By Rachel Nix, Building Kentucky
The sign on the door has changed, but Kentucky Bank customers will see the same smiling faces when they visit their hometown branch location – now part of Stock Yards Bank and Trust. Kentucky Bank branches in central and eastern Kentucky have been transitioned into the Stock Yards Bank brand after merging with the Kentucky-based financial institution earlier this year.
“The shared values and commitment to premier customer service are a recipe for success with a transition like this. Kentucky Bank customers will benefit from having a hometown bank that is proactive about building strength for the future and expanding its footprint while keeping its commitments to supporting every community it touches.”
Stock Yards Bank chairman and CEO James A. (Ja) Hillebrand
More about the merger
Stock Yards Bank announced the merger with Kentucky Bank & Trust, based in Paris, Kentucky, in January 2021. The combined community banks will offer significant banking services across all existing locations including banks in Paris, Cynthiana, Georgetown, Lexington, Morehead, Nicholasville, Richmond, Sandy Hook, Versailles, Wilmore and Winchester.
With the recent announcement of its acquisition of Louisville-based Commonwealth Bank & Trust, Stock Yards Bank extends its footprint even further across the state adding locations in Jefferson and Shelby counties as well as northern Kentucky. Once combined, the merged banks will service customers through 79 branches with total assets of approximately $7.4 billion, $4.9 billion in gross loans, $6.4 billion in deposits and $7 billion in trust assets under management.
What customers can expect
“Change is never easy, but I am confident that Kentucky Bank customers will enjoy moving into the Stock Yards Bank family. They can trust that I will continue to be involved to make this transition as seamless as possible. This is still a Kentucky-based bank run by Kentuckians who have the interests and values of their communities top of mind when making decisions.”
Former Kentucky Bank President and CEO Louis Prichard, who joins Stock Yards Bank as Central Kentucky Market President
Former Kentucky Bank customers will see enhanced services at their now Stock Yards Bank branded bank locations. By joining the Stock Yards Bank family, customers have access to additional wealth management, treasury management, technology, and financial services offerings in-person and online.
All signage at 19 Kentucky Bank branches were changed to show the new Stock Yards Bank name over the weekend. Customers have been contacted to outline any changing processes and tools to access banking services. Stock Yards Bank recently launched a new website with expanded digital offerings that will be available to all new and existing customers.
Good news for central Kentucky
Stock Yards Bank also recently announced the addition of Barbara Tilghman to its wealth management group in central Kentucky. Tilghman joined as a wealth advisor, bringing 35 years of banking experience including extensive work with innovative financial solutions, customized products and superior service to her role.
Tilghman is a Versailles native and active member of the Lexington-area community. She has a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Kentucky and is a Private Banking graduate of the Cannon Financial Institute with an Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (AWMA) certification from the College of Financial Planning.
Her commitment to community includes board participation with the American Heart Association, Blue Grass Trust, Lexington Rotary Club, YMCA of Central Kentucky, Blue Grass Community Foundation and more. In addition, Tilghman is a Leadership Lexington graduate, and has received many accolades and professional achievement awards during her career.
“Stock Yards Bank brings the strength and sophistication of a much larger institution to its clients while maintaining those personal relationships that are so important from a community bank. I am excited to introduce the resources and capabilities of Stock Yards Bank to Lexington and the central Kentucky region and build upon the combined strength of both Stock Yards Bank and Kentucky Bank.”
Stock Yards Bank Wealth Advisor Barbara Tilghman
