CedarStone Bank Plans Expansion into Davidson County: Effort to be headed by Banking Industry Veteran William E. (Willie) McDonald

The move, subject to regulatory approval, comes ahead of schedule for the Wilson County based bank. Bank executives also announced that the planned expansion will be led by banking industry veteran Willie McDonald, currently Senior Vice President and Business Development Officer for Regions Bank.

Prior to his association with Regions Bank, McDonald’s banking career spanned some 52 years with Third National Bank /SunTrust Bank in the Donelson and Hermitage market, where he served as Senior Vice President.

Although the exact location is still to be announced, CedarStone Bank executives confirm that the planned expansion will take place along the Highway 70 corridor where Wilson County residents commute into and out of Nashville.

“While eastern Davidson County and western Wilson County are two very distinct communities, the two compliment one another, so it makes sense for us to have a presence in the Donelson and Hermitage areas. We know this will only enhance our abilities to serve our customers,” said Bob McDonald, president and CEO of CedarStone Bank. “CedarStone Bank is honored to have someone with such a distinguished banking career as Willie McDonald joining our team.”

The expansion and hiring also reunites Willie McDonald with Hank Stuart, CedarStone’s Senior Vice President and original member of the bank’s management team. Both worked together for more than 10 years with SunTrust Bank in the Donelson and Hermitage market.

“I am excited to be working with Willie again. He is an excellent addition to our expanding CedarStone Bank team for the Hermitage and Donelson communities,” Stuart said. “Willie defines what community banking is all about.”

At both Regions Bank and SunTrust Bank, Willie McDonald was responsible for business development and expanding the bank’s presence in the Donelson-Hermitage area. His new role with CedarStone Bank will be similar, leading the bank’s initiatives in new business development and loan production for the new expansion. He has deep roots in the Donelson-Hermitage area being twice named as the Businessman of the Year and receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Donelson-Hermitage Chamber of Commerce and Citizen of the Year by the Donelson Civitan Club. Willie McDonald serves on the Board of Directors for a number of area Boards, Associations and Foundations including the Ladies Hermitage Association, Senior Citizens Foundation, Boy Scouts of America, Donelson-Hermitage YMCA, American Cancer Society, Chairman of the McKendree Village Foundation, Goodpasture Christian School Presidents Board, and the Nashville Convention Center Commission. Previously, he served on the Nashville Electric Service Board and the Metropolitan Industrial Development Board, among others.

“CedarStone’s progress and the quick development of the bank’s presence in Wilson County, makes this an excellent opportunity for someone with my experience to offer community banking services to the residents of the Donelson and Hermitage areas. I am truly looking forward to this opportunity,” he said.

CedarStone Bank is headquartered in Lebanon and was founded in 2004 and has branch locations in Lebanon and Mt. Juliet. For additional information, call 615-443-1411 or visit the website at www.CedarStoneBank.com.