SHEFFIELD – Bank Independent, the award-winning financial institution focused on community relations, continues to upgrade its workforce with another promotion and a new position.

Kris Bell, a veteran with a vast background in the banking industry, has been named business development officer for Madison County.

“The creation of the business development officer role demonstrates our commitment to meeting deposit demand through relationship-based business development,” CEO Rick Wardlaw said. “As business development officer, Kris will serve as an ambassador of the bank’s mission, vision, and values within the communities we serve.

“With her talent for building strong relationships, we are confident in her ability to fulfill the responsibilities in this new position.”

Bell will be responsible for generating long-term, sustainable core deposit growth by serving as a brand ambassador and nurturing new and potential deposit relationships within Madison County.

She joined Bank Independent in October 2020 and has more than 20 years of extensive industry experience, specializing in commercial banking. 

Throughout her career, Bell has navigated lending and strategic financial planning, building strong relationships with a diverse clientele base ranging from small businesses to large corporations.

Bell holds a bachelor’s in business administration from Yorkville University in Canada and recently graduated from the Alabama Banking School. She serves on the boards for Women in Defense and the Apartment Association of North Alabama and is an ambassador for the Madison City Chamber of Commerce.