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Reminder Assistant Editor EAST LONGMEADOW "Big box" corporations are everywhere, which often makes a business transaction faceless and impersonal. That's why United Bank, which recently hosted its grand opening in East Longmeadow, makes sure to put a name and a face to all its employees and its customers. "We bring being local to the table," Nicole Skelly, personal banking officer, said. "We're West Springfield local, not Pittsfield local, not Boston or New York local." Dena Hall, vice president of marketing and community relations, said, "The personal banker is the key to everything. It's the core. Customers have a local full-service team available at the East Longmeadow branch." In addition to Skelly, there is Mike Whitman, vice president of commercial lending, Denise Ouellette, customer service representative, Cheryl Pesto, assistant vice president and cash management officer and four full and part-time tellers. "It really is a team approach," Pesto told Reminder Publications. "We're all working together. If one of us isn't available to help, then another one always is." In addition to free checking, savings and business accounts, United Bank offers a variety of investment alternatives, according to Hall. "East Longmeadow is a great market," Hall continued. "Being here expands our footprint and fills in a gap, since we have branches in Longmeadow and Sixteen Acres." She said the branch, located at 94 Shaker Rd., has been open just over a month and is doing "very, very well." "We're really looking to get involved with the community," Hall stated. "We started developing relationships with the [East Longmeadow] Educational Endowment Fund, the Junior Achievers and the public schools last fall." She added the bank will be hosting a series of open houses over the next few weeks so town residents can get to know those who work at the bank and the bank itself. The grand opening cocktail reception took place last Wednesday evening, when a citation from Sen. Gale Candaras was presented to the new United Bank branch. Rep. Mary Rogeness and selectmen Jack Villamaino and Joe Townshend stopped by to offer their well wishes. Cara Stone, an East Longmeadow resident and part-time teller at the branch, said it was nice to see so many people turn out for the grand opening. "I like seeing my neighbors and being close to my kids [working here]," she said. Lobby hours for the Shaker Road location are Monday through Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Drive-up hours are Monday through Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information about United Bank, visit www.bankatunited.com. | ||||||
