Beginning with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Nov. 29, Commercial Bank is continuing the celebration of its newest addition in Harlan through Friday.

The bank is offering refreshments, door prizes and the opportunity to register for a $250 bonus drawing, to be held Friday.

President and CEO Terry Lee said the Harlan branch marks the 14th location for Commercial Bank. The main office, in Harrogate, Tenn., opened Nov. 1, 1976.

"Harlan County has been extremely good to us," Lee said, emphasizing that the Cumberland branch, also relatively new, has been extremely successful and another location will only improve services.

"We feel we'll be an asset to the community because we're very customer-service oriented. We know customers come first."

Will Clem, vice president and manager of the Harlan branch, was quick to recognize those who have contributed to the opening.

"The opening of this bank confirms Commercial Bank's commitment to Harlan County. I'm grateful to Terry Lee and the board of directors for bringing a branch to my hometown," Clem said.

Clem, who has served with the Cumberland branch for two years, has 19 years of banking experience in the area.

Edwin Robertson, board chairman of the bank, said the Harlan branch will help "fill the gap" between the bank's locations in Cumberland and Harrogate.

He said that plans are under way to expand Commercial Bank even further, explaining that a new, full-service bank is in the works for Pineville. Customers could see an early summer opening, he said.

According to Nikki Lockhart, marketing director for Commercial Bank, the company has consistently received a five-star rating (for 23 consecutive quarters) from Bauer Financial Inc., the country's leading independent bank rating firm.

A list of services offered by the bank can be found on the company's Web site at www.cbtn.com.