Planters Bank was founded in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, by a group of local business and civic leaders. The bank was capitalized with $7 million raised primarily from residents of Christian County.

Original Board of Directors:

• Ben S. Fletcher III – Chair *
• Randy Arnold *
• James Drury *
• Carmichael Fels – Bank President 
• Katherine Flynn*
• William T. Williams*
• Hill Ferguson III

*Co-founders

Hill Ferguson III was appointed interim President after Planters Bank CEO Carmichael “Mike” Fels shockingly passed away at age 53.

Upon Hill Ferguson III’s retirement in 2002, Elizabeth McCoy was promoted to President and Chief Executive Officer.

Planters Bank procured property at 325 Commerce Street in Downtown Clarksville, Tenn., which was previously occupied by buildings demolished by the devastating 1999 Clarksville Tornado. Planters Bank officially expanded into the Clarksville market by opening for business in a temporary modular facility on the site. The bank quickly reveals plans for a 7,200 sq. ft. office building to be constructed on the same tract. This structure became the first newly constructed building in Clarksville’s Downtown District following the tornado, which destroyed or damaged many historic homes, landmarks and commercial buildings.

Planters Bank acquired Indiana-based Old National Bank branches located in five Western Kentucky communities: Dawson Springs, Princeton, Providence, Sebree and Sturgis. The Bank retained key personnel in each community and significantly improved the appearance and functionality of all offices.

Planters Bank introduced its first “Season of Giving,” a bank-wide holiday-themed fundraising campaign benefiting local non-profit organizations in each of the bank’s communities.

Bank CEO Elizabeth McCoy was elected to the Board of Directors of the St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank, one of 12 regional Reserve Banks that, along with the Board of Governors in Washington, D.C., oversee the United States’ Federal Reserve System.

Kelley Workman was promoted to President of Planters Bank; Elizabeth McCoy maintained the title of CEO.

Planters Bank completed a multi-year facility acquisition initiative – accompanied by facility renovations, landscaping and new parking lots – to create a Main Campus environment in Downtown Hopkinsville (7 buildings). In Downtown Clarksville, the Welch Building was also purchased and fully rehabilitated as a Commercial Services office.

The Covid-19 pandemic disrupted practically every aspect of U.S. and global commerce. Planters Bank quickly ramps up the federally backed Payroll Protection Program lending effort, providing a rapid response to small businesses to help keep personnel paid, thus avoiding financial disaster for both businesses and employees.

Planters Bank celebrates its 25th Anniversary. The bank has grown to total assets exceeding $1.3 billion, ranking it among the top 15 in asset size of Kentucky headquartered banks.