People's Bank & Trust President Morris Butler has announced the appointment of Gary Bell as the Greensburg financial institution's new Executive Vice-President for Commercial Lending.

"I've reached out and stole another good Metcalfe and Adair County banker," President Butler said in making the announcement. Mr. Butler, one of Kentucky's leading trial lawyers, is senior partner in the firm of Butler, Butler, & Hudson.

Mr. Bell, Edmonton, has strong family ties in the area, Mr. Butler said.

He is the son of Ruby Bell and the late L.S. (Simmons) Bell of Nell, and the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. Curt Bell of Red Lick and Mr. and Mrs. Guy Firquin of Weed. "That makes him a nephew of your former sheriff, Jimmy Firquin," Mr. Butler said.

Mr. Bell is the second Metcalfe Countian to join People's Bank in the past six months. Late last year, Avery Matney was named Executive VP and CEO of the Bank.

In his new capacity, Mr. Bell will be primarily involved in production of large loans. He has served as a commercial lender at various instititions in the area from 1973 to 1993. Since 1993, he has served as an independent financial business consultant with International Investments, Inc, and was associated with Larry Glass Construction. He will continue both of these associations in addition to his new position.

The $69 million dollar People's Bank is one of the Porter Bancorp, Inc. family of banks, headed by J. Chester Porter and Marie Bouvette of Shepherdsville.

"Since we're part of a large group, bigger loans are easier for us to handle in-house," Mr. Bell said, adding, "but we want customers to know that there are no upper limits on the size of loans we can make-we'd just go outside our group and add more participants in the loan."

Peoples Bank Executive Vice President Todd Young noted that Mr. Bell will not be restricted in working with smaller loans. "If a customer prefers Mr. Bell, we'll be happy for that customer to see him," he said.

Mr. Bell is a graduate of Metcalfe County High School, Western Kentucky University, and has completed continuing education courses in banking

He is married to the former Benita Branstetter, the daughter of Bobby and Geneva Branstetter of Edmonton. They have one son, Brandon, a sophomore at Western Kentucky University. The Bells will continue to reside on Highway 163 in Edmonton.