Long standing tradition, commitment to community and a determination to raise the bar for the financial industry are just a few of the qualities in area financial institutions that residents have in their favor. Whether it is at a regional firm, a national competitor or a local credit union, banking services have become an integral part of the lives of many area residents.
“For nearly a hundred years, Fidelity Bank has focused on helping small to mid-size businesses become successful,” said Sarah Rittman, vice-president marketing, Fidelity Bank.
“The Bank is dedicated to building long-term relationships with these customers, treating them with respect, courtesy and personalized service they deserve,” she continued. “We aim to do right by our customers and pride ourselves on our solid, results-focused approach to financial services,” she added.
“As the leading bank in North Carolina, Bank of America has unmatched capacity to deliver financial services and unparalleled opportunities to make a positive impact in the communities we serve,” said Lena Hogge, vice-president and city executive as she discussed the company’s commitment to high standards as they offer worldwide banking services.
“With more than 16,000 associates in North Carolina alone, we look forward to continued growth as we aspire to be the world’s most admired bank by following our commitment higher standards,” she noted.
Hogge went on to describe the mission that embodies the company’s commitment to continually raise the bar for performance in the in the products and services the agency offers its customers; the professional opportunities and workplace benefits provided to its associates; the leadership and community investment demonstrated and the strength and consistency of the financial returns provided to Bank of America shareholders.
A recent merger gave a catapulted RBC Centura from a regional firm to a world-wide competitor. “RBC Centura has operated continuously in Henderson since 1954, focusing on customer service, growth and community involvement,” said Scott Burnette, branch center manager, Chestnut Street.
“Now our union with Royal Bank of Canada, named one of the top 5 financial services providers worldwide in 2000, gives us local roots, with world class, global capabilities,” he added.
Community oriented activities are what make First Citizens stand out from other regional banks, according to Dennis Renn, vice-president. “At First Citizens, we extend our commitment to service to our communities where we donate resources and time to make them better places to live and work,” he said.
“We feel a strong sense of responsibility to the more than 200 cities and towns that we call home and are proud of our tradition of involvement that includes philanthropy, leadership and volunteer support,” he added.
The organizational structure of BB&T encourages each
bank branch to take a community-minded approach as well. “BB&T’s
operating strategy distinguishes it from other financial holding
companies,” said Chuck Teeter, vice-president and city executive
for BB&T. “BB&T's banking subsidiaries are organized as a group
of community banks, each with a regional president, which allows
decisions to be made locally, close to the customer,” he explained.
“This also makes BB&T's customer service more responsive,
reliable and empathetic,” Teeter continued.
The not-for-profit atmosphere of credit unions allows for low-cost services in a members-only setting. “The primary objective of the State Employees Credit Union is to provide fair and convenient, low-cost services,” said Anna Lemert, vice-president and city executive, State Employees Credit Union.
She went on to explain that the credit union is owned and operated by SECU members for their own benefit. Members include State of North Carolina and public school employees and their immediate family members and share a common bond, making their financial needs and goals tend to be similar.
BB&T
BB&T Corporation, headquartered in Winston-Salem, N.C.,
is the nation's 12th largest financial holding company, and is a fast growing,
highly profitable financial holding company. As of Sept. 30, 2003, BB&T
has more than 27,750 employees, $90 billion in assets and operates more
than 1,400 banking offices in 11 states and Washington, D.C.
BB&T's roots go back to 1872, when in the aftermath of the
Civil War, Eastern North Carolina lay tattered, battered and torn ... an
easy mark for profiteers and politicians bent on destroying what little
remained. Alpheus Branch, the son of a wealthy planter in Halifax
County, joined forces with Thomas Jefferson Hadley, a Wilson county
native who was trying to organize the first system of public schools.
In 1872, they created a banking institution people could believe in,
Branch and Hadley. The name was later changed to BB&T Corporation.
Since 1989, BB&T has completed the acquisition of 57
community banks and thrifts, more than 70 insurance agencies and 23
non-bank financial services companies. This acquisition strategy has
contributed significantly to BB&T's success.
BB&T and its subsidiaries offer full-service commercial and
retail banking and additional financial services such as insurance, investments,
retail brokerage, corporate finance, international services, leasing and trust.
More information is available at www.BBandT.com.
BB&T is rated as one of the country's safest and soundest financial
institutions. For the fifth year in a row, it was rated one of the top two
"small business-friendly" financial holding companies in the country, according
to the U.S. Small Business Administration and is the top small business lender
in the Carolinas. It is the top mortgage lender in the Carolinas. Its Insurance
subsidiary, which operates more than 75 agencies in 10 states, is the 8th largest
retail insurance broker in the United States and the largest in the Carolinas,
Virginia and West Virginia.
