Though opened in January to walk-in business, officials convened Thursday afternoon for the ribbon cutting and coronation of F&M Bank at 1002 South Virginia Street.
Originally branded as “Farmers & Merchants Bank” in Bumpus Mills, Tennessee, and now headquartered in Clarksville, this is the first Kentucky branch for the proud community bank — which has assets exceeding $1.3 billion and currently operates full-service banking and mortgage services in northwest Tennessee.
Vice President and Commercial Lender Ryan Milauskas, a Hopkinsville native and grandson of the late Dr. James Brazil, is the lead on-site employee. He is joined by Trigg County native and Financial Service Representative Annette Hargis, Christian County native and Financial Service Representative Jennifer Cowherd, and Clarksville native and Loan Processor Justin Nulty.
Milauskas said he was thrilled to join the organization in April 2021, and even more so that his hometown was the first choice for Kentucky expansion.
For years, 1002 South Virginia Street was the home of First City Bank and Trust before a BB&T takeover.
Following consolidations from the latter, the four-story building is also home to a community room, the Veterans Administration med-clinic and the Lionheart Trauma Support Services.
Milauskas said the first-floor fittings were perfect for a new bank to move in, renovate — and perhaps even expand.
In what is already a full-service bank, Milauskas added that the hope is to always maintain a personal connection to customers for their needs — remaining hyper-focused on undivided attention.
Sammy Stuard is the President/CEO of F&M Bank, and the branch will be led by Executive Vice President John Peck — who spent 20 years serving the financial needs of Hopkinsville as the former president of Heritage Bank.
Among its local and northwest Tennessee presence, F&M Bank has six locations in Fort Campbell and Clarksville, one in Springfield, one in White House, one in Greenbrier, one in Bumpus Mills and one in Dover.
