Senior Commercial Banking Executive | Knoxville, TN

With more than 30 years of commercial lending experience and over five decades as a Knoxville resident, Derek Saidak brings unmatched local insight and financial expertise to his role as Knoxville Market Executive. At First Financial Bank, he leads loan production initiatives across Knoxville and surrounding metropolitan areas, drawing on a distinguished career that includes leadership roles such as Chief Lending Officer at ORNL FCU and Commercial Lender at SunTrust, TNBank, and FirstBank. Derek holds both a BS and an MBA in Banking and Finance from Auburn University and has completed two years of CEO School. Deeply committed to community service, he sits on the boards of the Child Advocacy Center and the Rick Best Scholarship, and supports the Lenoir City High School Band as a Booster. His leadership, community engagement, and depth of experience make him a valued figure in both banking and the greater Knoxville area.