Tom N. Humphress Modesty and a touch of realism sums up the recent conversation with Tom N. Humphress, October s featured Legend of Banking. For Humphress, the most rewarding aspects of a career spent in banking were the personal contacts he made as the local president of Barnett, and the perks that went along with the job. Another change Humphress noted during his 47 year career was the branch environment. Now there is often only one person in the lobby and a few more behind the scenes. Computers are part of the reason why all these changes are possible.
Computers are a wonderful asset, but with computers there aren t as many employees in a branch.
People aren t as vocal, but they wish it was like it used to be. Humphress knows what he is talking about when it comes to running a bank. In fact, he helped organize four banks in the Big Bend area of Florida. He was the banker responsible for hiring Walter C. Dodson, Jr., current FBA president and president and CEO of Wakulla Bank when the bank was founded 25 years ago. Humphress also played a role in starting the Citizens Bank of Perry, Citizens Bank of Wakulla, and the Peoples Bank of Tallahassee, now part of First Union.