Mike Johnston
Huntsville City President
Bryant Bank
Tell us about the team at Bryant Bank and the work you do.
As President of Bryant Bank in Huntsville, I’m honored to lead a team of dedicated Bryant Bankers who are deeply committed to serving our community. Our team brings decades of combined experience in commercial lending, personal banking and mortgage lending, but what truly sets us apart is our genuine investment in the success of our clients and our community.
At Bryant Bank, we focus on full-service, relationship-driven banking. Rather than treating our clients as account numbers, we take the time to understand their unique financial goals and challenges. Our Huntsville team specializes in commercial lending, small business banking, mortgage lending, and personal financial services. We’re particularly proud of our ability to make local decisions quickly, which is crucial in today’s competitive business environment.
What I find most rewarding about our work is how we get to be part of the fabric of the Huntsville community. Our team members serve on local boards, volunteer with community organizations, and are actively involved in making Huntsville an even better place to live and work. That community connection isn’t just good business – it’s who we are as an organization and as individuals.
Would you share some examples of your community involvement?
Currently, I serve as President of the Huntsville Rotary Club. I’ve been a member of Rotary for 17 years, and I’m particularly proud of our STRIVE program: STRIVE stands for Students Taking a Renewed Interest in the Value of Education. This flagship initiative of our club provides mentors to juniors and seniors at Lee, Mae Jemison, Huntsville, and now Grissom high schools, helping students who have tremendous potential and need support to realize their dreams for a better life. Seeing the STRIVE students grow and succeed over the years has been incredibly fulfilling.
I am also involved in the annual North/Central Alabama Rotary Youth Leadership Program (RYLA), where we cultivate the next generation of community leaders. This 3-day event is held each February at the U. S. Space and Rocket Center and is open to high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who apply to and are sponsored by a Rotary Club in their community. Civic organizations like Rotary and others in Huntsville provide opportunities for meaningful engagement and connections in our community.
Another commitment I’m proud of is my 25+ years of service as a board member for the Arc of Madison County, where I have severed as past Board President and other officer roles. This organization serves and supports individuals as well as infants and toddlers with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Huntsville, Athens, and also throughout the state through the Arc’s Autism Diagnostic Clinic network.
Involvement with these organizations aligns perfectly with Bryant Bank’s core values of “Putting Care into Action” and “Empowering Potential.” Our team’s community engagement isn’t just about giving back, but it also demonstrates the same commitment to caring for our neighbors that Bryant Bank embodies every day. This shared dedication to our community creates personal relationships and a lasting impact that benefits everyone we serve.
What are some of the investments your company has made in Huntsville recently that you are most proud of?
I’m incredibly proud of the investments Bryant Bank has made in Huntsville because they reflect our deep commitment to this community’s growth and success.
One of our most significant partnerships is with the University of Alabama in Huntsville. We have committed more than $5 million to UAH since were established here in Huntsville. There is the Bryant Bank Excellence in Nursing Scholarship to support future healthcare professionals, the Bryant Bank Business Scholarship supporting students pursing a business degree, and we have made a substantial commitment over five years to support Charger Athletics. UAH is such a vital part of the fabric of our community, and we’re honored to support their mission. We also actively support our local high schools and their athletic, band, theater, and other programs, recognizing that investing in young people strengthens our entire community.
As a family-owned business ourselves, we have a particular passion for supporting other family-owned businesses here in Huntsville. We understand the unique challenges and opportunities that come with multi-generational family ownership, and we’re committed to helping these businesses thrive and contribute to our local economy.
What makes me especially proud is how our employees share this commitment to Huntsville. We’ve been recognized by the United Way of Huntsville for our employee giving, achieving one of the highest per capita giving rates in the community. When your team is personally invested in where they live and work, it creates a culture of care that extends to every customer relationship and community partnership we build.
What does Bryant Bank get from its membership in the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber, and your support as an investor?
Our membership in the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber provides Bryant Bank with invaluable opportunities that align perfectly with our commitment to being deeply embedded in this community. Through Chamber events and initiatives, we gain direct access to business leaders who are shaping Huntsville’s future, helping us better serve our clients and identify emerging market needs.
The Chamber’s advocacy work is particularly valuable to us. As a local bank, we benefit from policies that support business growth and economic development. When the Chamber successfully recruits new companies or promotes workforce development, we all benefit from a stronger local economy.
Our investor-level support reflects our belief that a strong Chamber creates a stronger business environment for everyone. It’s an investment in Huntsville that allows businesses like ours to thrive for generations to come.
This article appears in the October 2025 issue of Initiatives magazine, a publication of the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber.
