BUFFALO, N.Y., Oct. 17, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Niagara Financial Group (Nasdaq:FNFG) today announced that the company will consolidate 17 branches and two off premise drive-thru locations across its four-state footprint in January 2015, as the company continues to evaluate its branch network. First Niagara has continued to invest in mobile and online banking technologies, which are now used by more than 200,000 and 500,000 of its customers, respectively. Following these changes, the company will continue to operate more than 390 branch locations across its four-state footprint.
"Across the financial services industry branch traffic, and the number of transactions handled per branch, are declining and self-service transactions are increasing. First Niagara is no different," said Mark Rendulic, First Niagara Executive Vice President, Consumer Financial Services. "A majority of customers prefer online, mobile and ATMs for simple transactions – and their use of these technologies is growing. Branches remain a critical part of our business; as customers value personal interaction for life-changing investments and more complex banking transactions. As customer preferences continue to change, we are committed to evolving our branch network and our in-branch services to keep pace with their needs."
Customers of the impacted branches will receive a written notice, sent 90 days in advance of the closing date. The majority of the receiving branches are within three miles of the closing branch. Customer accounts will be automatically moved to the receiving branch.
Team members who are impacted by these changes will either transition to new, customer-facing roles or will have an opportunity to apply for any of the more than 200 open positions within the company.
The following branches will be consolidated:
| Branch | Address | City | State |
Zip Code |
|
| VESTAL PLAZA | Closing | 4700 Vestal Pkwy E | Vestal | NY | 13850 |
| Oakdale Mall | Receiving | 200 Oakdale Mall | Johnson City | NY | 13790 |
| PLAZA-ROCHESTER | Closing | 1 HSBC Plaza | Rochester | NY | 14639 |
| Downtown Rochester Branch | Receiving | 19 West Main Street | Rochester | NY | 14614 |
| SANFORD FARMS PRICE CH | Closing | 141 Sanford Farms | Amsterdam | NY | 12010 |
| Route 30 Maple Avenue Branch | Receiving | 4773 State Highway 30 | Amsterdam | NY | 12010 |
| WESTVILLE | Closing | 36 Fountain Street | New Haven | CT | 6515 |
| Woodbridge Branch | Receiving | 211 Amity Road | Woodbridge | CT | 6525 |
| VERNON TRI-CITY | Closing | 35 Talcottville Road | Vernon | CT | 6066 |
| Vernon Branch | Receiving | 348 Hartford Turnpike | Vernon | CT | 6066 |
| MANCHESTER SHOP RITE | Closing | 214 Spencer Street | Manchester | CT | 6040 |
| East Hartford Silver Lane Branch | Receiving | 950 Silver Lane | East Hartford | CT | 6118 |
| MITTINEAGUE | Closing | 1440 Westfield Street | West Springfield | MA | 1089 |
| Park Tower Branch | Receiving | 225 Park Avenue | West Springfield | MA | 1089 |
| CHICOPEE | Closing | 637 Front Street | Chicopee | MA | 1013 |
| Riverdale Branch | Receiving | 1063 Riverdale Street | West Springfield | MA | 1089 |
| HATFIELD | Closing | 1540 Cowpath Rd | Hatfield | PA | 19440 |
| North Broad Branch | Receiving | 1804 North Broad St | Lansdale | PA | 19446 |
| QUAKERTOWN | Closing | 224 W. Broad St | Quakertown | PA | 18951 |
| Trainer's Corner Branch | Receiving | 120 N. West End Blvd | Quakertown | PA | 18951 |
| ALLENTOWN | Closing | 1602 W. Allen St | Allentown | PA | 18102 |
| Cedar Crest Branch | Receiving | 1251 S. Cedar Crest Blvd | Allentown | PA | 18103 |
| SOMERTON | Closing | 11730 Bustleton Ave | Philadelphia | PA | 19116 |
| Bustleton Branch | Receiving | 9869 Bustleton Ave | Philadelphia | PA | 19115 |
| RIDGEFIELD | Closing | 108 Danbury Rd | Ridgefield | CT | 6877 |
| Norwalk Branch | Receiving | 79 New Canaan Avenue | Norwalk | CT | 6850 |
| 682 - FAIRFIELD WOODS | Closing | 2500 Black Rock Turnpike | Fairfield | CT | 6825 |
| Fairfield Center Branch | Receiving | 1761 Post Rd | Fairfield | CT | 6824 |
| 684 - MONROE | Closing | 155 Main St | Monroe | CT | 6468 |
| Shelton Branch | Receiving | 704 Bridgeport Ave | Shelton | CT | 6484 |
| 686 - WILTON CT | Closing | 30 Danbury Rd | Wilton | CT | 6897 |
| Norwalk Branch | Receiving | 79 New Canaan Avenue | Norwalk | CT | 6850 |
| 782 - HIGH RIDGE | Closing | 1117 High Ridge Road | Stamford | CT | 6905 |
| Springdale Branch | Receiving | 1042 Hope Street | Stamford | CT | 6907 |
| Drive Up Only | |||||
| Sharpsburg Drive Up | Closing | Sixth and Main | Sharpsburg | PA | 15215 |
| Manchester Main Drive Up | Closing | 923 Main Street | Manchester | CT | 6040 |
About First Niagara
First Niagara, through its wholly owned subsidiary, First Niagara Bank, N.A., is a multi-state community-oriented bank with approximately 410 branches, $39 billion in assets, $27 billion in deposits, and approximately 5,900 employees providing financial services to individuals, families and businesses across New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Massachusetts. For additional information on First Niagara, visit us at www.firstniagara.com, follow us on Twitter @FirstNiagara, or like us on Facebook at FirstNiagaraBank.