By Laura Keeter | Daily Times Staff Writer

First Citizens Bank broke ground Tuesday on a 9,200-square-foot, two-story office building at 3129 Raleigh Road Parkway.

The new building is beside Heritage Crossing shopping center.

"We're just delighted to have them of course," said Ed Etheridge, one of the developers who was at the ceremony. The bank's beautiful building will greet people at one of the main entrances to the shopping center, he said. More development, yet to be announced, will fall in around the bank.

First Citizens Bank is part of Heritage Towne Centre, a development that begins with the Ruby Tuesday property and includes two hotels being constructed behind the restaurant. The total property is about 25 acres, Etheridge said.

The bank's 2.04-acre property is worth about $1.1 million.

Construction on the bank is expected to be completed in spring 2009, according to a bank press release.

The building will feature a Georgian-influenced classical style with a stucco exterior -- a signature architectural design used consistently by First Citizens throughout its markets. The branch includes three drive-through lanes and a drive-up ATM.

"First Citizens' focus on serving individuals, professionals and small to mid-sized companies is a perfect match for this growing area," said Ken Taylor, First Citizens' market leader for Wilson County. "The new office gives us an opportunity to extend our banking services along the developing Raleigh Road Parkway retail and business corridor. We're excited about continuing to develop long-lasting relationships with customers in Wilson."

First Citizens Bank's main office is now downtown, and bank officials have not announced the fate of that branch.

"We're evaluating that," Taylor said.

keeter@wilsontimes.com | 265-7817