Ribbon cutting celebrates Fifth Third Bank expansion

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Fifth Third Bank officially celebrated the opening of its new financial center on Nashville Road Thursday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by local leaders, community partners and residents.

The event welcomed customers and community members into the new branch as the bank continues expanding its presence in south-central Kentucky.

Local officials, including Todd Alcott, mayor of Bowling Green, and city commissioner Sue Parrigin, attended the ceremony alongside representatives from the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce.

The celebration also featured music from DJ Tez and appearances from the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers’ mascot Big Red and cheerleaders. 

Bank leaders say Bowling Green is a key focus for the company’s future growth in Kentucky.

Officials with Fifth Third say the company plans to invest about $20 million in the Bowling Green community, with multiple additional locations already planned across the city.

Leaders say the Nashville Road financial center is designed differently from traditional banks, focusing more on relationship-based service rather than quick transactions at a teller line.

The open layout allows staff to meet customers wherever they feel most comfortable, whether discussing loans, mortgages or long-term financial planning.

City leaders say investments like this highlight the continued growth happening across Bowling Green, pointing to the city’s location along the Interstate 65 corridor and ongoing development projects attracting new businesses.

Lashlee Anthony, financial center manager at Fifth Third Bank, said the new branch is built around flexibility and connection with customers.

“We actually allow you to pick where you want to go versus ‘hey you sit here, hey you sit there,’” Anthony said. “So it gives you the flexibility and the warmth that we want to help you.”

Anthony, who is originally from Bowling Green, said serving her hometown makes the role especially meaningful.

“I’m born and raised in Bowling Green, so to be able to help my community, help WKU — it’s phenomenal. It’s actually breathtaking,” Anthony said. “Overall, I’m excited and ready to help the community as well as allow it to grow.”

Bank officials say the Nashville Road branch is just the beginning of their expansion in the region, with several more locations expected as Fifth Third continues growing its presence in south-central Kentucky.