December 23, 2003

Central Bank names Hope L. Preece Trust Investment Officer

Lexington, KY. -- Central Bank chairman, president and CEO, Luther Deaton, Jr., has announced the promotion of Hope L. Preece to trust investment officer.

Ms. Preece joined Central Bank in 2003 as an investment assistant for the bank's wealth management group. Her responsibilities include equity and fixed income trading, performance record maintenance, monitoring and aligning asset allocations, compliance, and assisting in equity portfolio management.

A native of Paintsville, Kentucky, Ms. Preece is a graduate of
Paintsville High School and Auburn University, having received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English. She also earned her Master of Business Administration Degree, also from Auburn University.

Hope lives in Lexington.

Central Bank is a subsidiary of Central Bancshares, Inc. which operates a total of 19 full service banking centers, 24 ATMs, a mortgage office and insurance agency in Clark, Fayette, Jessamine, Scott and Bath counties. As of September 30, 2003, Central Bancshares' total assets were $1.189 billion.

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