About Sonata
Sonata Bank is a tech-forward financial services company led by experienced banking industry leaders. As both an FDIC-chartered bank and technology-focused financial services company, Sonata provides a full suite of banking products and services to two distinct customer segments:
- To business and personal banking customers in the Middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky markets, and
- To quick service restaurant (QSR) franchisees and their employees across the United States.
A vision rooted in a shared passion for customer experience
The Sonata journey began with Dan Dellinger and Farzin Ferdowsi.
The two share a passion for banking and for how banks can do more to improve the lives of their customers.
Dan, a 30-year Nashville banking industry executive, was Sonata's founding chief executive officer until his retirement in April 2025.
Dan, a 30-year Nashville banking industry executive, was Sonata's founding chief executive officer until his retirement in April 2025.
Farzin is the chair of Sonata's board of directors. His banking history runs deep in Middle Tennessee. He first worked with Dellinger while serving on the board at Premier Bank of Brentwood and later as an organizer of Reliant where he served as chair of the board of directors for 13 years. Prior to organizing Premier Bank, Ferdowsi held similar roles at Brentwood National Bank (now Wells Fargo).
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In April 2025, veteran banking executive Wendell Bontrager was promoted to Chief Executive Officer following Dellinger's retirement. Bontrager, who previously served as Sonata's President and Chief Lending Officer, is a seasoned executive with over 34 years of commercial banking experience who supported Ferdowsi and Dellinger in cofounding Sonata in 2022. He specializes in building high-performance teams, developing organic growth initiatives, and leading organizations ranging from a de novo bank to a multi-state bank with $4 billion in assets. Prior to joining Sonata, Bontrager served as president and board member of Wichita, Kansas-based Equity Bank.
With a focus on serving the quick service and fast casual restaurant industry, Sonata is an FDIC-chartered bank and a digital-first financial services company that provides a full suite of banking products and services for business and personal banking customers in the Middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky markets. Based on 2024 data from the FDIC, Sonata is the top-ranked commercial lender in Tennessee, ranked 4th nationally in the same category, and is the #1 fastest-growing bank in Nashville by year-over-year percent change in deposits. Sebree Deposit Bank, a 132-year-old institution in Sebree, KY was recently rebranded as Sonata Bank. Sonata Financial Holdings, Inc., is the holding company for Sonata Bank.
Focus on community banking in Middle Tennessee & Western Kentucky
Sonata provides full-service community banking across Middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky with locations in Sebree, KY and Brentwood, TN. The Brentwood branch is now open for business, serving as Sonata's Middle Tennessee headquarters.
The bank has assembled a talented team of experienced bankers who are deeply committed to helping their customers succeed and have proven track records in these markets. Sonata's strong operations team serves as the cornerstone that ensures delivery of an extraordinary customer experience, contributing to Sonata's position as the top-ranked commercial lender in Tennessee and the #1 fastest-growing bank in Nashville by deposits according to 2024 FDIC data.
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National strategy focused on Quick Service Restaurant industry
Sonata currently offers specialized banking services to the quick service and fast casual restaurant industry nationwide. This sector includes more than 200,000 establishments employing over five million people in the U.S. Sonata serves this national client base using modern delivery systems, eliminating the need for a large physical branch network.
A key component of Sonata's strategy is helping restaurant owners and operators address employee acquisition and retention challenges. Through an integrated digital app, Sonata delivers combined banking services along with rewards and benefits to restaurant employees, transforming financial experiences for both franchise owners and their workforce.