First Tennessee Bank introduced Operation HOPE’s two new Financial Wellbeing Coaches. Wendy Coble is taking on her position at First Tennessee’s 23rd Street branch and Brandie King is located at the branch in Eastgate.

As Financial Wellbeing Coaches for Operation HOPE, Ms. Coble and Ms. King will work with individuals to improve their credit score, increase their savings, and decrease their debt. 

Operation HOPE provides multiple services that help those who are struggling financially to get back on their feet. These programs include Credit & Money Management Workshops, One-On-One Credit Coaching, Financial Literacy Seminars, and 700 Credit Score Communities group classes.

Through these services, participants can learn the basics of creating a budget, how to read a credit report, and what can be done to correct errors that may negatively affect a credit rating.

Chattanooga Market President Jay Dale said, “The work done by Operation HOPE is transformational for so many in our community. We are thrilled to have Brandie and Wendy join the team and help make a difference in the lives of the many individuals Operation HOPE serves. Operation HOPE is the first step on the path to financial freedom and at First Tennessee, we’re proud to be a part of the solution.”

With many years in the finance industry, specifically in finance management and counseling, under her belt, Ms. Coble is eager to help improve the lives of those in the community.

“My greatest passion is providing a helpful hand when financial stress becomes too much,” said Ms. Coble. “Is your credit score too low? Where can you save? Where would you like to be in five years? No single approach is the right one for every individual, so I work to carefully analyze an individual’s credit report and bank statements to see where money can be saved or paid down.”

Ms. Coble graduated with a Bachelors Degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she was a member of Alpha Delta Pi Sorority and Charlotte Professional Business Women. She is presently a member of the Chattanooga Lead Exchange, a network of professionals that work together to help the community.

Ms. King received a Bachelors Degree in English from The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. With over five years of experience in the finance industry, Brandie values the idea of hard work and dedication as it pertains to financial freedom.

Ms. King said, “Financial stress does not discriminate, and it affects everyone at one time or another. Hard-working individuals should have something to show for their contributions to society other than a mound of debt and a feeling of hopelessness. At Operation HOPE, we want to give individuals their financial dignity back and break the cycle of poverty.”