ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Friday, January 26, 1996               TAG: 9601260081
SECTION: BUSINESS                 PAGE: A-9  EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: MAG POFF STAFF WRITER 

ROANOKER TO LEAD NBC'S VA. BANK

NBC Bank on Thursday elected James O. Beckner II president and chief executive officer of its Roanoke-based Virginia bank.

Beckner, who was senior vice president, succeeds William R. Reed Jr. as president. Reed, who works in Memphis, Tenn., as vice chairman of NBC Bank's parent, National Commerce Bancorp., will remain as chairman of the Virginia operation.

Jill R. Trent, who joined NBC in July 1993 as assistant area manager and operations manager, has been promoted to vice president.

NBC entered Virginia 21/2 years ago, buying supermarket locations formerly operated by Dominion Bankshares Corp. NBC had $190 million in deposits and $70 million in loans at the end of last year.

NBC has seven branches, all inside Kroger supermarkets in the Roanoke Valley and Blacksburg. In addition, its headquarters at 3800 Electric Road houses small-business banking, private banking, mortgage banking, indirect lending and administrative offices.

Beckner said NBC will open its eighth location in May at the Spartan Square Kroger.

In addition, he said, NBC is considering other alternative operations, including a drive-through branch and perhaps other ``unconventional deals.'' The goal, he said, is to ``serve customers in the best and most convenient way.''

He said a full-service telephone center, customer bill-paying service and home banking are planned for this year.

Having a president based in Roanoke rather than the corporate headquarters in Memphis means that NBC Bank will enjoy more autonomy in making decisions on such matters as loans, Beckner said. He said local people will make decisions without having to call Memphis.

Beckner has been in banking in Roanoke for 12 years. Before joining NBC Bank in 1993, he led the in-store banking program for the former Dominion Bank and also managed Dominion's investment banking area.

LENGTH: Short :   44 lines
ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO:  (headshot) Beckner.