Community bank offering deposit accounts, personal loans, and specialized agricultural/business lending since 1910. Operates multiple branches across Alabama.
Data compiled from public sources · Rating from CreditDoc methodology
First Southern State Bank has served its community since 1910, establishing itself as a regional financial institution with a focus on personalized banking relationships. The bank operates multiple branch locations across Alabama, including offices in Cullman, Stevenson, Scottsboro, and Fort Payne, maintaining a community-oriented approach to banking. The bank offers a comprehensive range of financial products including deposit accounts (checking, savings, CDs, IRAs), personal loans at competitive rates, and specialized agricultural and business lending.
Their digital offerings include online banking, a digital suite, e-statements, and enrollment services. 41% APY on 60-month IRAs. First Southern distinguishes itself through personalized service and relationship-based lending.
Testimonials emphasize staff friendliness, responsive communication, and willingness to work with customers on credit improvement and financial restructuring. The bank explicitly highlights credit-building loan options and describes a culture where loan officers like Chris Miller and Cole Justice provide professional, thorough service. Their agricultural and business lending division emphasizes flexible terms, competitive rates, and rapid decision-making tailored to business clients.
As a regional community bank, First Southern operates with standard banking limitations: physical branch presence limited to specific Alabama areas, typical banking hours constraints, and products structured around traditional banking rather than specialized fintech solutions. The bank does not appear to offer investment advisory services, insurance products, or wealth management beyond basic lending relationships. Customer base appears primarily local to their service areas rather than national.
This is state-level context for Banks consumers in Stevenson, AL. It does not confirm that First Southern State Bank or this specific location is licensed.
State regulator
Alabama State Banking Department
Consumer protection
Source: CreditDoc state-law summary and listed public regulator resources. Verify licensing directly with the listed state regulator before relying on a provider.
First Southern State Bank offers 12 services including Deposit accounts (checking, savings, money market), Certificates of Deposit (CDs) with rates up to 3.39% APY, Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) with rates up to 3.41% APY, Personal loans at competitive interest rates, Agricultural lending with specialized terms, and 7 more.
First Southern State Bank is best suited for Small business owners and farmers needing flexible, relationship-based lending with rapid approval, Customers in Alabama communities (Cullman, Stevenson, Scottsboro, Fort Payne areas) seeking personal relationship banking, Individuals with previous credit challenges looking to rebuild credit through responsive lenders, Local depositors seeking competitive rates on CDs and savings accounts with personalized service.
Key strengths: Established institution with 110+ year history (since 1910), providing demonstrated stability; Personalized loan service with emphasis on credit-building and financial restructuring for customers with challenged credit; Competitive deposit rates: 3.39% APY on 60-month CDs and 3.41% APY on 60-month IRAs. Areas to consider: Limited geographic service area restricted to Alabama branches; not available for customers outside their service regions; No evidence of investment services, wealth management, or retirement planning services on website.
In the Banks category, comparable providers include 22nd State Banking Company, Amerifirst Bank, Auburnbank. Each company has different strengths — compare services, pricing, and consumer complaint records to find the best fit.
CreditDoc Diagnosis
First Southern State Bank is best for Alabama residents and business owners within their service areas seeking traditional community banking with personalized relationships and specialized agricultural/business lending. The main caveat is geographic limitation to Alabama branches and lack of advanced fintech features or national availability that larger banks provide.
22nd State Bank is a regional community bank serving South Alabama with personal banking, business solutions, and wealth management services through online and in-person channels.
Best for: South Alabama residents and business owners seeking personalized, relationship-based community banking, Small business owners who value in-person guidance and local decision-making from their financial institution
AmeriFirst Bank is a community-focused regional bank in Central Alabama offering personal and business checking, savings, loans, and CDs with emphasis on local decision-making and personalized service.
Best for: Central Alabama small business owners who value personal relationships with loan officers, Individual customers in the AmeriFirst service area seeking community-focused banking
FDIC-insured bank based in Auburn, Alabama offering personal and business checking, savings, loans, mortgages, and digital banking services.
Best for: Auburn, Alabama residents and local business owners seeking community banking relationships, Families interested in financial literacy education through Greenlight partnership programs
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