RICHMOND, CA, January 9, 2017—With a ribbon cutting at 9 a.m., Mechanics Bank ("MCHB" OTC) will open a new, state-of-the-art branch at Hilltop Mall in Richmond, CA on Monday, January 9th, 2017. It replaces the former Hilltop Office.
“This new branch ushers in a new era for us in Richmond, and embodies our continued commitment to this community,” says Rauly Butler, Mechanics Bank Executive Vice President, and head of Retail Banking.
Located at 3190 Klose Way, the 8,300 square foot building is divided between a 4,000 sq. ft. branch office and a 4,300 sq. ft. community room.
The new branch features a design built around community use and client convenience. In addition to two full-service ATMs, Wi-Fi, a new self-service coin-counting machine, a self-service online banking portal, WiFi, and a dedicated merchant teller window, it’s one of the few banks in California still offering the convenience of an actual person-to-person drive thru banking window. The drive thru travels into what was once the interior of the building. According to architect Sady Hayashida (Berkeley, CA), this represents a new trend for drive-ups, providing shelter from the weather and greater comfort and convenience for clients.
The E. M. Downer Community Room, named in honor of Mechanics Bank’s long-time president and owner from the Bank’s early years, offers a large meeting and event space, that will be made available to local community organizations and nonprofits on a reservation basis. It offers configurable tables and seating areas, multiple video presentation monitors and white boards, a kitchenette and dedicated rest rooms. While the Community Room is physically part of the branch building, it is an independent space, accessed only from the parking lot.
Branch Manager Jorge Reyes says the Bank has ensured that clients of the prior Hilltop branch will continue to be greeted by the same friendly employees they have come to know.
“This is a significant investment in the Richmond marketplace and shows we are deeply connected to our roots in the City of Richmond, where we began operations over 110 years ago,” says Mechanics Bank President and CEO, John DeCero.
About Mechanics Bank
Mechanics Bank, established in 1905, is an independent, full service community bank. With more than $5.4 billion in assets, it is the largest bank headquartered in the Bay Area’s East Bay region. A national indirect auto lender, its 30 branch offices throughout Northern California and five locations in Southern California provide a highly personalized relationship banking experience that includes consumer and business banking services, commercial lending, commercial deposit and cash management services, and comprehensive trust and wealth management services.