A nonprofit publication of the Kentucky Center for Public Service Journalism

First National Bank of Kentucky expands its footprint in NKY to a new location on Florence US-42


Staff report

First National Bank of Kentucky, under the leadership of President Lytle Thomas, will open its third new office in the last 18 months at a prime location on US-42 in Florence.

This is the bank’s sixth retail branch and second Northern Kentucky banking center. It will serve a growing customer base in Boone County and expand the bank’s mission, Thomas says, of “local people serving local customers.”

A rendering of new signage on the bank. (Provided)

First National Bank of Kentucky opened a full-service banking center in Ft. Wright in July 2021, the historic Carrollton-based bank’s first foray into the NKY market, and well-known banker Thomas returned to community banking as FNB’s president.

“This is a bank that has 140 years of history serving Kentucky banking needs and is now right here to deliver great service through technology and personal service,” said Thomas. “I am very excited that our newest office will serve our customers in the Florence and Union markets. As we expand our footprint and provide offices convenient to our loyal customer base, we are delighted to be in Boone County and the Florence/Union markets with a physical location staffed with local bankers.”

First National Bank of Kentucky opened its first location in 1881 in Carrollton and today operates five branches throughout the region, including Carrollton, Warsaw, Crestwood, Florence, and Ft. Wright. Former State Senator Joseph A. Donaldson served as the bank’s first president. He and his five successors have seen the bank operate through two world wars, the Great Depression, the Great Recession, and most recently a global pandemic.

“We want to continue to serve our customers by providing the technology and personal service they want from their bank,” said Thomas. “There is a demand for community banking and we are constantly looking for new opportunities to grow. Not for growth’s sake — but to serve the community.”

Lytle Thomas

The Florence location at 8545 U.S. 42 is expected to open in November. The building was orginally home to Key Bank, then Citizen’s Bank of Vanceburg, and most recently, People’s Bank. It is on the corner across from McDonald’s, and the Blind Squirrel and a day care are in the shopping area behind it.

The 3200-square-foot building is currently undergoing a renovation and remodel by local contractors and trades.

Thomas says it will create at least seven new jobs.

The new office will be staffed by Market Manager Corey Sidebottom and Business Development Officer Steve Ellis. Both have deep roots in Northern Kentucky and combined, bring over 40 years of banking experience to the new location.

“Our bank was built on serving people and businesses for over 140 years,” said CEO Greg Goff. “Our initial move into Northern Kentucky with our Ft. Wright banking center has been very well received by the area. We look forward to getting to know our new neighbors in Florence and offering them the same level of personal service that their communities have learned to expect from our bank.”

As FNBKY expands into the Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati market, it will continue to utilize innovative technology and efficient products to meet the individual needs of its customers in an independent, small-bank environment.

The new Florence banking center hours will be Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday 8:30 a.m.-noon. The new banking center will offer a 24-hour ATM, two drive-thru lanes, and a night depository box.

Visit www.fnbkentucky.com for more information.

A grand opening celebration for the US-42 location is planned for later this year and details will be forthcoming.

First National Bank of Kentucky opened its first location in 1881 in Carrollton and today operates six branches throughout the region, including two in Carrollton, Crestwood, Warsaw, Ft. Wright, and now Florence.

See The NKyTribune’s story about Lytle Thomas’ return to banking here.


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