CHRISTIANSBURG - Litz Van Dyke, who became executive vice president and chief operating officer of FNB Corp. and president and chief operating officer of First National Bank just over a year ago, will leave Sept. 21 for a new job at another financial institution in Charlottesville.

Van Dyke, who joined First National Bank in 1989 as a commercial loan officer, became its president in March 2003. First National is the flagship bank for FNB, which is based in Christiansburg and is one of the largest publicly held commercial bank-holding companies based in Virginia. "I've decided to accept an opportunity that will require me to relocate," Van Dyke said late Wednesday afternoon, contacted after FNB officials issued a brief announcement of his resignation.

He said he has family members in Charlottesville, where he will be moving with his wife and three sons. He said the announcement of his new job will come from the financial institution where he will be going.

"We'll miss the New River Valley. We really enjoyed our nearly 16 years here," he said. But he said the new opportunity was too good to pass up.

A native of Tazewell County, Van Dyke graduated from Hampden-Sydney College. He is also a graduate of the American and Virginia Banker's Association schools of bank management. He has been active in chamber work in Montgomery County.

The First National Bank board named R. Bruce Munro to become interim president and CEO. Munro joined First National Bank in 1997, and became its executive vice president and chief risk officer earlier this year. He lives in Roanoke, and has been in banking since 1971. He is planning to retire in the near future, and said he is grateful for the chance to conclude his career as president and CEO of the bank.

"I am also confident in the strong leadership of FNB, and its ability to successfully manage through a period of transition while capitalizing on opportunities for further growth in the markets served," Munro said in a prepared statement.

He said Keith J. Houghton, executive vice president of FNB, will succeed him as chief risk officer. Houghton had already been in line for that position when Munro was planning to retire.

FNB has nearly $1.4 billion in assets. With its affiliates, it operates 26 branches, three loan offices and a financial service center.