Freedom Bank

Freedom Bank is a community-focused financial institution serving West Virginia with a network of five offices located in Belington, Elkins, Philippi, Bridgeport, and Buckhannon. Originally established as Belington Bank in 1939, the organization rebranded to Freedom Bank in 2004 to better reflect its broader regional identity and mission. The bank... operates under Freedom Bancshares, Inc., a one-bank holding company formed in 1988, and maintains its primary operations center at its main office in Belington, which opened in 2004 and houses all support functions for the organization. With a combined workforce of fifty-nine employees across its five locationsincluding ten part-time staff membersFreedom Bank has built a reputation for stability and deep community engagement. The bank's leadership and employees are actively involved in local civic organizations including the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary, Kiwanis, Development Authority, and Revitalization Committees, demonstrating a sustained commitment to regional economic development and social responsibility. A notable example of this commitment is the bank's employee-led fundraising efforts for Relay for Life, through which Freedom Bank employees have consistently contributed the highest amount of funds to cancer research initiatives in Barbour County over a five-year period, with contributions made through payroll deductions and other organized campaigns. Despite facing significant operational challenges, including a major flooding event in 1985 when the Tygart Valley River inundated the original Belington location with 5.5 feet of water, Freedom Bank has demonstrated resilience and continuity in serving its communities. The bank's expansion strategy, which began with its first branch opening in Elkins in 1991 and continued through the mid-1990s, reflects its growth trajectory and commitment to increasing accessibility for customers across the region.Read More