Page 84 - BusinessWest September 1, 2021

The branch also employs a ‘universal banker’ model, Bannister said. “Any bank employee you see out here can do all the transactions. You can go to a teller pod or pop into an office if it’s more convenient or you just want privacy to have a conversation.” In other, more specialized offices down the hallway from the main area, he added, the bank will offer a mortgage expert, a wealth adviser, and other ancillary services.
And in front, at the main entrance, is a high table, couch, and coffee bar. “We’re trying to say to people, ‘come on in and hang out; get to know us a little bit,” Bannister said. “The thought is, we want to have sort of an open storefront.”
That’s partly to reflect the neighborhood the branch is in, with restaurants and small shops lining the streets and the shopping and dining mecca Blue Back Square just down the road.
“This area really is hopping with foot traffic,” he said. “And if you’re a bank with a retail store- front, you want foot traffic.”
Those who drive to PeoplesBank will appreci- ate the free parking lot the bank shares with the town’s Post Office.
“I used to work at a different bank, and that was the biggest issue we had, the parking,” Ode- dra said. “I’m so glad we have the parking we have. We don’t have to rush the customer out; we have time to have that one-on-one with them and invite them to have a cup of coffee.”
Bannister said West Hartford has been an enthusiastic town to work with, from its Chamber of Commerce to local economic-development leaders.
“Right from the start, when we were saying we wanted to come down, they were like, ‘how can we help?’ We’re in a lot of communities, and some
of them are very welcoming, and some are maybe not so much. This one has been great to work with.”
Opportunity Knocks
There’s room to expand in Hartford County, he added, with plans to open at least two more branches in the next couple of years.
“We’re coming in with a mes-
sage of ‘we’re here, and we’re here
to stay, and we can do everything
the big banks do, but with a local
feel and local decisions,’” De Maria said. “And I think that’s what’s missing in banking in general nowadays — being able to bank how you want to bank but also at a community bank where you don’t have to worry about who’s going to buy them.”
That presence means civic involvement and philanthropy as well, Bannister said, noting that PeoplesBank plans to give close to $60,000 in
the first month alone to local organizations like Habitat for Humanity, Hands on Hartford (which assists with food pantries and the homeless pop- ulation), the United Way, Foodshare, and even two West Hartford community events the bank
will sponsor this fall and next summer.
“We feel like we’re leading with the values we
want to be known by in the community, which are innovation, technology, customer service, and the community support.”
De Maria agreed with Bannister than broaden- ing the bank’s footprint in Connecticut is a must. “We will continue to actively look for physical locations, primarily in Hartford County,” she said. “We’re not opposed to outside Hartford County
The branch is fully staffed as well, with a mix of on-site and hybrid workers, reflecting the cur- rent makeup of the entire PeoplesBank organiza- tion. Some are West Hartford natives who know the market, Bannisher said, while
some were attracted by work-
ing near all the nearby restau-
rants and other neighborhood
amenities.
“
Right from the start, when we were saying we
wanted to come down, they were like, ‘how can we help?’ We’re in a lot of communities, and some of them are very welcoming, and some are maybe not so much. This one has been great to work with.”
should it make sense, but in Hartford County, we feel we have an opportunity for our brand to real- ly make an impact in the community.”
And that means expanded business, including commercial lending, Oleksak said. “I think there’s tremendous opportunity in this market for us, given our size and the experience of our lending staff. We’re very diverse, and between small busi- ness, large commercial real-estate loans, and now C&I expertise, I think we bring a lot to the table. It’s a great opportunity for us.” u
Joseph Bednar can be reached at [email protected]
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28 SEPTEMBER 1, 2021
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