Chelsea Groton Bank Holds Ribbon Cutting For Reinvented Branch

GROTON, CT – Chelsea Groton Bank held a ribbon cutting Wednesday for its reinvented Center Groton branch at 1319 Gold Star Highway in Groton. The ceremony included remarks and plaque presentations from both Megan Cronin, from the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT, and Bill Smith, from the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce.

President and CEO of Chelsea Groton Bank Michael Rauh closed the ceremony by presenting a donation to Diane Schrage from Groton Human Services in the dollar amount of $1,854. This amount represents Chelsea Groton’s founding in 1854, according to a release.

“Chelsea Groton Bank has a 163-year history of community stewardship. Our mission as a community bank is to serve the needs of the individuals, families and businesses in the community,” Rauh said in a release. “One way we do that is through monetary support, donation drives, and volunteerism at local organizations. Another way we help those around us is by engaging with customers about where they are in their lives, and how we can help them reach their goals. That was the basis for the changes we made here. Our hope in reinventing the Center Groton branch is that it evolves from a place where people go to perform transactions to somewhere they can learn to feel confident, comfortable, and excited about their financial future."

The reinvented branch was designed to provide individuals with the tools and resources needed to empower them to make better financial decisions through learning, mentoring and collaboration.

The diverse layout features a diner booth for relaxed conversation, a cozy lending library with books to peruse at the branch or borrow, collaboration tables for connecting and interacting, a video conferencing room, and a knowledge bar with complimentary coffee and conversation brewing all day.

The location will continue to have a teller line where typical banking transactions can occur, offices for opening accounts and processing loans and has a new drive-up ATM.

The bank invites the community to participate in the following educational and social events scheduled for the remainder of grand opening week:

Thursday, Dec. 7

7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.: Coffee with Class: Public Speaking

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: Grow Your Business – The Top 10 Benefits of Accepting Credit Cards

Saturday, Dec. 9

9 a.m. – 10 a.m.: Financial Recovery Class

11 a.m. – 1 p.m.: Family Day – Visit with Santa, Holiday Crafts and More!

On a near-daily basis, personal enrichment programs will be offered free of charge at the branch. Miria Toth, the Bank’s Community Education Specialist, and Customer Solutions Manager Kristen Scott, along with team members from the Center Groton branch and various departments, will lead classes on topics related to personal financial wellness, home-buying, business banking, and more.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to engage in activities related to preparing for expected and unexpected life events.

For the most current schedule of classes and events happening at Center Groton, visit www.chelseagroton.com/reinvention.

Images courtesy Barb Curto