The Villa Road location is in a neighborhood area and usually sees a majority of its business from clients on their way to or from work. By having a location that is just north of the downtown area, the goal is to attract those who may pass by the new location during their work day.
Smith said the new location is in a high traffic area and also puts them in a position to serve more Springfield residents who may not live close to the Villa Road location.
“It adds convenience. We have a large customer base in Springfield,” Smith said, adding that residents tend to have checking accounts with banks that have locations close to where they live.
“Some customers have told us that they have had to drive by three or five more banks before reaching ours,” he added.
Construction for the location at 1408 N. Limestone St., started last August after NCF purchased the property in 2018 for $380,000, according the Clark County Auditor’s office.
Smith said that the property had been empty for 13 years before the bank purchased it. He said that NCF was looking to expand its operations, noting that NCF has nearly doubled its assets to $165 million since 2015.
Though banking was considered an essential business, the coronavirus pandemic delayed the opening of the new branch as Smith said they had to temporarily put a hold on hiring.
The bank had to make some changes amid the pandemic such as closing its lobby to the public in March and were instead serving customers virtually or at its drive-thrus. However, the bank’s lobbies reopened in June and employees are required to wear face coverings and face shields have been added to teller windows.
With the opening of its newest location, NCF has added six new positions.
The bank’s building will also offer retail space for a new Winans Chocolates & Coffees location that will feature a drive-thru, patio and will serve alcohol.
It will be the third Winans location owned by Chandi Shah, who has another location in downtown Springfield and one in Dayton.
Shah said the North Limestone Location is slated to open in September.
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