Bank of the Bluegrass & Trust Co.,  an independent, full-service bank serving Lexington, Kentucky since 1972,  specializes in providing superior personal service.

It seems that banks these days are getting bigger and bigger, causing individual customers to become lost in the shuffle. At Bank of the Bluegrass & Trust Co., we strive to get to know each of our customers, and we call most of them by name when they come to the bank. Our number one goal is to remain independent and locally owned so that we may continue to be Lexington's friendliest bank.

Our Main Office is located at the corner of High and Limestone Streets in downtown Lexington.  Our first branch opened in 2003 at 215 Southland Drive. 

In 1933, Charles H.Jett, Sr. obtained a franchise for Servel Kerosene Refrigerators for Lexington & Central Kentucky. On January 1, 1936, Charles H. Jett, Jr. purchased the Servel Electrolux Gas Refrigerator franchise and business from his father.

He soon found that more refrigerators, stoves and other appliances could be sold if they were financed for $10 per month rather than selling them for $300 at one time. Hence the beginning of the installment loan and collection business. Installment lending was new and bankers required that high reserves be kept which forced the new business to save. During World War II, these reserves allowed the proprietorship, Charles H. Jett, Jr Appliances, to continue to provide service to its customers. Many of these same people and their children remain customers of the bank today.

In 1942, Mr. Jett, Jr. enlisted in the Army Air Corp and received a commision of First Lieutenant. The appliance business was reduced to a service and rental business, managed by Mayme Bush Jett, Mr. Jett, Jr's wife. Due to her efforts in maintaining the business, the valuable Servel Franchises were retained at the end of World War II.

On January 31, 1947, Charles H. Jett, Jr. organized the corporation Jett's Inc. for the purpose of selling and servicing kitchen appliances. The corporate articles have been amended several times since that date.

As the founder of the corporation, he served continuously as the Director for 36 years until his untimely death on April 25, 1983. During that time, he served first as President and later as Chairman of the Board. Mr. Jett's quick wit, humor, ready smile and hand shake were his trademark with business associates and friends. His innovative ideas, guidance and understanding of people and the markets were valuable assets to us all.

Charles H. Jett, Jr. purchased the Jett Building at 101 E. High Street in 1945 and remodeled the ground level and first floor for the operation of his appliance business in the spring of 1946. The second floor was used as his home until the fall of 1951. The red brick building was painted white.

The Jett's Inc. name was amended to Preferred Credit Corporation and an Industrial Loan Charter was obtained on September 10, 1956. During this period, the appliance sales and repair businesses were sold and moved to other locations. In 1957, the Jett Building was remodeled as an office building. The newly established Preferred Credit Corporation occupied a portion of the first floor.

The name was once again amended on July 24, 1959 to Preferred Thrift and Loan, Inc. Emphasis was now placed on obtaining more certificates of investments.

On December 31, 1966 the corporation was no longer dependent on commercial lenders. By becoming independent of commercial lenders, the corporation developed the basic financial structure of a bank.

April 10, 1972 saw the name amended to Bank of the Bluegrass, Inc. and a commercial bank charter was obtained. Eight people were employed by the bank.

In 1973, the vault, with the drive-up facility underneath, was constructed on the back of the Jett Building. And in 1980, the white paint was removed. On November 21, 1981, Trust services were added and the name was amended to Bank of the Bluegrass & Trust Co.

1983 saw the passing of C.H. Jett, Jr., and Charles H. Jett, III became Chairman of the Board and CEO.

By 1998, additional space was required for the growing number of employees, so a suite of offices was leased at 101 W. Vine Street. These offices initially housed our Trust Department, Bookkeeping and Human Resources Operations.

In 2000, after 40 years of service, Charles H. Jett, III passed away. Mark Herren was elected Chairman of the Board.

September 13, 2003 - Bank of the Bluegrass & Trust Co. opens their first branch at 215 Southland Drive, allowing continued bank growth with a total of over 50 employees.

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