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| 08.22.2025
Bruceton Mills, WV, August 22, 2025 – Randall Underwood, executive vice president and chief banking officer at Clear Mountain Bank, is set to retire on August 29 after a banking career that spanned more than five decades.
Underwood began his long and illustrious banking career in 1974 at the former Webster Springs National Bank in Webster County, WV.
“I had never given the banking industry much thought until I was unexpectedly offered a position at my hometown bank," said Underwood. "Immediately, I found myself fascinated. After a few years, I realized major changes were facing the industry in the decades ahead, and I wanted to be a part of that.”
Throughout those decades, Underwood saw the industry evolve rapidly. From doing most work by hand to the innovative world of digital banking, Underwood has witnessed the frequent changes in the financial world.
“From fifty years ago, I can very well recall posting transactions by hand and using adding machines at teller stations,” said Underwood. “Now, it is fascinating to watch the technology do most of the heavy lifting. It has been a great privilege to grow alongside these changes for more than half a century.”
In 1988, Underwood moved into the Randolph County area, where he spent the next 22 years of his career. In 2010, Underwood made the move to Morgantown, where in 2015, he found a home at Clear Mountain Bank. In 2025, Underwood was elected to Clear Mountain Bank’s board of directors and he will continue to serve on the board following his retirement.
“The bank has been incredibly fortunate to have someone with Randall’s knowledge and expertise leading its banking teams,” said David M. Thomas, president and CEO of Clear Mountain Bank. “Randall is a key member of the Clear Mountain Bank team, and his time here at the bank will leave an insurmountable and long-lasting impact on everyone he worked with. His retirement is very much deserved.”
“We are also fortunate to have Randall continuing to provide guidance and leadership to the bank as a member of our board of directors,” continues Thomas.
Underwood is a graduate of Glenville State College, the Mellon School of Banking, the West Virginia School of Banking, and the Stonier Graduate School of Banking. His list of community activities during his career is extensive. It includes the Morgantown Area Partnership, Webster Springs Chamber of Commerce, Elkins-Randolph County Chamber of Commerce and the Randolph County Development Authority. He has also held various leadership positions for the West Virginia Association of Fairs and Festivals, the Mountain State Forest Festival, and the Webster County Woodchopping Festival. He also currently serves as a corporate council member for the Greater Cumberland (MD) Committee.
When asked to give one final thought on his career, Underwood reminisced on the growth of the people around him and their passion for community.
“I am blessed to have had the opportunity to function as CEO of community banks, and many years ago was blessed to be the person in charge of keeping coal in the furnace. I have been surrounded by people who wanted to succeed and see their communities thrive. We made a difference in individual lives and in the progress of communities. I could recite career highlights for days, I think, but I'll just say it’s been a great, rewarding career.”
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