July 10, 2012

FirstBank closing 12 grocery-store branches

FirstBank will close 12 branches in the coming months, all of which are located in grocery stores such as King Soopers, Safeway or Albertsons.

The Lakewood-based bank began opening this type of branch in 1989, according to Northern Colorado market president Pat Brady, and as the banking world shifts, the “grocery store branches” are making less strategic sense.

Online banking is becoming more prevalent, Brady said, and closing the branches will allow for expenses to be saved and better used elsewhere.

SPONSORED CONTENT

Solar Operations and Maintenance for Commercial Properties

One key qualification to consider when selecting a solar partner to install your system is whether they have an Operations and Maintenance (O&M) or service department. Since solar is a long-term asset with an expected lifecycle of 30 plus years, ongoing O&M should be considered up front. A trusted O&M partner will maximize your system’s energy output and therefor the return on your investment.

None of the closures will take place in Northern Colorado, but all 12 are at branches in other parts of the state. Firstbank is also planning to open branches in Aurora and Glenwood Springs, as well as one in Chandler, Ariz.

Employees in the impacted branches will be absorbed by other locations, and deposits will be moved to other branches. Each grocery-store branch employed between four and six people and held $10 million to $20 million in deposits, according to Brady.

FirstBank has approximately 125 branches in Colorado, Arizona and California.

FirstBank will close 12 branches in the coming months, all of which are located in grocery stores such as King Soopers, Safeway or Albertsons.

The Lakewood-based bank began opening this type of branch in 1989, according to Northern Colorado market president Pat Brady, and as the banking world shifts, the “grocery store branches” are making less strategic sense.

Online banking is becoming more prevalent, Brady said, and closing the branches will allow for expenses to be saved and better used elsewhere.

None of the closures will take place in Northern Colorado, but all 12 are at branches in other parts of the state.…

Categories:
Sign up for BizWest Daily Alerts