People's United Bank Branch In Downtown Rockville Closes

VERNON, CT — The Rockville Bank-United Bank-People's United Bank branch building on Park Street in Vernon isn't anyone's bank anymore.

As of 3 p.m. Friday, the branch officially closed. The move is a by-product of the takeover of United by People's United. The lobby had traditionally remained open until 5 p.m. and the drive-up window until 7 p.m. on Fridays.

The automated teller machine was disconnected Friday morning amid a busy day at the Tolland County Courthouse across the street. Staffers simply said 3 p.m. marked the official shuttering.

The branch was known for an old-school clock and temperature display that sticks out from one side of the building and was perched over a sidewalk.

The branch was doomed to close ever since the merger was announced in July. People's United Financial, Inc., the holding company for People's United Bank, acquired United Financial Bancorp, the holding company for United Bank, in a 100 percent stock transaction valued at about $759 million.

The takeover marked the demise of the "new" United Bank, which was formed by a merger of Connecticut-based Rockville Bank and Massachusetts-based United Bank in April 0f 2014.

Before that, it was known as the Savings Bank of Rockville. The bank was led by its colorful CEO, William McGurk, whose advertising slogans included, "That's my bank." Anyone uttering the phrase in public would get a CT Lottery scratch ticket from McGurk.

McGurk, a major shareholder, has been a harsh critic of the merger. See his comments here.

Other branches slated for closure related to the takeover can be located here.