Metropolitan National Bank, a banking bastion of Central Arkansas which blows into Northwest Arkansas with big plans in June 2005, has made some development on keeping development promises.

The bank has five branches in Benton and Washington counties and is building its Washington County headquarters at 4033 N. Shiloh Drive in Fayetteville.The building would have 9,000 square feet in one story and be finished by year’s end. The building could house about 16 employees, said Wyley Elliott, Northwest Arkansas president for Metropolitan National Bank.

The Washington County headquarters cost $2.58 million, according to Fayetteville building officials.