BB&T operates more than 1,400 banking offices in 11 states and Washington, D.C. Its offices are in the Carolinas, Virginia, West Virginia,
Kentucky, Georgia, Maryland, Tennessee, Alabama, Indiana, Florida and
Washington, D.C.
BB&T is has two Henderson branches, located on Chestnut Street
and Dabney Drive. For more information, call 492-2181 or visit the bank on
the world wide web at www.BBandT.com.
Bank of America
By utilizing the innovative technologies and
the ingenuity of its people, Bank of America provides individuals,
small businesses and commercial, corporate and institutional clients
across the United States and around the world new and better ways to manage their financial lives.
Bank of America offers the nation’s largest services network, including approximately 4,400 domestic offices and more than 13,200 ATMs as well as 31 international offices serving clients in more than 150 countries, and an Internet web site, located at www.bankofamerica.com, that provides access to 6 million active users. In North Carolina, the Bank serves customers through 209 banking centers and more than 440 ATMs.
The institution offers consumer, commercial, small business, premier and private banking, in addition to global and corporate investment banking, principal investing and wealth management and other financial areas of expertise. To access services, Bank of America offers increased convenience via the largest network of banking centers and ATMS, as well as online and telephone banking. Products include free checking, free online banking with Bill Pay, Total Security Protection, Mini Check Card, Safe Send, Teacher Flex and Teacher Zero Down.
Bank of America does business in 21 states plus the District of Columbia and serves customers through 31 international offices with clients in more than 150 countries. Over the next two years, the Bank will add 550 new banking centers in the top 25 growth markets throughout the country, focusing on expanding its customer base. In North Carolina, they will add approximately 10 new banking centers by the end of 2004.
In Henderson, Bank of America has three banking centers: 826 South Garnett Street, 1405 North Garnett Street and an ATM at the Henderson Mall.
For more information about products and services offered locally, contact the main branch at 430-5406.
Central Carolina Bank
Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2003, Central Carolina Bank (CCB) offers full service retail and commercial banking services in nearly 270 branches in North and South Carolina.
CCB is very strong in commercial real estate and business lending services, according to Gary Honeycutt, Oxford branch vice-president. The bank also offers “no closing cost” home loans up to 100% of the value of the property and has a mortgage officer on staff in the Oxford location at 140 Main Street, Honeycutt noted.
Investment and insurance services including group insurance plans are available from affiliated subsidiaries, including the Oxford branch.
Other services offered by CCB include checking, savings, certificates of deposit, retirement accounts, home equity and mortgage loans, estate planning and trust services, commercial cash management and internet banking.
CCB is part of the National Commerce Financial (NCF) Corporation family of companies. NCF (NYSE: NSE) is a $21 billion asset organization with its operation’s headquarters in Durham, NC. Its bank brands – Central Carolina Bank, First Market Bank and National Bank of Commerce – operate more than 480 branches and 550 ATMs in eight southeastern states.
Locally, CCB serves Vance, Granville, Franklin and Person counties. The Oxford branch can be reached by calling (919) 693-4928. More information can be found on the world wide web at www.ccbonline.com.
Community National Bank
Community National Bank opened in Henderson in 1997 at 300 Dabney Drive Extension and offers a wide variety of banking and financial services to area residents.
One service which branch manager and vice-president Wayne Harp believes makes his establishment special is free checking to all individuals and businesses with no monthly service charges. Their services are also readily available via the drive-in which is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
Other services offered by Community National include savings accounts, CDs, IRAs, savings bonds, travelers cheques, personal loans, commercial loans and mortgage loans.
The main offices for Community National Bank are located in South Boston, Va. First opening in 1985, the bank now has offices in nine communities in North Carolina and Virginia. A new branch will soon be opening in Emporia, VA by the year-end.
Community National Bank can be reached locally by calling 438-6222.
Fidelity Bank
Fidelity Bank first opened its doors in 1909 with the philosophy that they would provide friends and neighbors with a solid, secure place to keep their money and a reliable, welcoming place to come when needing a loan. To this day, their business philosophy has changed very little.
Fidelity Bank offers all of the products and services typically found in a large, regional financial services firm. “Our easy to understand checking accounts can meet the needs of any size business, and our customized, thoughtful loan decisions make us the right choice for businesses and individuals alike,” noted Sarah Rittman, VP Marketing.
