If you’ve spent any time navigating the commercial landscape of Middle Tennessee, specifically around Columbia or Dickson, you’ve probably heard the name Charlie Goatz. In the world of community banking, names often carry more weight than the logos on the building. That is definitely the case here. Goatz isn't just a guy behind a desk; he is a Senior Vice President and Commercial Loan Officer at TriStar Bank.
Banking has changed. It's gotten colder. Most big banks treat small businesses like a string of numbers on a spreadsheet.
Charlie Goatz is the antithesis of that.
Who is Charlie Goatz?
He’s a local through and through. A graduate of Columbia Central High School, Goatz stayed close to his roots, earning his business administration degree from Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). You see this a lot in Tennessee—the people who grow up here want to build here.
He didn't just stop at a bachelor's degree, though. He’s a 2006 graduate of the Southeastern School of Banking and finished up at the Graduate School of Banking at LSU in 2009. That matters. It means he isn't just "good with people"—he actually understands the mechanics of complex commercial debt and risk management.
His Path to TriStar Bank
Goatz didn't start at the top. He put in the years.
📖 Related: Private Credit News Today: Why the Golden Age is Getting a Reality Check
- Community First Bank & Trust: He spent nearly a decade here (2009–2018). He wore a lot of hats—Special Assets Officer, Loan Review Specialist, Commercial Banking Associate. This is where he learned how banks really work, including the messy parts of loan recovery and internal audits.
- Reliant Bank: A two-year stint as Vice President and Loan Officer.
- TriStar Bank: He joined the team in March 2020.
Think about that timing for a second. March 2020. He stepped into a senior role at TriStar Bank exactly when the world shut down and every small business owner in Tennessee was panicking about payroll and survival. That is a trial by fire.
Why the TriStar Bank Model Actually Works
TriStar Bank is a community bank. That term gets thrown around a lot by marketing departments, but what does it mean in practice? It means decisions are made locally.
At a massive national bank, if a local shop owner needs a $500,000 loan for equipment, the application might be sent to an underwriter in another state who has never set foot in Maury County. They don't know the street. They don't know the reputation of the owner. They just see a credit score.
At TriStar Bank, someone like Charlie Goatz is the one looking at the deal. He knows the local economy. He knows if a certain intersection is growing or dying. Honestly, that local nuance is the only reason some businesses get funded at all.
More Than Just Lending
Goatz lives in Columbia with his wife, Crissa, and their daughter, Spencer. He’s a member of the Kiwanis Club. More importantly for local development, he serves as the Chairman of the City of Columbia Municipal Planning Commission.
👉 See also: Syrian Dinar to Dollar: Why Everyone Gets the Name (and the Rate) Wrong
That’s a big deal.
It means he is deeply involved in how the city grows. He sees the zoning requests. He sees the infrastructure plans. When a business owner talks to him about a new development, he isn't just looking at it from a banking perspective—he’s looking at it from a civic planning perspective.
The Reality of Commercial Banking Today
Commercial lending is tough right now. Interest rates have been a roller coaster. Inflation has pinched margins for everyone from contractors to restaurant owners.
When you’re dealing with Charlie Goatz at TriStar Bank, you’re getting a "seasoned" professional—a word used often in his professional bios, and for good reason. Seasoned means he’s seen a recession. He’s seen a boom. He knows that a bad quarter doesn't always mean a bad business.
What You Should Prepare
If you're looking to work with a commercial lender like Goatz, don't just show up with a dream. Community banks appreciate the relationship, but they still need the math to work.
✨ Don't miss: New Zealand currency to AUD: Why the exchange rate is shifting in 2026
- Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR): Know your numbers. Can your business cash flow comfortably enough to pay back the loan?
- The "Why": Why do you need the capital? Expansion? Equipment? Working capital?
- Local Impact: How does your project fit into the current growth of Middle Tennessee?
Actionable Insights for Business Owners
If you are looking to secure a commercial loan or switch banks in the Middle Tennessee area, here is how you should approach it.
- Don't just cold call. Reach out through a mutual connection in the Kiwanis Club or the Maury Alliance. Relationships matter in Columbia.
- Be transparent. If your 2023 taxes were a mess because of a one-time equipment purchase, say so. Local bankers like Goatz prefer honesty over a "perfect" but misleading P&L statement.
- Look at the long game. Don't just shop for the lowest interest rate. Shop for the banker who will answer the phone when things go sideways.
TriStar Bank positions itself as a partner. With Charlie Goatz as a Senior Vice President, that partnership is backed by someone who actually has a stake in the community’s success. Whether it's through the Planning Commission or a commercial line of credit, his fingerprints are all over the growth of the region.
If you're serious about growing a business in this part of Tennessee, knowing who the key players are is half the battle. Goatz is definitely one of them.
Next Steps:
Research the current TriStar Bank commercial loan offerings specifically for your industry. If you’re in Columbia, check the Municipal Planning Commission’s public records to see what’s being approved—it’ll give you a head start on where the next growth corridor will be before you even sit down for a loan interview.