Thursday’s rain had little impact on the smiles inside a former Pizza Hut building on Nashville Road that is now home to Bowling Green’s first branch from Fifth Third Bank.

Local government officials, representatives from the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce and Fifth Third Personnel gathered to cut the ribbon on the Nashville Road Financial Center, which sits at 2450 Nashville Road. Also in attendance were several cheerleaders from Western Kentucky University and mascot Big Red.

Lashlee Anthony, a Bowling Green native who serves as manager for the bank, described the opening of the location as “breathtaking.”

“I’m excited, I’m eager and ready to help the community,” she said.

Before now, the nearest location for Fifth Third customers was in Tennessee. With the Bowling Green location, Anthony said it will provide easier banking opportunities for existing customers and for students at WKU.

“They were excited they don’t have to drive 45 minutes down to Nashville — they can come to us,” she said. “And WKU has been really supportive.”

Along with the new location, Fifth Third will park its “eBus” at WKU’s Knicely Conference Center on Monday. A press release from the bank states that the bus will provide financial resources for free to visitors, including credit reports and financial education tools.