer

Scotty Kennedy

Physical Therapy

Encore – Kay Lockridge

Pizza

Papa John’s

Places to Work (over 20 employees)

Community Spirit Bank

Places to Work (under 20 employees)

First Metro Bank

Plumber

Hoyt Lane & Sons

Preschool

Little Tigers

Real Estate Agent

Michelle Davis

Real Estate Company

Café Realty

Rental Place

Pilgrim’s Rental Property

Thank

Restaurant Manager

Melinda Smith

Ribs Pilgrim’s Place

Salad Bar

43 Grill

Seafood

Doe’s Eat Place

Senior Living Center The Cottage

Shaved Ice Monchis

AL

RANCHO has been serving the Franklin Co Community since 2001 and with a new administration and ownership since 2016 At Rancho we take pride in irst of all using the best quality ingredients to prepare our food and also cook everything with the highest level of integrity We want to thank all our friends and customers for the constant support patience & loyalty throughout the past few years specially through COVID

Southern Cooking

Hilltop Diner

Sporting Goods Store

Hibbett Sports

Steak

Doe’s Eat Place

Subs

Subway

Sweet Tea

Bojangles

Tanning Salon

Freemon’s Fitness

Tattoo/Ink

North AL Ink

Temporary Employment

Hamilton Career Center

Therapeutic Massage

Massage by Tiffany Thorne

Thrift Store

Pink Panda

Tire Dealer

Holcomb Tire

Towing Service

Hick’s Towing

Transmission Repair

Russellville Transmission

Travel Agency

Joyous Adventures with Cassie Goodwin

Unique Gift Shop

Maggie J’s

Thank You!

Country Cottage would like to thank everyone who voted for us, as well as our amazing staff, residents, and resident families who make up the heart of the Cottage.

We are extremely proud to serve the Russellville community and appreciate the love and support we have received over the years!

Thank you for voting us

Best Wedding

Reception / Location

Waiter/Waitress

Kandi Parker

Walk-In Medical Clinic

Mission Medical

Waste Services

Franklin County Solid Waste

Wedding Reception / Location

Hillside Wedding and Events

Weight Loss Center

Kelly’s Urgent Care

Window Store

A&L Building Supply

Youth Pastor

Joel Davis

and maintain your independence. From our hearts to your home, we're grateful to walk alongside you towards your best health..

Thank you for voting us best used car dealership in Franklin County!

We have been in business since 1991 and look forward to serving our community for many more years to come!