
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, July 4, 1993                   TAG: 9307020003
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-6   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: New River Valley bureau
DATELINE: WYTHEVILLE                                LENGTH: Short

FIRST CENTURY'S NEW BUILDING RISES

Construction on a $1.6 million First Century Bank building on Peppers Ferry Road should be complete by mid-December, in time for customers to enjoy the fireplace in its waiting room.

The 6,190-square-foot single-story building will have the latest in handicapped-access facilities, four drive-in lanes, a large lobby that can be used by community organizations for meetings, and a 24-hour automated teller machine.

Ground was broken for the project Wednesday on almost two acres at 200 Peppers Ferry Rd. Jeff Forlines is president and chief executive officer.

First Century has been working in rented space since October 1991 in the Wythe Shopping Plaza at 910 E. Main St. It will close that office when it moves to the permanent location.

In May, First Century agreed to buy the insured deposits and real estate of Dominion Bank's Fort Chiswell office. Regulatory approval and occupancy is anticipated by September.

The bank was organized in May 1991, five months before it established its Wytheville branch. Earlier this year, Wytheville was designated its main office. In its first two years of operation, its assets have grown to about $23 million.

It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Pocahontas Bankshares Corp. with headquarters in Bluefield, W.Va. Other subsidiary banks include the First National Bank of Bluefield and Bank of Oceana.

by CNB