Suffolk News-Herald

It was a dual celebration Tuesday morning on Godwin Boulevard for Farmers Bank.

Officials of the Windsor-based financial institution were joined by city officials and members of the community in cutting the ribbon to open their new Hillpoint office as well as celebrating the bank’s 85th anniversary.

Bank president and CEO Richard Holland Jr. praised Suffolk officials for helping navigate the permitting process and said he’s pleased the bank can contribute to the city’s success.

&uot;You’ll be pleased with us, I can assure that,&uot; Holland said. &uot;We come to build and grow, not for the purpose of selling, but for the purpose of service.&uot;

Suffolk Mayor Bobby Ralph praised Farmer bank for its investment in Suffolk. The Hillpoint office is Farmers Bank’s second Suffolk location. The Lakeside office is in the former BB&T building at the corner of Constance Road and Holland Road. He said the stately, 00,000 square-foot brick Hillpoint facility is &uot;setting the standard for what we want to see along this corridor.

Ralph, who sits on the board of the Bank of Hampton Roads, also talked about Holland’s father, Richard Holland, who was long-associated with the Farmers Bank.

&uot;Richard was a man committed to good banking and good principals,&uot; he said. &uot;That’s what Farmers Bank is all about.&uot;

Farmers Bank was founded in Windsor in 1919. A Smithfield office was opened in 1994.

&uot;The Suffolk community has always been important to us and we can not think of a better place to call home,&uot; Holland said. &uot;We look forward to many years of community service to Suffolk and Isle of Wight County.

Board member Peter Pruden II said the opening shows the bank’s commitment to the City of Suffolk and the growth potential of the community. Noting the bank’s anniversary, Pruden said, &uot;85 years is a real long time to be under one name.&uot;