It may not be an argument against online banking, but First National Bank of Paragould hopes the in-person experience is more enjoyable for patrons at its new, First National Financial Park facility in Jonesboro.
On Monday the bank held a soft opening for the five-story, 60,000-SF building that is replacing the existing Hilltop Office at 3500 E. Johnson Ave.
“We’ve had three existing branches in Jonesboro,” said First National Bank Jonesboro Market President Jerry Morgan, “and just with our growth and momentum in northeast Arkansas we decided we need to expand and add a new state-of-the-art facility for our customers, and we also wanted to add the option of adding some additional tenants.”
Designed by Wittenberg Delony & Davidson Architects in Little Rock and built by Ramsons Construction Co. of Jonesboro, the facility will be the lead office for the bank’s Craighead County operations. It features an underground parking deck, community room with a 30-by-10 foot video wall, outdoor terrace and outdoor walking path. The project incorporates a large park with ponds and water features.
“A primary goal for First National was to make this a destination instead of just another banking facility,” Morgan said.
The building’s tenants include Quraishi Law Firm, Gazaway & White Realty and Northwestern Mutual. Morgan said the downtown Paragould restaurant Chow will open its second location on the first floor of Financial Park.
Morgan said First National Financial Park is both a reflection of and answer to Jonesboro’s growth in recent years. The bank wanted a facility that not only served customers but was an aesthetic fit with the Jonesboro landscape.
“First National Bank has been fortunate to be part of the strong economic expansion in northeast Arkansas for several years,” Morgan said. “With the need for additional space to facilitate our growth, it was important for us to construct a facility that differentiated First National and also be beneficial for all citizens in our market.”
Construction also included computer system upgrades and other technological improvements for customer convenience.
Founded in Paragould in 1889, First National Bank expanded into Jonesboro 20 years ago and has since opened locations at 2701 Highland Drive and 912 Southwest Drive.
Part of the bank’s growth and expanding presence included the recent re-branding of Arkansas State University’s Convocation Center as First National Bank Arena, which is located near the new financial park.
“Just the growth and expansion in Jonesboro, along with our customer base, it was finally time to add to our growth and momentum in northeast Arkansas and across the state,” Morgan said.
Weather permitting, Morgan expected the old Johnson Ave. building to be razed sometime within the next two to three weeks, with the space used for additional parking.
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