cfsbank will open California Borough branch next month
Residents of California Borough and nearby communities will be getting an early Halloween treat.
cfsbank has announced that the full-service branch it is developing in the borough “will officially open” on Oct. 5 at 256 Third Street, a location where Key Bank previously had operated a branch.
Key Bank, which consolidated that branch with the one already in Monongahela, announced earlier this year that it planned to shutter its California site in late August – leaving clients without a full-service location in the borough.
Revelation of those plans sparked a rapid response from community leaders, who contacted cfsbank about the possibility of setting up a branch in California. They got a quick response as well.
The bank said in a news release that “recognizing the importance of maintaining access to local banking services,” it decided to explore that possibility and began listening to public input.
cfsbank went for it and began refurbishing the former Key Bank location for full-service operations.
In the interim, the bank strived to forge ties with the public, including hosting a community town hall, participating in local events and providing temporary account-opening sessions to enable residents and businesses to set up banking relationships before the branch opened.
John Gill, bank president and CEO, said in a statement: “We didn’t initially have California on our expansion plan, but when a community tells you they need a bank and asks you to be part of their future, you listen.”
“The response we have received from California has been incredible. We’re excited to open our doors and become a permanent part of this community.”
Danielle Maurer, chief operating and retail officer at cfsbank, said: “From our first conversations with community leaders to our town hall and account-opening sessions this summer, the people of California have made us feel incredibly welcome,
“October 5 isn’t just about opening another cfsbank branch,” she added. “It’s about following through on the commitment we made to this community, and we can’t wait to officially open our doors.”
Hours at the new branch will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday.
Jessica Smith, known less formally as Jess, will be the branch manager.
“California is home to me,” she said. “So having the opportunity to lead a cfsbank branch right here in this community is incredibly special.” She will work alongside Michael Streets and Joshua Wright, who were previously employed at California’s Key Bank.