Stephen Freeman, AIF, has joined Citizens Wealth Management, the wealth management and financial planning division of Citizens Bank & Trust, in Cullman.

LPL Financial announced that financial advisor Stephen Freeman, AIF, has joined Citizens Wealth Management, the wealth management and financial planning division of Citizens Bank & Trust.

Founded in 2003, Citizens Bank & Trust is headquartered in Guntersville, Ala., and serves local families and businesses through 10 full-service branches in northern Alabama. The bank focuses on serving the community by providing quality financial services while delivering exceptional client experiences.

Citizens Bank & Trust established Citizens Wealth Management in 2006, and Freeman joins financial advisors Wes Alred and Scott Belgard and registered sales assistant Kelly Waldrop.

Freeman said he was intrigued by investments and wealth management early while growing up in Cullman, Ala. In high school, and then later during his time at Auburn University, he participated in student-run clubs and initiatives aimed at growing his skills and knowledge of the industry.

Throughout his more than 20-year career, Freeman has nurtured close relationships with individuals, families and business leaders in Cullman.

“After a couple of years in Huntsville, Ala., with Merrill Lynch, I moved back and began my Cullman career just six feet from where my office is now, and many of the same clients I first met there are still with me,” Freeman said.

Deeply tied to the community, he has been an active member of the Cullman Rotary Club for 20 years, including a term as the club’s former president. He’s also a member of First Baptist Church, where he has served as deacon and Sunday School teacher.

Looking for the next step in his career, Freeman turned to Citizens Bank & Trust and the LPL platform to help him expand his service offerings and achieve his business goals.

“It was important I connect with organizations that give me the freedom to build my practice around my Christian values and my personal goals,” he said. “When you walk into one of Citizens’ offices, there is a sign that reads: ‘Citizens Bank & Trust is an organization established on Christian values that serves its community by providing quality financial services while delivering an exceptional customer experience.’ This mission resonates with me.

“I also was impressed by all of the options LPL provides — more advanced tech, a wider variety of products and customized account types,” Freeman said. “For example, there are more retirement account options at LPL, which means I can tailor these accounts to my clients’ needs.”

It was his commitment to service, values and community involvement that helped make Freeman the right culture fit for the bank, said Charlie Williams, president and CEO at Citizens Bank & Trust.

“As soon as we met Stephen, we knew he would be the right person,” he said. “We have a great foundation in the Citizens Wealth Management team. Being able to add Stephen in the Cullman market along with his commitment to giving back and community involvement, make him additive to both our wealth management division and the bank as a whole.”

“As Citizens Bank & Trust continues to grow, so too does their commitment to personalized solutions and advanced, convenient banking and financial services,” said Ken Hullings, EVP-Client Success at LPL Financial. “LPL has been privileged to help Citizens Bank & Trust, its leadership and advisors grow their wealth management services and capabilities. We look forward to supporting Stephen as he continues to serve even more people, families and businesses in his community with excellent financial advice.”