Washington, MO – L. B. Eckelkamp, Jr., chairman of the board and chief executive officer of the Bank of Washington, is pleased to announce that a comprehensive remodel of the bank’s Fourteenth Street branch is underway.

“The Fourteenth Street branch was the bank’s first expansion beyond Main Street. It opened in 1978, and the location has been thriving since,” said Eckelkamp. “We are always researching the latest in banking innovations, and we believe the branch continues to play a key role in ensuring the best customer service. While many banks are still consolidating branches, leaning heavily towards only electronic channels, we see branches as service, advisory and information centers for our customers.”

Eckelkamp said construction started earlier this month and the project is expected to take up to one year for completion. He stated that the building’s footprint will remain the same, but inside will feature a complete remodel with a new floor plan.

“Ensuring the layout allows for us to provide our customers with welcoming personal service has been our focus. Once the remodel is complete, customers will no longer be greeted by an employee behind a teller line, but rather by a universal associate out from behind a desk who can help with anything from depositing a whole piggy bank of coins to opening an account,” said Eckelkamp. “Remodeling this branch is a part of our customer-centered goal of guaranteeing that the needs of our customers are being met in the most efficient and effective ways for them.”

During construction, services will still be available at the location during regular banking hours. A section of the lobby will remain open during construction, allowing customers to perform account transactions and access their safe deposit boxes. Additionally, a drive-up pod will be placed where the current drive-up lanes exist, allowing customers to make drive-up transactions. The drive-up ATM will continue to be in service throughout the remodel period. Brad Mitchell, the current loan officer on site, will be temporarily relocated to the bank’s downtown Main branch.

An open house will be scheduled for the remodeled branch once the project is completed.

The Bank of Washington is the oldest and largest community bank in Franklin County, serving the community for over 138 years, and offering banking seven days a week at their branch located inside Schnucks in Washington.  In addition to six convenient branch facilities located throughout Washington, Gray Summit and Villa Ridge, the Bank of Washington also provides online banking, mobile banking and 14 ATMs throughout Washington, Marthasville, New Haven, Villa Ridge and Gray Summit.