--- title: Market Leadership Transition at Bank Independent description: David Mathews announces his retirement plans and Bob Thompson is tapped to guide growth as the Area President of Lawrence, Limestone and Morgan counties. image: https://blog.bibank.com/hubfs/David-Mathews-and-Bob-Thompson.jpg --- FDIC-Insured - Backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government [![bibank-logo](https://blog.bibank.com/hubfs/BankIndependent_October2025/Images/bibank-logo.svg "bibank-logo")](https://bibank.com/) [![svgviewer-png-output (11)](https://blog.bibank.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BankIndependent_October2025/Images/svgviewer-png-output%20(11).png?width=47&height=31&name=svgviewer-png-output%20(11).png "svgviewer-png-output (11)")](https://bibank.com/) - Personal - Deposit - [Compare Checking](https://bibankcom/personal/compare-checking) - [Independent](https://bibank.com/personal/independent-checking) - [Independent Plus](https://bibank.com/personal/independent-plus-checking) - [Independent Plus Student](https://bibank.com/personal/independent-plus-student-checking) - 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Common Searches - [Compare Personal Checking](https://bibank-2025.cms.banno-staging.com/personal/compare-checking) - [Contact Us](https://bibank-2025.cms.banno-staging.com/contact) - [Home Loans](https://bibank-2025.cms.banno-staging.com/personal/home-loans) - [Helping Hands Foundation](https://bibank-2025.cms.banno-staging.com/connect/helping-hands-foundation) - [Compare Business Checking](https://bibank-2025.cms.banno-staging.com/business/compare-checking) Routing Number 06​220​5791 ![Market Leadership Transition at Bank Independent](https://blog.bibank.com/hubfs/David-Mathews-and-Bob-Thompson.jpg) # Market Leadership Transition at Bank Independent - Home - [Bank Independent Blog](https://blog.bibank.com/blog) - Market Leadership Transition at Bank Independent [Ashley Balch](https://blog.bibank.com/blog/author/ashley-balch) 06/15/2023 [Press Releases](https://blog.bibank.com/blog/topic/press-releases) [0 Comments](https://blog.bibank.com/blog/market-leadership-transition-at-bank-independent#postComment) 2 Minutes **![David-Mathews-and-Bob-Thompson](https://blog.bibank.com/hs-fs/hubfs/David-Mathews-and-Bob-Thompson.jpg?width=619&height=425&name=David-Mathews-and-Bob-Thompson.jpg)Sheffield, Ala. – Friday, June 9, 2023** – Bank Independent, headquartered in Sheffield, Ala., is pleased to share an important leadership transition in the greater Decatur market as David Mathews announces his retirement plans and Bob Thompson is tapped to guide growth as the Area President of Lawrence, Limestone and Morgan counties. Current Area President David Mathews has served the Decatur community for over 16 years.  Mathews has worked closely with the Bank to forecast future needs for this key market ahead of his planned retirement in December of 2023.  He will transition into the role of Senior Commercial Lender, Morgan County while providing support for his existing customer relationships. Mathews will continue to report directly to Rick Wardlaw, CEO of Bank Independent and assume a relationship advisory role to the organization. “We are thankful for leaders like David Mathews with a thoughtful focus on the communities we serve,” said Rick Wardlaw, CEO of Bank Independent.  “He has made a positive difference for his customers in Lawrence, Limestone, and Morgan counties and remains a valued leader at Bank Independent.” Bob Thompson has been named Area President for Lawrence, Limestone and Morgan Counties.  He joined Bank Independent in December of 2020 as City President over the Athens/Limestone County market.  In his new role as Area President, Thompson will continue to report directly to Tim Singleton, the Eastern Region President and Senior Commercial Lender.  “Bob Thompson has established himself as a trusted leader,” continued Wardlaw. “He has grown successful relationships through his involvement in the community and business development efforts.  We are confident he will continue to be a strong advocate for this vibrant business market.” Thompson resides in Decatur and maintains deep ties with the local community. He is a business graduate of Athens State University and brings over 13 years of banking experience serving the communities of Huntsville, Athens, and Decatur. Thompson serves as board chairman for Huntsville Community Drum Line and as a board member to the Limestone County Economic Development Association. A formal community celebration for David Mathews will be coordinated closer to his retirement date.  The combined efforts of both Mathews and Thompson to transition leadership will create an excellent road map for the future success of the Lawrence, Limestone, and Morgan counties market.   **About Bank Independent** **Since 1947, Bank Independent has taken pride in serving the customers who count on us to be there for them when they need us most. With 30 traditional Sales Offices across North Alabama, an on-campus Deshler Tiger Branch, and the Digital Sales Office, we’re committed to providing the best service, designing the most desired products, and creating an overall excellent experience for each and every customer. As a local community bank, we believe in building relationships that run deep and last. All our team members reside in our local communities and believe in giving back through volunteering. To become part of a bank that makes a positive difference in people’s lives, visit us at bibank.com.** ### --- #### Tag: [Press Releases](https://blog.bibank.com/blog/topic/press-releases) #### Share: - [Follow us on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://blog.bibank.com/blog/market-leadership-transition-at-bank-independent) - [Follow us on Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://blog.bibank.com/blog/market-leadership-transition-at-bank-independent&text=Market%20Leadership%20Transition%20at%20Bank%20Independent) - [Follow us on Linkedin](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.bibank.com/blog/market-leadership-transition-at-bank-independent) - [Follow us on Pinterest](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://blog.bibank.com/blog/market-leadership-transition-at-bank-independent&text=Market%20Leadership%20Transition%20at%20Bank%20Independentdescription=Sheffield,%20Ala.%20–%20Friday,%20June%209,%202023%20–%20Bank%20Independent,%20headquartered%20in%20Sheffield,%20Ala.,%20is%20pleased%20to%20share%20an%20important%20leadership%20transition%20in%20the[...]&media=https://377014.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/377014/David-Mathews-and-Bob-Thompson.jpg) --- #### [Are Community Banks Better than Big Banks? 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