ERIK SANZENBACH / L’Observateur / July 26, 2000

LAPLACE – The first full-service branch of First National Bank U.S.A. in St.John Parish was officially opened on Belle Terre Boulevard Saturday.

Bank CEO Brandt J. Dufrene and vice-president and branch manager, C.J.Clement Jr., cut the ribbon on the new bank which is housed temporarily ina modular building near the intersection of Belle Terre Boulevard and Fairway Drive.

Before the bank opening First National Bank USA handled only mortgages in St. John Parish from its office farther up Belle Terre Boulevard. With theopening of the bank they can now offer the residents of LaPlace all the services of a bank from savings accounts to an ATM. They also haveconvenient drive-up banking.

The management of First National Bank USA are very excited to be in St.

John Parish.

“This is the place to be, ” said Clement. “People here have accepted us. “Clement said the bank has already exceeded its growth goals for 2002.

“We are not hurting for loans at all,” said Clement.

First National Bank USA started up in 1975 with an office in Boutte. Sincethat time, branches have opened in Norco and now LaPlace. The bank alsohas mortgage offices in Mandeville, Metairie and Hammond.

First National Bank USA, locally owned and operated, has grown from just under $5 million in assets in 1975 to just under $75 million in 2000.

Clement, a native of St. Rose, said, “Banking has become fun again, and itis a real pleasure for me to work in St. John Parish.”Attending Saturday’s ribbon-cutting was St. John Parish President NickieMonica along with St. John Parish’s Chief Executive Officer Chris Guidryand Chief Financial Officer Jeff Clement.

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