MNB Plans to Keep Expanding

Most everyone knows Metropolitan National Bank has had plans to open 12 offices in Benton and Washington counties. The bank made a media splash and said it would spend more than $30 million building those banks.

But now that many of the branches are opening up, with several openings planned for the fall and spring, the bank is starting to look toward a second phase.

Lunsford Bridges, CEO of the Little Rock-based bank, said other areas are looking attractive. He was guarded about naming any specific locations, but did say Lowell was an attractive spot for the Northwest Arkansas division.

This echoes information from another Little Rock bank that’s moved northwest — Bank of the Ozarks.

Both moved into the market about the same time (early last year) and both started with plans for a dozen offices.

As of mid-September, both BOZ and MNB each had three offices open in Benton County and two offices in Washington County.