Freedom Bank was originally established as Belington Bank and opened for business on May 10, 1939. The initial equity in the bank was $30,000, consisting of 500 shares issued at $60.00 per share. In 1945, they paid the first dividend of $1.00 per share. In 1988, Freedom Bancshares, Inc., a one-bank holding company was established to give the bank flexibility to expand its banking activities. Since that time the bank has moved buildings three times but has remained in the heart of Belington, West Virginia. Our current main office opened on May 10, 2004, exactly sixty-five years to the day after the bank first opened.
Throughout our 80 plus years in business, the bank has expanded with four additional locations in Elkins (1991), Philippi (1992), Bridgeport (1995), and Buckhannon (1996). In June 2004, we changed our name from Belington Bank to Freedom Bank, as the original name was only reflective of one location.
Between our five Freedom Bank locations, we have an average of sixty employees who hold various positions and responsibilities. Our employees are a huge asset not only to the bank but to the communities in which we serve. They hold various roles throughout our community in organizations such as Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club, Rotary, Development Authority, Revitalization Committee, and a variety of other key groups.
Our employees understand how crucial it is to support these groups not only by volunteering but by making financial contributions. Some recent projects they have supported include Relay for Life, Jared Box Project, contributions to location community centers, and animal shelters. To raise these funds, employees contribute through payroll deductions, hold luncheons for a donation, organize and sponsor bingo, and operating concession stands at community events. Our employees also collect donation items of food, toys, and pet supplies on behalf of local groups throughout the year.
Freedom Bank proudly supports the youth livestock organizations in its market area, as well as 4-H groups, FFA, schools and youth-oriented teams and activities, because we realize these children are our future.
Freedom Bank’s Senior Leadership team has dedicated most of their careers to community banking. As active members of the Community Bankers of West Virginia and Independent Community Bankers Association, they work with other community bankers and lobbyist to protect the mission and values you’ve come to expect from your local bank.
Freedom Bank’s mission continues to be “to enhance the lives of the customers and the communities in which we serve”.
William (Bill) V. Ross joined Freedom Bank’s Board of Directors in January 2013. After serving 2 years as a Director, Bill was nominated and elected to serve on the Board of Directors of the Bank’s holding company, Freedom Bancshares, Inc. in May 2015. In June 2021, Bill was nominated and elected to serve as the Chair of Freedom Bancshares, Inc.
Bill worked for Mountaineer Gas for 25 years until his retirement in January 2022. After his retirement, Bill began working for Mike Ross, Inc., dealing primarily in mineral extraction, and land management.
Bill graduated from Davis & Elkins College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Market & Management. He went on to attend West Virginia Wesleyan College where he received his Master of Business Administration degree.
Bill and his wife, Kim have one daughter and reside in Randolph County.
Samuel D. Sedosky, Jr. joined Freedom Bank’s Board of Directors in February, 2013 and served as the Chair of the Audit Committee. After serving two years on the Bank’s Board of Directors, Sam was nominated and elected to also serve on the Board of Directors of the Bank’s holding company, Freedom Bancshares, Inc., in May of 2015. In June of 2016, Sam was elected to serve as the Chair of Freedom Bank.
Since 2014, Sam has been the sole owner of Sedosky & Associates, PLLC, a Certified Public Accountant firm, in Buckhannon. He has over twenty years of public accounting experience that includes taxation, accounting, and consulting, with a focus in small business and construction. He previously worked for CPA firms in West Virginia that focused on construction/manufacturing, banking, and small business. He also has ten years of experience in the private sector, where he was heavily involved in production in the textile industry in the United States and overseas.
Sam graduated from West Virginia University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in accounting. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the West Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants.
He and his wife, Amy, are the parents of a daughter and reside in Lewis County.
If you would like to contact either of these Chairpersons with comments or questions concerning Freedom Bancshares or Freedom Bank, you may e-mail them at chair@freedombankwv.com.
Freedom Bank considers our employees family and families take care of each other. Our full-time employees are offered the following benefits:
Responsible for various teller duties as directed by the Head Teller and/or Branch Manager.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Education, Work Experience and Skill Requirements:
Schedule: Full Time, Monday to Friday, Occasion Saturday Availability
Location: Freedom Bank Buckhannon Office, Buckhannon, West Virginia.
Interest in joining our team? Please email your resume to chair@freedombankwv.com or stop by one of our five locations to fill out an application. We look forward to working with you!
Belington, WV – June 2023: BauerFinancial, Inc., the Nation’s Premier Bank Rating Firm, proudly acknowledges that Freedom Bank has earned its highest, 5-Star rating for financial strength and stability. This rating was assigned in June 2023 based on March 31, 2023, financial data and signifies that Freedom Bank is one of the strongest banks in the nation.
“Bank with an institution that you can trust will be there for you when you need it,” suggests Karen Dorway, president of BauerFinancial. “We’ve all seen what can happen. Banks that are not well-rounded can run into trouble in a very short time. BauerFinancial’s star-ratings take into account a broad range of current and historical data to minimize that risk. That’s one way Freedom Bank’s 5-Star status differentiates it from other banks you may have heard about in the news… because who you bank with does matter.”
That includes banks like Freedom Bank. Since its inception in 1939, Freedom Bank has been a dedicated mainstay in this community. With a solid track record behind it, Freedom Bank has displayed the strength and fortitude to continue pressing forward in the same discerning manner that it has for the past 84 years.
Bank and Credit Union data compiled from financial data for the period noted, as reported to federal regulators. The financial data obtained from these sources is consistently reliable, although; the accuracy and completeness of the data cannot be guaranteed by BauerFinancial, Inc. Since 1983, BauerFinancial has relied upon this data in its judgment and in rendering its opinion (e.g. determination of star ratings). BauerFinancial, Inc. is not a financial advisor; it is an independent bank research firm. No institution can pay for or opt out of a BauerFinancial rating. Star-ratings are all available for free at bauerfinancial.com.
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BauerFinancial, Inc. P.O. Box 143520, Coral Gables, FL 33114 bauerfinancial.com
If you wish to view a copy of our annual report, you may do so by sending a request to customerservice@freedombankwv.com.