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

DATE: TUESDAY, August 31, 1993                   TAG: 9308310029
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: B8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: MAG POFF STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

BANK SEEKS BIGGER BRANCH . . . VOILA

The building is at Airport and Williamson roads, near Crossroads Mall. The NationsBank office is one block to the north at 5102 Williamson Road.

Lewis Nelson Jr., consumer bank manager for NationsBank in Roanoke, emphasized it is buying only the building and furnishings, not the deposits or loans of the First Century branch.

But he said NationsBank hopes First Century customers will switch to its branch.

First Century told its customers over the weekend it will close the office, its only Roanoke operation, on Friday, Nov. 26.

Nelson said NationsBank will open there on Monday, Nov. 29.

"We were interested in relocating to a larger facility," Nelson said.

"When we approached First Century about purchasing their building, we had no idea they were considering closing their Roanoke office," he said. "The timing was just right."

Nelson said the location will give NationsBank significantly more room, better parking and more convenient drive-in service. Nothing else will change for NationsBank customers who use the Williamson Road office, he said.

First Century President Jeffery Forlines of Wytheville said he was glad its customers will have an opportunity to continue banking at the same place.

In a letter received by bank customers Saturday, Forlines said customers with checking, savings and deposit accounts must move them to another bank.

Those who hold certificates of deposit can bank by mail from Wytheville or redeem them without penalty between Nov. 15 and 26.

First Century Bank will continue to handle its Roanoke loans from its headquarters at Wytheville. First Century has a branch at Fort Chiswell, also in Wythe County.