Staff report
First National Bank offices in Rowan County will have a new name effective June 4.
FNB United Corp. has announced that First National Bank and Trust Company, including its divisions Catawba Valley Bank, First Gaston Bank and Northwestern Bank of Wilkesboro, will change its name to CommunityONE Bank.
First National Bank has two offices in Salisbury and one each in China Grove and Enochville. Its Rowan County connections go back more than 100 years to the former Rowan Bank, founded in 1905 in China Grove.
First National Bank merged with Rowan Bank in 2002.
The change in name to CommnityONE is not the result of a sale, purchase or merger, and no offices are closing.
Only our name is changing, said Michael C. Miller, president and chairman of First National. Were still the same friendly, hardworking people, serving the financial lives of our customers and communities, cheerfully and professionally every day. Who we are and what we do is very much intact.
Company officials said the desire for a new name results from growth in recent years by acquisition, including last years merger with Integrity Financial Corporation.
While the systems and charters of Integritys bank divisions, Catawba Valley, First Gaston and Northwestern, were merged into First National in August 2006, the bank still operates as four separate brands.
There are three main reasons we decided to change our name, Miller said.
We wanted a name that was unique from our competition; a name that better fits our personality, culture and brand promise of Yes You Can; and a name that embraces and embodies the diverse sum of our collective parts.
The banks logo and corporate mascot, Jack, have been refined to show some new style and energy, the company said.
Bank statements, stationery, checks and business cards will reflect the new name and logo right away, while signs, merchandising and marketing materials will be updated gradually over the next several months.
For customers, account numbers, checks, loan payments, online banking and community office phone numbers will remain the same.
Miller added: Our name has served us well for the past 100 years, and we look forward to a new century of service as CommunityONE.
Opened in 1907, First National Bank and Trust Company is a North Carolina-based banking subsidiary of FNB United Corp., and operates 26 offices as First National Bank, six as Catawba Valley Bank, five as First Gaston Bank and six as Northwestern Bank of Wilkesboro.