Thomas Hung has joined First Tennessee Bank, part of the First Horizon National Corp. family of companies, to lead the restaurant franchise banking group. Hung, located in Scottsdale, AZ, will report to Steve Hawkins, Director of Specialty Banking for First Tennessee Bank.

Hung, a restaurant finance industry veteran, will develop and implement strategies to provide financing solutions to franchisors, franchisees, company-owned chains and private equity sponsors who are looking to invest and operate branded restaurants.

“Tom has extensive experience in restaurant finance, and the relationships he’s developed will be invaluable as we continue to grow our franchise finance specialty line of business,” Hawkins said. “We believe he will be an extraordinary leader and his expertise in guiding restaurant companies to greater success will help existing and new customers achieve their goals.”

With two decades of experience in the financial services industry, Hung is coming to First Tennessee from Citizens Bank Restaurant Finance where he most recently served as Managing Director, head of sponsor and chain restaurants. His industry experience includes developing a national chain restaurant lending platform, leading structured finance and syndicating sponsor-backed restaurant loans.

“I am excited to join First Tennessee and have the opportunity to work with such an outstanding team to expand the restaurant franchise line of business,” Hung said. “I look forward to increasing our line of business and providing an extraordinary level of service to our customers.”

Hung earned his bachelor’s degree in finance from the Marriott School of Management at Brigham Young University and his MBA from the Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University.

First Tennessee Bank National Association, operating as First Tennessee Bank and Capital Bank, has the largest deposit market share in Tennessee and operates more than 250 branches across the Southeast.