Heritage Bank set to open city branch
By Ty Johnson
Published in News on April 8, 2011 1:46 PM
The Heritage Bank, headquartered in Lucama, will open a new branch in Goldsboro at the former location of First Citizens Bank at the corner of Wayne Memorial and West Lockhaven drives.
The City Council approved site and renovation plans for the bank at its regular meeting March 21.
The Heritage Bank plans to construct an 800-square-foot-building addition and create additional parking before opening.
Heritage Bank has 15 locations in Wilson, Johnston, Wayne, Nash and Edgecombe counties and more than $250 million in assets.
Rick Watson, the senior vice president and regional supervisor for the Johnston and Wayne County branches, said the bank is eager to expand its operations in Goldsboro.
"We're looking to open as soon as we can," he said. "We have a presence in Goldsboro already. We've been there about four years. It's an important place to us."
Although the bank's current branch location at Wayne Plaza on East Ash Street has done well, Chief Executive Officer John Tilton said another branch would help to facilitate to the bank's customers, who reside mostly in northern Wayne County. Tilton said the bank had originally planned to open the new branch when it acquired the building, but the economy led to a reassessment.
"We bought the old building approximately two or three years ago, but the economy decided to take a dip so we decided to wait," he said.
Tilton anticipates the new location will increase business, but said current members will benefit greatly, especially as the branch will feature an outdoor ATM, the first Heritage Bank ATM in the city limits.
Tilton said he is aiming to open the new branch by the end of August, though it could be as late as mid-October if weather impacts the renovations.