Citizens Bank was organized in December 1904 by a group of prominent citizens from the Brodhead, Kentucky community, launching the following January with J. Thomas Cherry as its first president. Over the course of more than 120 years, the bank has remained locally owned and community-focused through multiple generations of leadership.
The bank's early growth was shaped by A.M. Hiatt, who joined as Assistant Cashier and rose to Cashier in 1910, then President in 1936. Under Hiatt's leadership, Citizens Bank built a strong reputation among financial institutions in southeastern Kentucky. Following Hiatt's retirement in the 1950s, leadership passed to W.S. Cass and then R.C. Anderson, who served as President until his death in 1979.
Anderson's tenure was marked by significant modernization — the bank moved from its original 58-year-old location to a new facility in 1962. Known for keeping his desk in the lobby to remain accessible to customers rather than occupying the executive office built for him, Anderson led the bank through a period of substantial growth that earned recognition throughout Kentucky banking circles.
Bobby A. Proctor succeeded Anderson as President in 1979, overseeing facility renovations in 1985 and the opening of a branch office in Mount Vernon in July 1988 — which now serves as the bank's main office. Keith Smith assumed the presidency in 1997 following Proctor's retirement, and the current President, Corey C. Craig, took office in July 2004.
The current Board of Directors includes Ted R. Frith, Bobby Proctor, Joe Young, Sam Ford, Willis Coffey, Paul Stropkay, and Corey Craig. Citizens Bank continues to operate as a community-focused institution providing personal and business banking services to residents and businesses in Rockcastle and surrounding counties in southeastern Kentucky.