Fidelity Bank has 64 branches throughout the state of North Carolina and two branches in Virginia. Locally, a branch can be found at 1537 Dabney Drive in Henderson. More information about their products and services can be found by calling 430-0440.
First Citizens Bank and Trust Company
First Citizens roots are found in rural eastern North Carolina. Known as the Bank of Smithfield, the institution opened in Smithfield in 1898, serving primarily agricultural customers and followed the guidance of Robert Powell Holding.
Following Holding’s death in 1957, his sons Robert, Jr., Lewis and Frank continued the business, and under their leadership, First Citizens passed the $1 billion plateau in assets and built the bank into a financial force in North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. Today, First Citizens tops $12 billion in assets and is among the 100 largest financial holding companies in the United States.
First Citizens prides itself on the fact that many of its associates have been with the bank for decades, and this consistency gives customers a unique continuity of service that sets the bank apart. The bank also works hard to develop strong relationships with its customers to allow its associates to identify the services the customers needs.
First Citizens offers a number of products and services including business and personal banking, along with trust, financial planning, investor relations, cash management and insurance. The bank provides a network of more than 400 ATMs, a customer contact center for telephone banking and online banking options through www.firstcitizens.com.
First Citizens Bank has 340 branches in North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. The bank’s parent company, First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (Nasdaq: FCNCA) has launched a far-reach expansion effort, strategically positioning the bank in high growth areas across the country, including Georgia, Florida, Texas, Arizona and California.
First Citizens is found locally at 1205 Dabney Drive in Henderson. The branch can be reached by calling 492-4145. More information about the products and services offered by First Citizens can be found online at www.firstcitizens.com.
Freedom Federal Credit Union
Since 1952, Freedom Federal Credit Union has operated as a not-for-profit credit union in Henderson. In the 1990’s, the agency merged with Rose’s Stores Credit union.
Freedom Federal Credit Union offers checking and savings accounts, a variety of loans including auto, home and personal, free online banking and free bill pay services.
“As a not-for-profit credit union, we give you higher savings rates, lower loan rates and charge fewer fees than banks,” said Clint Williams, director of membership at Freedom Federal as he described the benefits of a credit union.
The Henderson branch is located at 900 Dorsey Avenue in Henderson.
Any individual that lives or works in Vance County can join Freedom Federal.
For more information, contact a representative by calling 431-1111. More information can be obtained on the world wide web at www.freedomfcu.com.
RBC Centura Bank
RBC Centura has operated continuously in Henderson since 1954, focusing on customer service, growth and community involvement. Originally Henderson’s Commercial and Industrial Bank, it was one of the founding institutions of People’s Bank. After a subsequent merger with Planter’s Bank, Centura Bank was formed. In 2000, the bank announced a new union with the Royal Bank of Canada, to form RBC Centura.
The Bank prides itself on its ability to maintain local roots. RBC Centura is guided by an active Board of Directors comprised of community business and civic leaders, which helps to guide the bank and inform the bank of community needs.
RBC Centura is especially proud of the fact that it has been named “Best Bank” by The Daily Dispatch’s annual reader’s poll seven out of the past eight years. Bank officials attribute this to experienced employees and a 50-year commitment to customer service, growth and community involvement.
With 2 locations in Henderson (Chestnut Street and Dabney Drive) and 24 employees in Vance County, RBC Centura is a full-service bank offering personal banking, real estate finance, small business, mortgage and investment – retirement planning services.
RBC Centura maintains a 300 plus multi-state branch network reaching from South Florida to the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia, making them the seventh largest financial institution in North America.
RBC Centura can be reached locally by calling 430-3340 at the Dabney Drive branch or 430-3700 to reach the Chestnut Street main office.
State Employees Credit Union
The State Employees Credit Union (SECU) was organized on June 4, 1937 in Raleigh. It is the largest credit union in North Carolina and the second largest in the United States. The Henderson branch initially opened in January of 1987, and thanks to consistent growth, has moved to the present location on Graham Avenue in 1999.
The credit union offers to its members a wide range of services including deposit accounts, loans, investment services and insurance. SECU owns its own ATM machines, called Cash Points, which are located conveniently across the state. In addition, the credit union offers Phone Center, voice response, TDD, debit cards, direct deposit, payroll deduction and web site services.
Geographically, the SECU serves the state of North Carolina, but has members located all over the world.
The Henderson branch is presently undergoing an addition to the current building on Graham Avenue. The parking lot is being expanded to accommodate more customers as well.
Branch representatives can be reached by calling 492-0168 or by emailing secuhend@gloryroad.net. More information about SECU services can be found on the world wide web at www.ncsecu.org.