Citizens Bank Closing at ShopRite Pushed to March

Starting in March, Jerry Smith's routine may change. A retired educator, Smith lives near in Roxborough and likes daily strolls, which often end at the and on Ridge Avenue.

Though pushed back to March 10, the branch within the supermarket is slated to close for good. In December, the Citizens Bank was laying off 250 employees and closing nine branches due to an increase in online banking, among other reasons. However, the ShopRite bank manager said the closing of his branch was for different reasons.

"Unfortunately, it just did not make sense economically to keep this one," Phil Ritz said. "There are four locations in three miles."

One of the older local branches, the ShopRite location does have neighbors in (8345 Ridge Ave.), and elsewhere in Roxborough near the () and (). Ritz said there were a lot of other options.

Additionally, unlike at other branches, all of his employees will stay with the company. The smiling teller Lisa, for example, will be transferred to Bala Cynwyd.

According to a flyer from Citizens Bank, all accounts and services can be done at any branch nationwide. Additionally, no plans for the current location have been announced, Ritz said.

For Smith, the dollars and cents don't equate to the comfort and familiarity he has with his tellers.

"I'm trying to keep the people that I know at the store, and I don't want to go to another bank," he said.

But unless a change occurs, Smith will have look elsewhere starting at 3 p.m., March 10.