A new chapter in community banking is coming to Hoover as First Financial Bank prepares to open its newest branch on Montgomery Highway later this year. For a bank that has served Central Alabama since 1937, the expansion represents more than growth. It reflects a continued commitment to investing in the communities where its customers live, work, and build their futures.
Headquartered in nearby Bessemer, First Financial Bank currently operates eight locations throughout Jefferson, Shelby, Bibb, and Tuscaloosa counties, including branches in Bessemer, Hueytown, McCalla, Pelham, Woodstock, West Blocton, Centreville, and Vance. The Hoover branch will become the bank’s ninth location.
As a community bank with nearly $250 million in assets, First Financial Bank takes a different approach than many larger financial institutions. Deposits made by local customers are reinvested into the same communities through consumer loans, mortgages, and small business lending. That local focus helps fuel economic growth while creating stronger relationships between the bank and the people it serves.
Kyle Goodwin, CEO and President of First Financial Bank said, “Our focus is solely on consumers and small businesses. We are relationship focused instead of transaction focused.”
Brittney Fields
First Financial Bank's leadership team includes (L-R) Kevin Wood, Hoover branch manager; Kyle Goodwin, CEO and President; Milton Blair, Hoover/Pelham loan officer; and Neil Walker, EVP, COO, and chief lender.
That philosophy is one of the reasons Hoover felt like a natural fit for expansion. The new branch, located at 1560 Montgomery Highway, was purchased at the end of 2024. After months of planning, design approvals, and contractor selection, renovations officially began in early 2026. The project includes significant interior upgrades, exterior improvements, and new landscaping, with the bank targeting an opening in the August to September timeframe.
The first floor of the two-story building will house the full-service branch, offering traditional banking services including deposit account opening, deposit transactions, lending services, safe deposit boxes, drive-thru service, and an interactive teller machine. A dedicated loan officer will serve both the Hoover and Pelham markets, helping individuals and small businesses navigate everything from home purchases to commercial lending needs.
Leading the Hoover branch will be Kevin Wood, while Milton Blair will serve as the Hoover/Pelham loan officer. Both are currently based in Pelham and are already connecting with future Hoover customers ahead of the branch opening.
For bank leadership, the expansion into Hoover is also deeply personal.
Goodwin, who has lived in Hoover for years, says that the move is about more than business growth. After spending time working for a large regional bank before joining First Financial Bank nearly 12 years ago, he saw firsthand how community banking can make a meaningful impact in people’s lives.
That personal connection to Hoover helped shape the vision for the new branch. The bank hopes to become an active part of the community by supporting local schools and sports teams, participating in civic events, and hosting financial literacy programs in its new conference space.
“Hoover is thriving, and we want to be part of its future,” Goodwin shared.
For residents and small business owners alike, the arrival of First Financial Bank brings another local option focused on relationships, accessibility, and investing back into the community it serves.