ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times

DATE: Thursday, December 28, 1995            TAG: 9512280058
SECTION: BUSINESS                 PAGE: B-10 EDITION: METRO 

IN BUSINESS

Piedmont changes name to MainStreet

Piedmont BankGroup Inc., a multi-community bank-holding company based in Martinsville, said Wednesday it will change its name to MainStreet BankGroup Inc. effective Monday.

"MainStreet BankGroup provides an identity which ... removes geographic limitations to expansion,''the bank said. The new name is intended to suggest that its institutions are community banks, involved in their local markets, it said.

Corporate headquarters will remain in Martinsville, and the affiliate banks will continue to operate as they do now. The six banks in the organization are Piedmont Trust Bank, Bank of Carroll, Bank of Ferrum, First Community Bank, First Bank of Stuart and First Community Bank of Saltville.

The banks operate 28 offices and have combined assets of $879 million. They have a total of 445 full-time equivalent employees.

MainStreet BankGroup's common stock will trade in the Nasdaq over-the-counter market, as Piedmont BankGroup does now. The new Nasdaq symbol is MSBC. Wednesday, Piedmont's stock was bid at $25.75 a share.

- Staff report

Recliners recalled as child hazard

WASHINGTON - One thousand recliners are being recalled because the space between the chair's seat and leg rest is big enough to trap a child's head.

The chairs, made by Astro-Lounger Furniture Manufacturing Co. Inc. of Houkla, Miss., do not meet voluntary industry guidelines designed to prevent children from strangling, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said.

The chairs, upholstered in beige, blue, brown or mauve fabric, were sold through furniture stores nationwide from 1990 to January 1994 for about $99, Giles said.

Consumers owning the chairs should call the company, at (800) 700-6945, to receive a free crossbar reducing the space.

- Associated Press

LENGTH: Short :   43 lines