DECEMBER 19, 2000

People's Bank Brings to Avon the Future of Financial Services

AVON, CONN.
There are many differences between the new People’s Bank Avon Financial Center and a traditional bank branch.

While touches like gourmet coffee and the building’s distinctive architecture certainly get the customers’ attention, the biggest difference is found in the level of service provided to customers.

The Avon Financial Center, which recently opened at 27 East Main Street in Old Avon Village, has no tellers. Instead, when a customer goes to what looks like the teller counter, he or she is served by a People’s Banker who can do much more than process transactions.

“If you’re at the counter and you see the CD rate and decide you’d like to open a CD, you don’t have to go to the sales counter to do it. The same People’s Banker who is processing your other transactions can open the CD for you on the spot,” says Wendy DeMore, manager of the Avon Financial Center. “It’s a higher level of service.”

At the Avon Financial Center, People’s Bankers aren’t just behind the counter. As customers enter, they are greeted by a People’s Banker who helps them get the products and services they need, whether it’s for a credit card, investments, insurance, retirement planning, trust services or any of the other services People’s offers. “Our people have the expertise to understand people’s needs and they’re very approachable,” DeMore says.

The Avon Financial Center doesn’t even look like a bank. Its distinctive design fits perfectly with the charm of Old Avon Village and Avon’s commercial district. Part of the structure that houses the Financial Center is an historic building, and a barn-style addition – complete with massive exposed beams and a vaulted ceiling – house customer service areas. The drive-up areas are located at the rear of the addition and are covered by an awning-like extension of the roof.

The People’s Financial Center is an innovative concept that brings together People’s diversified array of financial products and services in one convenient location. At this revolutionary new site, it’s easy for customers to do everything from personal banking to financial planning to stock trading. The Avon office is the third Financial Center in the People’s network and its 146th branch overall.

“Anything and everything customers need to manage their finances can be found at People’s Financial Center,” said Robert R. D’Amore, People’s executive vice president, Marketing and Regional Banking. “This is a hands-on branch at which customers can get answers to any financial questions from experts on the premises.

In addition to financial services, People’s is providing customers with some of the extras that go along with managing personal finances. Three television monitors will be tuned to news channels providing up-to-the-minute news and information for customers, including continuous stock tickers. In addition, a stock quote terminal is available for real-time stock quotes.

In addition, customers can use ATMs and get a demonstration of People’s Online, the bank’s integrated Internet banking and trading solution.

Those features and services are available for longer hours than any other non-supermarket People’s branch. The center’s lobby and drive-up are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The public is invited to visit Financial Center manager Wendy DeMore and assistant manager Csaba Gabor and learn about People’s grand opening specials, including bonus-rate CDs and an offer of free checking for one year plus 50 free checks.

People’s (www.peoples.com) is a diversified financial services company providing commercial, consumer, insurance and investment services. Founded in 1842, it is the largest state-chartered bank in Connecticut with managed assets of more than $13 billion, 146 branches and 225 ATMs. People’s is a leader in commercial banking, residential lending, insurance sales and supermarket banking. An international credit card issuer, it ranks 17th nationally as an issuer of MasterCard and Visa credit cards. People’s subsidiaries offer brokerage services, asset management, equipment financing and leasing, and insurance services.