By Ivana Cheong
The corner at Densmore and N. 45th St. has been transformed in the past few months, as KeyBank has prepared to open its 162nd location.
This new establishment, which opens for business today, is part of KeyBank’s ongoing effort to enhance its presence in Washington. The bank plans to build 20 new branches through 2012.
“We’ve wanted a branch in Wallingford for a long time and this highly visible spot justifies the wait,” said Rick Wirthlin, president of Key’s Seattle-Cascades District, in a press release. “Wallingford residents, employees and business operators should find this branch to be enormously convenient.”
The Wallingford branch emphasizes the neighborhood’s strong sense of community. The entrance features four photographs of such local icons and scenes as the Wallingford Center and the Wallingford sign on the nearby QFC. According to branch manager Todd Crosby, there will be a small staff of seven, three of whom live in Wallingford.
“We’re very committed to being in the community. We have done a lot of business here previously, but we didn’t have a lot of presence, so we wanted to establish that,” said Crosby.
This branch includes safe deposit boxes, four teller windows, private meeting rooms, and a 24-hour walk-up ATM with a night drop for merchants that Crosby said “lights up with a red halo around it” at night.
As part of the opening celebration, KeyBank is making a $1,000 donation to the FamilyWorks Food Bank and Resource Center.
Crosby also mentioned that the branch is part of the Wallingford Chamber of Commerce; that it will be participating in the first-Wednesday Art Walk in June; and that they are working to be in the annual Kiddies Parade in July. “We are trying to be very community-based,” Crosby said, “because we are excited to be part of it.”
KeyBank will be open 9 a.m.to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Fridays, and 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturdays.
My Wallingford intern Ivana Cheong studies Communications at the University of Washington.
