78 Photo Essay: Kristie Tuggle

Branch Manager, Pinnacle Bank in Sumiton

Words by McKenzie Wade | Image by Blakeney Clouse 

Sometimes in life, open doors lead to unexpected places. Such was the case for Kristie Tuggle, Branch Manager at Pinnacle Bank in Sumiton. 

Kristie grew up in the Tutwiler community in south Walker County, and after graduating high school at T.W. Martin, she enrolled in Walker State Technical College. While there, she was given the opportunity to interview for a job at First National Bank of Jasper. In 1991, she got the job and began working in her first position at a bank. 

To add to her experience, she took all the American Banker Association Certificate classes and worked in multiple positions. In 2003, she graduated from the Alabama Banking School, where she learned the ins and outs of how to successfully run a bank. 

After 19 years at First National, she accepted the branch manager job at Pinnacle Bank in Sumiton and has held that title for the last 10 years. 

On a day-to-day basis, Kristie can be found making loans, communicating with customers, and overseeing all the branch activity within the bank. Her favorite part of the job is working with customers, most of whom have been banking with her for many years. From helping a newlywed couple buy a house to helping someone purchase their dream car, Kristie has a passion and love for the work she does.

 “Our customers are our friends,” she explains. “When you work for a small community bank, you see these people at the grocery store, at school functions—you see them everywhere you go.”

Of course, no job is without its challenges, but for Kristie, the best parts of her job greatly outweigh the few obstacles that arise from time to time. 

Now with around 29 years of banking experience, Kristie attributes her success to always surrounding herself with an incredible team. When asked if she ever expected to be where she is today, she responds, “It just all kind of happened. I found I was good at customer service and my career just evolved. And for that I am thankful.” 78