Adding a bank to a popular shopping area is always a plus for the entire neighborhood and borough.
Although it has been open since the beginning of the year, the Capital One Bank branch on 557 Melrose Avenue in The Hub shopping area, held their official grand opening on Thursday, March 24 with a ribbon cutting ceremony and fun-filled afternoon.
Bank representatives were hoping for a warmer day, but the theme of the grand opening was baseball in light of the beginning of the 2011 Yankees season on Thursday, March 31.
The bank was decorated in red, white and blue balloons, as well as enlarged, blow-up baseballs, sounds of a professional disc jockey, a coffee and hot chocolate stand, a hot dog stand and a chance to meet Capital One representatives from all over the state.
Throughout the afternoon, the bank raffled Yankees tickets and other prizes and even held pie-eating contests for workers and local residents.
Branch manager Ivelice Morillo was looking forward to the event for some time and is excited about working with the residents of the community.
“It’s always good to open a bank in any neighborhood,” Morillo said. “Even though we’ve been open for a few months already, it’s wonderful to have a grand opening and invite the residents of the community to come in and learn more about their new bank and meet their bankers.”
In partnership with the new bank, Capital One will be working with Alzheimer’s Association, which is the world’s leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care and support, as well as the largest nonprofit funder of Alzheimer research.
To celebrate their new partnership, Capital One presented Alzheimer’s Association representatives Elizabeth Santiago and Roberto Reyes with a $1,000 check to be used towards research.
Before the fun began, the ribbon needed to be cut, and all the bankers of the branch, along with Steven Philbin, senior vice president of the Capital One Manhattan, Bronx and Westchester Region, and Hope Padilla, Capital One Bronx district manager, joined to officially open the new bank branch.
“Capital One Bank is committed to investing in the Bronx to help it grow and thrive,” said John Habermann, Bronx Market president of Capital One Bank. “We chose Melrose Avenue because we thought that it was conveniently located, easy to access and offers local businesses and residents additional banking convenience.”
The event, which started at noon, was expected to last anywhere between two or three hours, but locals had so much fun, the events did not end until around 6 p.m.
Capital One Bank representatives have already confirmed the success of new location, saying in the short time opened, the response by residents and neighboring businesses ‘have been strong.’
