First National Bank of NWA Enters Washington Co. Market

First National Bank of NWA (formerly First National Bank of Rogers) has opened its first banking office in Washington County.

The 3,100-SF, full-service branch opened in Fayetteville on Dec. 1 in the Paradise Valley Center at 2638 E. Joyce Blvd., its fifth location in the two-county area.

First National Bank of NWA, a division of The First National Bank of Fort Smith, rebranded from First National Bank of Rogers in July. It now has five local branches, with others in Rogers (two), Lowell and Centerton.

A sixth location is planned for Bentonville at 402 S.W. A St. near downtown Bentonville. Construction of that banking center, across the street from the Thrive mixed-use development under construction by ERC Companies, should begin in the first quarter of 2015.

Levon Ogden will oversee operations at the new Fayetteville office as vice president and commercial loan officer. Ogden, a native of Northwest Arkansas, has 13 years of banking experience in the Fayetteville market, most recently with Arvest Bank.

FNBNWA had $109.3 million in deposits in its four Benton County branches, as of June 30.

With the additional banking office, there are now 22 banks doing business in Washington County, according to the FDIC.