Knoxville, TN — SmartBank is proud to announce that we have been Certified™ by Great Place To Work® for the first time this year. This prestigious recognition is based entirely on what our associates say about their experience working at SmartBank. This year, 94% of our associates said SmartBank is a great place to work—significantly higher than the average U.S. company. You can view our profile on the Great Place To Work® website here.

Great Place To Work® is the global authority on workplace culture, employee experience, and the leadership behaviors that drive market-leading revenue, employee retention, and increased innovation.

“Great Place To Work Certification is a highly coveted achievement that requires consistent and intentional dedication to the overall employee experience,” says Sarah Lewis-Kulin, Vice President of Global Recognition at Great Place To Work. She emphasizes that Certification is the only official recognition determined by the real-time feedback of employees regarding their company culture. “By successfully earning this recognition, SmartBank clearly stands out as one of the top companies to work for, providing an exceptional workplace environment for its employees.”

“We are thrilled to be Great Place To Work-Certified™,” said Billy Carroll, President and CEO of SmartBank. “Our associates are the heart of our organization, and their commitment and passion are what drive our success. We celebrate and thank them for everything they do to make SmartBank an incredible place to work.”

Becca Boyd, SmartBank’s Chief People Officer, remarked, “The bedrock of our achievements is undoubtedly our great associates. Cultivating the right culture paves the way for unparalleled client service, a resilient brand, and a team of driven associates. Achieving this certification validates the nurturing and familial atmosphere we’ve established here at SmartBank.”

At SmartBank, our success is rooted in hiring exceptional people, delivering top-tier client service, expanding strategically, and upholding a careful approach to lending. We remain committed to continuous improvement and looking for strong and strategic opportunities for growth that benefit our shareholders, clients, and associates.

According to Great Place To Work research, job seekers are 4.5 times more likely to find a great boss at a Certified great workplace. Additionally, employees at Certified workplaces are 93% more likely to look forward to coming to work, and are twice as likely to be paid fairly, earn a fair share of the company’s profits, and have a fair chance at promotion.