About this book:

*First Horizon National: The Story of An American Company* offers a comprehensive journey through over 160 years of the financial institution now known as First Horizon Corporation. Beginning with its founding as First National Bank of Memphis amidst the turmoil of the Civil War in 1864, the book chronicles its remarkable resilience through epidemics, economic depressions, and major global conflicts. It details the bank's deep roots in Memphis, its strategic expansion into suburban branch banking, and its transformation into a statewide leader under the First Tennessee brand through pivotal mergers and acquisitions.

The narrative highlights First Horizon's pioneering spirit, from its early involvement in the Federal Reserve System to its revolutionary First Express check-clearing service in the 1980s, which solidified its reputation as a financial innovator. It traces the company's ambitious diversification into mortgages, insurance, and brokerage services, culminating in its "All Things Financial" slogan and the strategic rebrand to First Horizon National Corporation to signal its broader interstate ambitions. The book covers the company's navigation of the 2008 financial crisis, its strategic divestitures, and its subsequent aggressive growth through transformative mergers with Capital Bank Financial Corp. and Iberiabank Corporation, which significantly expanded its footprint across the Southeastern U.S. Finally, it delves into the high-stakes, yet ultimately terminated, TD Bank acquisition, examining the company's current financial performance, unified brand identity, and enduring commitment to its people, leaders, and community.

What You'll Find Inside:

• First Horizon's Enduring Resilience: Discover how the company navigated major historical upheavals, from the Civil War and yellow fever epidemics to the Great Depression and the 2008 financial crisis, consistently adapting and emerging stronger.
• Strategic Evolution and Diversification: Explore the transformation from a local Memphis bank to a multi-faceted financial services powerhouse, including pioneering mortgage services, innovative check-clearing (First Express), and wealth management.
• Major Mergers and Geographic Expansion: Learn about the pivotal acquisitions of Capital Bank and Iberiabank, which dramatically expanded First Horizon's footprint, assets, and market share across the high-growth Southeastern United States.
• Innovation in Branding and Technology: Understand the shift from a local identity to a national brand, culminating in the unified 'First Horizon' name, alongside significant investments in digital transformation and operational efficiency.
• Community Commitment and Leadership: Delve into First Horizon's deep-rooted culture of social responsibility, philanthropic efforts through the First Horizon Foundation, and the impact of its leadership and employee-centric approach.

Who's It For:

This book is for anyone interested in American business history, particularly the evolution of the banking industry through significant historical events and economic cycles. It will appeal to financial professionals, students of business and economics, and general readers curious about how a company can adapt and thrive for over 160 years while maintaining strong community ties.