FNB Makes Renovations to Branch on South Lamar

FNB reopened the newly-renovated lobby of its branch on South Lamar at Highway 6 this past May. HottyToddy.com visited recently with Branch Manager Lauren Pace.
HottyToddy.com: Lauren, how many branches does FNB have in addition to your main facility on the Oxford Square?
Pace: In addition to the main office on the Square, we have this branch on South Lamar, a branch on West Jackson Avenue, and a branch on North Lamar. The North Lamar branch will be relocating to The Commons in 2019. In Tupelo, our bank branch is in Fairpark, across the street from Tupelo City hall.
HottyToddy.com: Regarding the South Lamar location, when was this branch originally opened?
Pace: This branch first opened in the 1970s, and was then renovated around 2001.
HottyToddy.com: What all did the renovation entail?
Pace: The first phase of the renovation included widening the drive thru lanes and repairing damage from an accident that occurred at the beginning of last year. The second phase focused on the interior and exterior of the building. Our customer traffic has increased tremendously here over the past 10 years, so it was only appropriate that we expanded it to fit our current needs. Additional parking and defined traffic flow add to the convenience of conducting business at the South Lamar location. The interior was increased by 650 square feet, along with a much needed face lift. 
HottyToddy.com: In Europe banks are closing branches due to online banking transactions. Why do you believe that, here in the U.S., we’re going in the opposite direction?
Pace: Branch closings are increasing in the U.S., too. Also, even when new
branches are built the building footprint is usually much smaller. You are correct, though, that the customers’ increasing use of technology is cutting down on foot traffic in banks. As bankers, we want to truly value each customer visit and be able to serve all of their needs. With both residential and commercial growth occurring south of Highway 6, and along South Lamar, we now feel that our branch is well-equipped to serve this area of town.
HottyToddy.com: What are all the services that will be extended to FNB’s customers at the branch?
Pace: We now have the capacity to take on more with the expansion of our building. We will continue to offer a wide variety of business and personal products and services from checking accounts to CDs and IRAs with the possibility of small personal loans in the near future. Along with our tellers, we also have a virtual, or video teller, known as the iTM, that can take care of your banking needs as well. All three of our iTMs double as an ATM…Touch the screen for iTM or insert your card for ATM.
HottyToddy.com: What are the branch operating hours and the actual physical address?
Pace: The Medical Center branch is located at 2149 South Lamar Blvd just off the roundabout by Shipley Donuts. Our banking hours are M-TH 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and F 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. as well as our extended hours with the iTM M-F 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.. We also offer the convenience of Saturday banking with the use of our iTM from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. 
HottyToddy.com: Is there any message (of convenience) that you would like to convey to the Ole Miss students?
Pace: These days, we are all about technology—especially the students! Our iTM is such a great convenience for students and anyone else on the go or if you can’t make it to the bank during normal business hours. It’s so easy to use and it has been quite the selling feature for us. You get to speak to a live teller during the hours of 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. M-F. Also, you don’t need a deposit or withdrawal slip—just tap the screen and let the teller do all of the work. But when that lane is tied up, or if you desire only traditional ATM service, we have a walk-up ATM outside the front door. In addition to our technology, we offer competitive checking accounts that come with great features, including BaZing—a great tool that offers discounts around town.
At FNB, We want to accommodate you in whatever way you want to bank, and whenever you want to do your business in person at one of our branches or on our mobile app; at your desktop computer; at our iTM from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. on weekdays, or at any iTm on Saturday morning from 9 a.m. – noon.

Steve Vassallo is a HottyToddy.com contributor. Steve writes on Ole Miss athletics, Oxford business, politics and other subjects. He is an Ole Miss grad and former radio announcer for the basketball team. Currently, Steve is an active Economic Development Consultant working with communities globally who lives in Oxford with his wife Rosie. You can contact Steve at sovassallo@gmail.com or call him at 985-852-7745.