On Monday, July 28, Washington Mutual will celebrate a soft opening of its newest facility at 699 Allerton Avenue, off of White Plains Road, with a large scale grand opening celebration scheduled for Friday and Saturday, September 5 and 6.
“We are delighted to open this new store in this Bronx and better serve consumers, small business and commercial customers in the area,” said Hope Padilla, the Bronx Regional Manager for the popular branch affectionately known as WaMu. “New Yorkers continue to respond positively to our brand of banking because we give them what they value and make banking simple and enjoyable.”
The site of a former Subway’s eatery, which has moved next door to the branch, the new bank, featuring the DeNovo model currently seen at most WaMu branches throughout the Bronx, will feature an open welcoming atmosphere for clients.
“We’ve done away with the traditional glass partition,” said Paul Rahman, the assistant financial center manager, working under Amariliz Villavicencio. “We have created a welcoming one-on-one setting between the customer and the teller.”
Creating an even friendlier feel, WaMu enforces an informal dress code, making tellers seem more approachable.
Also different about the Washington Mutual brand is the method by which customers withdraw money, outside of the two ATM machines located inside the vestibule.
After speaking with a teller, the customer receives an envelope and a pin number to withdraw money from a centrally located machine, giving customers the utmost privacy.
WaMu also provides a children’s area, which also provides an educational component featuring children’s books on banking.
And for the elderly and disabled, the branch features a ramp for easy access.
WaMu is also looking to make an immediate impact on the community, providing a check to St. Lucy’s based on the number of new account openings up until the grand opening celebration. For every new account, $25 will be given to the local parish.
“We are very community minded,” said Rahman. “I’ve painted schools, taken part in park renovations, walked for breast cancer and volunteered at a local food pantry. I expect we’ll take part in similar activities here.”
The new branch will be open Mondays-Fridays, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, call (718) 231-8240.
