The Claiborne County Chamber of Commerce, city officials, county officials and many others came together with management of First State Bank to break ground Aug. 15 at the site of their newest First State Bank office in New Tazewell.
Though there was a rainy start to the day, the sun broke out just in time for the celebration ceremony. The office, to be located next door to Walmart in New Tazewell, is expected to be open for business by the end of the year, said Jeff Lewis, vice president and manager of the New Tazewell office.
Lewis thanked all those who came out for the groundbreaking, saying how fortunate he felt to be part of First State Bank. He related how, as a little boy, he followed his grandfather, Mark Lewis, around. Seeing how his grandfather Mark enjoyed helping those in the community with their financial needs, and how people responded so well to him, Jeff wanted to be like his grandfather. He said that with First State Bank he feels he is in just the right place to fulfill that desire to emulate his grandfather.
First State Bank’s President and CEO Katherine Reece-Capps addressed the crowd, echoing the sentiment of banking tradition. She, being the fourth generation bank president of First State Bank, fully understands the importance of the people and communities the bank serves and emphasized a firm commitment to a continuation of the tradition and banking legacy that George Reese began in 1899.
“The trust of our customers and our common sense banking makes us ideally suited for the Claiborne County and surrounding markets,” she said. “With locations in New Tazewell and the Kentucky cities of Middlesboro, Pineville, Williamsburg and Lexington, we’re big enough to serve and small enough to care.”
“If your bank has recently decided that you need to be banking with their competitor, we agree,” said Jeff Lewis. “If you haven’t already, now’s the time to be banking with First State Bank.”
