Anthony D. (Tony) Parrish has been promoted to president of Peoples Exchange Bank, Winchester, Ky.
Parrish, who has been with the bank since 1997, has served as market president, CFO, COO, and member of the board during his career at Peoples Exchange Bank. In 2018 he was promoted to CEO as part of a long-term succession process. He is the fourth person to lead the bank since its founding in 1912.
He has a Bachelor of Business Administration from Morehead State University, Morehead, Ky., and is a 1994 graduate of the Louisiana State University Graduate School of Banking.
“We have a great history of carefully planned leadership succession at Peoples Exchange Bank, and we’re following the model that has served our institution well for several generations,” said Chair Charles Beach III. “Tony’s commitment to our bank and customers coupled with his ability to inspire employees makes him the right person to preserve our culture and community banking values.”
Parrish takes on the role from Claude Bentley, who will be stepping down as president of the organization after 23 years in the position. He will continue his employment in a reduced capacity focusing on business development and asset risk management; he will remain on the board.
“Tony is a great banker, a leader, and uniquely qualified to become the next President and CEO of Peoples Exchange Bank,” said Bentley. “He has been a critical part of our company’s success and a trusted and loyal associate. I have full confidence that his new role as president and CEO will ensure that we are responsive to the needs of our customers and positions us for future growth.”
During their time together, Bentley and Parrish have led Peoples Exchange Bank through a period of sustained growth from $70 million to over $400 million in assets. They have expanded the bank’s footprint to Powell, Montgomery, Clark, Fayette and Scott counties from its original market area of Lee County.