Changes coming to Colonial Bank signs

Branch Banking & Trust Corp. will begin changing the signs at former Colonial Bank offices throughout the Gulf Coast region this weekend, leading up to what will likely be its biggest, if not highest, installation — the lettering atop Tampa's 36-story Park Tower.

The Winston-Salem, N.C.-based regional bank, which acquired Montgomery, Ala.-based Colonial from receivership last summer, has hired Burton Signworks Inc. of Mount Airy, N.C., to handle the rebranding of branches and office buildings. Plastic covers bearing the BB&T logo are currently in place to reflect the bank's new identity.

At Park Tower, 400 N. Tampa St., BB&T last week signed a 10-year lease renewal for 51,000 square feet occupied by Colonial. The $11 million lease reflects somewhat lower rent than Colonial's previous contract because of changing office market conditions.