People's United Bank To Close 18 CT Branches: Here's Where

CONNECTICUT — The new banking landscape in the towns that seemingly have the most branch redundancy in the wake of the United Bank buyout by People's United is becoming clearer. A total of 18 branches will be shuttered throughout Connecticut, according to an announcement by the corporation.

Last week, United Bank logos were replaced by the People's United Bank moniker as a continuation of a $759 million buyout announced in July. The 18 closures include locations in Hartford, Tolland, Fairfield, and New London counties.

United Bank had a strong presence in north-central Connecticut after merging with Rockville Bank about six years ago.

Here are the closures which are known so far:

• The downtown Rockville branch in Vernon across from the Tolland County courthouse is slated to close Feb. 21, staffers said. The iconic thermometer was, however, sporting a People's United logo on Monday at a chilly 44 degrees.
• The original People's United Branch location in Vernon's Tri-City Plaza is on the hit list, effective in April.
• Stop & Shop branches appear to be staying open in the area.
• In Manchester, a sign on the Big Y there provided an April 3 closing date.
• The North Main Street branch in Manchester will be closing Feb. 21, according to tellers.
• In South Windsor, the branch at 1645 Ellington Road also had a closure sign mentioning April 3. The 161 Nevers Road branch is also set to close.
• At the Enfield Big Y on Palomba Drive, a sign is posted indicating the branch would close on Dec. 13. The branch at 231 Hazard Avenue is also slated for closure.
• Other offices scheduled to close, without timeframes known as of yet, are 888 Farmington Ave., Bristol; 1009 Hebron Ave. and 2670 Main St., Glastonbury; 415 Greenwich Ave., Greenwich; 158 North Main St., Southington; 124-B Boston Post Rd., Waterford; 102 Lasalle Rd., West Hartford; 370 Post Rd. E., Westport; and 151 Asylum St., Hartford.

People's United CEO Jack Barnes offered these comments this past summer concerning the impending closures.

"While there will be branch closures as a result of the acquisition, customers will maintain the same level of service, access to expert bankers and local branch locations as they do now, including our seven-day, extended hour Stop & Shop locations, for both personal and business needs," Barnes said in July, while vowing to ensure that all United Bank branch employees will be offered a position with People's United Bank.

A sign at the People's United Bank branch inside Big Y in Enfield indicates the office will close in mid-December. (Tim Jensen/Patch Media Corp.)