First Bank & Trust Company was named to Seifried & Brew LLC’s 2011 Top 15th Percentile of Community Banks. FB&T was recognized for balancing risk and reward based on  the bank’s S&B Total Risk/Return Composite Ranking. First Bank & Trust has locations in southwest Virginia, the New River Valley, Shenandoah Valley and northeast Tennessee.

Here is a press release from First Bank & Trust Company.

June 14, 2012 – Seifried & Brew LLC, a community bank risk management firm, named First Bank & Trust Company in its 2011 Top 15th Percentile of Community Banks. To gain entry into this distinguished ranking, the Bank demonstrated exemplary performance of balancing risk and reward based on the Bank’s S&B Total Risk/Return Composite Ranking. This is no small feat considering that the Bank not only survived the Financial Crisis but actually thrived. This supports Seifried & Brew’s belief that conservative, traditional community banking is the strength of our financial system. Read more »

John Register was recognized by the Investment Centers of America, Inc. He was named most promising new representative at the company’s national conference earlier this month. Register is employed by Valley Bank.

Here is the press release from Valley Bank.

Roanoke, Virginia (March 27, 2012) – Valley Bank’s wealth management subsidiary, Valley Wealth Management Services Inc., announced today that Investment Centers of America, Inc. (“ICA”) recognized John Register as ICA’s most promising new representative at the company’s national conference in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida earlier this month.

In a press release issued last week, ICA President Greg Gunderson commented, “Our representatives’ success comes from their dedication to doing what is best for their clients’ individual needs. John has demonstrated a firm dedication to putting the needs of his clients first and has committed a generous amount of time and effort to each relationship. He exemplifies the philosophy and values that are the foundation of ICA.” Read more »

Carilion Federal Credit Union completed its merger with Freedom First Federal Credit Union. Carilion FCU accounts were transferred to Freedom First on Thursday. The Carilion FCU location on Jefferson Street will stay open and operate as a branch of Freedom First.

Here is the press release from Freedom First Credit Union.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 1, 2012 (Roanoke, VA)—Carilion Federal Credit Union is now a part of Freedom First Federal Credit Union. Effective March 1, 2012, existing Carilion FCU accounts transferred to Freedom First.

Based upon Freedom First’s financial strength, commitment to service, extensive product line, and expanded branch and ATM locations, the Board of Carilion FCU unanimously voted to adopt a resolution to merge with Freedom First. On December 1, 2011, the membership of Carilion FCU approved a plan to merge with Freedom First by an overwhelming majority, 94 percent of those voting! Regulatory approval was also obtained by the National Credit Union Administration. Read more »

Freedom First Federal Credit Union has won several state and national awards for helping lower income members finance automobiles and involvement in community projects.

Here is the press release from Virginia Credit Union League. Read more »

Ivy Dill

Ivy Dill was named the 2011 Ambassador of the Year by The Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce. She is the vice president, commercial banker at First Citizens Bank.

Here is the press release from The Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Read more »

Joshua Bradley

Joshua Bradley has been named the Backbone Club’s 2010 Jack C. Smith Top Producer by the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce. He is the diversified commercial relationship manager with Wells Fargo.

Here is the press release from the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Read more »

Bassett Furniture Industries Inc.’s board of directors has declared a special dividend of 50 cents per share of common stock outstanding payable on Jan. 3, 2012 to holders of record on Dec. 23, 2011.

Here’s a news release from Bassett Furniture:

Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq:BSET), today announced that its Board of Directors has declared a special dividend of $0.50 per share of common stock outstanding payable on January 3, 2012 to holders of record on December 23, 2011.

Earlier this year, after the sale of its interest in the International Home Furnishings Center in High Point, N. C., the Company reinstated its regular quarterly dividend, returning to shareholders $0.03 per share on both June 1, 2011 and September 1, 2011. Additionally, Bassett increased the regular dividend for the next payment to $0.035 per share, which will be made on December 1, 2011 to holders of record on November 15, 2011.

“Given the uncertainty in overall economic conditions and an adverse credit climate, we believe it is prudent to be conservative with our cash position,” said Robert H. Spilman, Jr. CEO and President.

“However, as the Company reviewed and updated its plans for the future while weighing the Company’s improved balance sheet against economic and market uncertainties, the Company and Board of Directors felt that payment of a special dividend would be appropriate at this time and would be welcomed by a significant segment of its long-term shareholders.”

Roanoke accounting firms Anderson & Reed LLP and Scearce & Crabbs PC have announced they will merge in January and continue to provide services under the name Anderson & Reed.

Scearce & Crabbs’ five employees will join Anderson & Reed’s 15 employees at their 1515 Franklin Road location.

Here’s a news release from Anderson & Reed:

The firm of Scearce & Crabbs, PC will be joining the firm of Anderson & Reed, LLP on January 1, 2012. Long-time Ronoanoke CPA’s Jim Scearce and Richard Crabbs specialize in accounting and tax services across multiple industries and look forward to continuing to provide excellent service to their clients. ”Both firms share the same focus on providing quality service and are excited about working together,” says Alex Bowman a partner with Anderson & Reed, LLP.

Goldman, Sachs & Co. managing director in investment banking Jason Silvers’ Nov. 3 talk at Radford has been canceled because of scheduling conflicts. Here’s a news release from Radford University:

As a result of scheduling conflicts, the Nov. 3 Radford University Global Capitalism Lecture Series presentation featuring Dr. Jason Silvers, managing director in the Investment Banking Division at Goldman, Sachs & Co., has been canceled.

The event will be rescheduled. Details will be released when available.

Member One Federal Credit Union has donated $5,910 to the American Heart Association. The donation was funded by the union’s “Loans for Hearts Campaign,” in which the bank donated $10 to the American Heart Association for every loan closed in the month of July.

Here’s the full news release from Member One Federal Credit Union:

Member One Federal Credit Union recently donated $5,910.00 to the American Heart Association. The donation corresponded with Member One’s “Loans for Hearts Campaign”. For every loan closed in the month of July, Member One donated $10.00 to the American Heart Association.

Read more »