Tom Noe and his peers at the 11-branch Peoples Community Bank in West Chester have been playing the “we ain't them” tune a lot lately.

        That refrain was spurred by the recent media coverage of Peoples Bank of Northern Kentucky, the Crestview Hills institution that had ties to the Erpenbeck Co. Erpenbeck, the Edgewood-based home builder, is under federal investigation for suspected bank fraud.

        Having a similar name has not been a good news for Peoples Community Bank in West Chester and other financial entities with the same moniker in nearby Tristate communities.

        Mr. Noe, chief financial officer at the $480 million-asset Peoples Community Bank has received about 50 calls from individuals and businesses asking if it is tied to the Erpenbeck Co. or the Northern Kentucky bank.

        “People see all the stuff in the paper, get worried and call us,” Mr. Noe Said. “We've been spending a lot of time explaining and assuring them that's not us.”

— Jeff McKinney

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