Lunsford Bridges

Bridges’ Metropolitan National Grows 15 Percent Annually Since 1985

When Lunsford Bridges took over as president and chief executive officer of Metropolitan National Bank in 1985, the bank had $85 million in assets.

Now it’s the largest independent bank in central Arkansas and the state’s largest bank not owned by a multibank holding company. It has $474 million in assets and will open its 22nd location in March – more branches than typical for banks of similar size.

The growth of about 15 percent annually is phenomenal when you consider Metropolitan doesn’t acquire other banks. The growth comes strictly by attracting customers.

“We’re extremely conscious of the needs of the customer,” says Bridges, who has been in banking for 35 years. “We pay attention to every detail to satisfy our customers. And we’ve put in the infrastructure we need, not just the branching system but the technology and other products and services the customer wants.”

Bridges became interested in banking while a student at Hendrix College in Conway. He worked as an intern at the old National Bank of Commerce in his hometown of Pine Bluff and worked there full time after graduation in 1963. He left in 1984 as senior vice president and manager of the marketing department.

Bridges also credits the growth of Metropolitan to Doyle Rogers, owner of the bank.

“Doyle Rogers has given us excellent direction, advice and guidance and also the freedom to do what we needed to grow this bank,” Bridges says. “He’s a man of tremendous vision.”

For years, Metropolitan was known as the “nearby and neighborly bank” on University Avenue in southwest Little Rock. It has maintained that philosophy since its main office moved to the Stephens Building in 1985.

Bridges doesn’t see Metropolitan buying any banks in the near future, or being bought by a larger holding company. He hopes Metropolitan can grow by 15 percent this year by banking the old-fashioned way.

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