May 15, 2009

Despite just faint glimmers of hope for a national economic recovery, and a banking industry increasingly under a federal microscope, there are positive signs in the local area.Peoples Bank held an open house Thursday at its first Muskingum County location, at 905 Zane St. in Zanesville, on the heels of the Community Bank opening its seventh banking center last month in Frazeysburg.The full-service office moved in to the Buckeye Supply building, which previously held the Ohio Workers Compensation offices. The site also houses offices for Peoples Financial Advisors and Peoples Insurance Agency Inc.

"I'm no banking expert, but looking at local, community or regional banks, whatever you want to call them, it's not all doom and gloom out there," said Tom Poorman, president of the Zanesville-Muskingum County Chamber of Commerce. "Even during a recession, there are companies that do well depending on the kinds of products or services they offer. So I'm not totally surprised a People's Bank or Community Bank is in expansion mode."Unemployment is too high here and we desperately need job creation here in any form, so it's good news, and they must see opportunity here," Poorman said.Deborah Hill, executive vice president, consumer and Business Financial Services with Peoples, said the bank opening reinforces the bank's commitment to the growth and success of Zanesville.