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First Financial Bank expands in Nashville
Presented by First Financial Bank
First Financial is growing, and through a partnership with CedarStone Bank, they’re expanding their presence in the Nashville area. | Photo courtesy of First Financial Bank
First Financial Bank is growing in Nashville. Through its merger with CedarStone Bank, First Financial has expanded its presence in the region, bringing its long-standing philosophy of relationship banking to more businesses across the city.
With nearly 200 years of service, First Financial operates with a disciplined approach: building long-term relationships, prioritizing sound financial practices, and guiding clients with clarity through every stage of growth.
For Nashville business leaders, growth comes with weighty decisions. Capital investments. Commercial real estate. Managing cash flow. Preparing for succession. Each move requires more than a transaction — it requires perspective.
When you work with First, you gain commercial banking expertise for growing and established businesses, treasury, and digital capabilities that strengthen cash flow, wealth, and succession planning strategies designed to protect what you have built. More importantly, you gain a team that listens first, understands your goals, and stands beside you as decisions unfold.
They believe banking should feel clear, not complicated. Strategic, not transactional. CedarStone built strong relationships in this market through personal service and community connection. That commitment continues under the First Financial name, reinforced by a history of steady guidance and disciplined growth.
If you are evaluating your current banking relationship or planning your next phase of growth, they welcome the conversation.
Ultium Cells is investing $70 million to shift its Spring Hill plant from EV batteries to energy storage systems, driven by rising demand from utilities and AI-powered data centers. About 700 laid-off workers are returning as production resumes next quarter, signaling a broader industry pivot beyond electric vehicles. (Nashville Business Journal)
Announced
After nearly two decades at the helm, Dr. Jeff Balser is stepping down as president and CEO of Vanderbilt Health and dean of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, effective Dec. 31. Under his leadership, the system grew to 45,000 employees, 8 hospitals, 200+ outpatient locations, and $12.8 billion in revenue. (Nashville Business Journal)
Job
Your next big role? The West End Home Foundation in Nashville is seeking a President and CEO to lead strategic grantmaking, advocacy, and partnerships supporting older adults. Salary is $175,000–$190,000. Candidates should have nonprofit leadership experience and a passion for advancing aging with dignity. Applications are due Wednesday, April 8.
Real Estate
A portion of the former Starwood Amphitheater site is now for sale, with The Commons at Starwood listed by Cushman & Wakefield Sunbelt Multifamily Advisory Group. The 235-lot residential site is part of a mixed-use development featuring retail, office, industrial space, and an entertainment venue, creating new opportunities for developers and investors. (Nashville Business Journal)
Number
$11.5 billion. That’s how much US recorded music revenue reached in 2025, with streaming accounting for most of that total, according to the Recording Industry Association of America. Nashville’s music industry alone generates billions annually and supports tens of thousands of jobs, reinforcing the city’s status as a major economic engine in music. (Music Row)
Leadership
Nashville companies are seeing a wave of leadership moves, from Bass, Berry & Sims adding four associates to new executive appointments across healthcare, manufacturing, and the arts—signaling continued growth across key industries. Browse more updates from The Nashville Ledger.
Award
The Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) announced the final 2026 AIMP Nashville Awards nominees. Leading the pack are Johnny Clawson with four nominations and Jessie Jo Dillon with three. The nominee-only ceremony is Tuesday, April 14 at Analog at the Hutton Hotel, hosted by Storme Warren. (MusicRow)
Biz
Tennessee’s billionaires added $20.7 billion in wealth over the past year, led by Thomas Frist Jr. and family at $41.1 billion. Thirteen residents made Forbes’ 2026 list, underscoring Nashville’s growing concentration of wealth and influence in healthcare, business, and investment sectors. (Nashville Business Journal)
Thought Leadership
Ryan Wood returned to Nashville after Wall Street and South Carolina roles to lead Colliers’ local office. In a recent Nashville Business Journal Q+A, she shares how the city’s growth, family support, and career opportunities brought her back to guide one of the city’s top brokerages.
Events
Agenda
Editor’s Pick
Job News Nashville Job Fair, Multi-Industry Hiring Event | Wednesday, March 25 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Millennium Maxwell House Hotel | Free | Explore new career paths and connect with top employers across industries — just bring your resume and come ready to make a strong first impression.
Network+ Women: She Means Business | Thursday, March 26 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Saint Elle | $75+ | Connect with Nashville’s business community at this Women’s Month edition of Network+, featuring Mallory Ervin and a showcase of women-owned businesses.
Tuesday, March 24
Tin Pan South | Tuesday, March 24-Saturday, March 28 | Times vary | Free+
We asked who’s a woman in Nashville making waves right now, and wow — you delivered. Here are the first 28 local women leading companies, launching ideas, and shaping the region’s future, with many more to come.
Note: Submissions have been lightly edited for grammar, clarity, and length. Psst... stay tuned for the next batch of women leaders.
Abby Trotter, Founding Partner, Hall Strategies | Trotter promotes Nashville and Tennessee through events like the Music City Hot Chicken Festival and Southern Festival of Books, building community engagement and supporting local initiatives.
Annika Baylis, Owner + Founder, Prickly Pear Coffee Co. | Bayliss turned Prickly Pear Coffee Co. from a folding-table setup during the pandemic into a thriving multi-location Nashville brand, blending business growth with community impact through faith, mentorship, and connection. | Nominated by Ellie S.
Caitlin Shirock, Founder + Owner, Caitlin Shirock Gallery | Shirock showcases her art locally and online and recently opened her own gallery. She inspires women and founders to turn creativity and passion into successful business ventures. | Nominated by Aly W.
Christy Hunter, Co-owner, Photowalk Your Travel Nashville | Hunter is “Christy the Connector,” building her business while lifting up others in Nashville’s hospitality scene. She fosters collaboration, introducing business owners to one another and creating opportunities for collective growth. | Nominated by Shannon L. and Gina P.
WestPark Exchange | 2,663-70,296 sqft | $29/sqft/yr | WestPark Exchange offers turnkey office spaces with prime access, new renovations, and strong branding opportunities in a thriving Nashville suburb.
Werthan Building at Taylor Place | 4,524-11,254 | Call for rate | Taylor Place in Historic Germantown offers Class A office space with industrial character, large windows, and modern amenities in a vibrant mixed-use development.
Washington Square | 1,425-72,185 | Call for rate | This historic downtown property features renovated office space with two atriums, a conference room, fitness center, on-site management, security, and nearby 1,500-space parking.
Industrial, for sale
2304 Eugenia Ave. | 4,200 sqft | $1.6 million | This two-story industrial property in Nashville, under construction on a 0.33-acre lot with IR zoning, offers convenient access to commuter rail, Nashville International Airport, and regional freight transport, making it ideal for investors or owner-users.
Speaking of powerful women... have you met the Nashville founders on Inc.’s 2026 Female Founders 500? Seven Music City entrepreneurs made the list of women leading companies and nonprofits across the US.
And as for our reader-submitted picks, there were so many we had to split the love — stay tuned for the next batch of women making waves in Nashville.
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