PLK Communities

When developing luxury apartments and condominiums, plans can fluctuate right up until ground breaks on a project. PLK Communities needed a bank who could keep up.

“LCNB has been very responsive,” said CFO Jon Blackham. "We may change the exterior of the building, or we may decide to build 130 units instead of 120. They’ve been able to move as quickly as we do.”

Based in Cincinnati, PLK boasts 25 locations in Ohio and Kentucky with many more under development. Projects of this magnitude depend on numerous factors, and bringing them to life requires open communication and reliability. LCNB first stood out to Blackham as a potential partner because of their willingness to ask questions and understand the project.

“When you get a commitment from bankers and they don’t ask any questions, that’s a red flag,” Blackham says. “You don’t want to partner with a bank that doesn’t understand the risk. LCNB goes the extra mile to do their due diligence.”

The way that LCNB arrives at its terms allows PLK to move its projects forward with confidence. LCNB bankers don’t propose terms without getting the blessing of the entire team. As such, PLK knows LCNB will stand by their terms all the way through closing.

“With other banks, a banker gives us a term sheet, but they don’t have the ability to collaborate with bank leaders,” Blackham said. “Then we get close to closing and someone removed from the initial process has a qualm at the last minute. That doesn’t happen with LCNB.”

LCNB’s wide range of expertise helps PLK accomplish myriad goals. From apartments and condos to retail buildings and self-storage buildings, LCNB has helped with every aspect of the business.

“I have a great relationship with my banker, and I’m confident knowing that he has the entire LCNB team at his disposal.” Blackham says. “They are quick to dissect a deal, assess risk and make a decision. Their timeliness helps to reduce stress and complication for me.”