Saturday, January 28, 2006

Bank of Belen begins major remodeling

Jackie Schlotfeldt News-Bulletin Staff Writer; jschlotfeldt@news-bulletin.com

Belen The Bank of Belen is getting a new look. Construction to update the look of the main branch and add structures that will improve customer service is scheduled to be completed in May.

Ken Carson, Bank of Belen president, said that the bank is adding areas and services that will benefit its customers.

"We thought it was time to update the look and structure of the branch," Carson said.

What you will see once the remodeling is done will be two lobby areas. One will be a general service reception area, while the other will be a sit-down service area that will provide faster service and allow easier access to lenders.

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In addition to the lobby areas, cameras will be installed in the drive-up lanes so bank tellers and customers will be able to see each other while conducting transactions. The bank will also install a larger vault with bigger safe deposit boxes for its customers.

Martin Sisneros, Bank of Belen board chairman, said that the bank is always thinking of how it can enhance service.

"With a more productive set-up and amenitites, such as cameras, we can provide our customers with the best service possible," Sisneros said.

Carson said that Chris Chavez of CC Construction is doing the work on the bank. He's already taken the old roof off the older part of the building and will raise the new roof up to the same height as the other part of the bank.

"This is probably the fourth renovation we've done," Carson said. "Right now, we have relocated the teller line so there is no one working in the construction part of the bank, and CC Construction is doing a really good job of coordinating the work so it doesn't interfere with customer service."

The bank opened in 1992 and was founded by native New Mexicans from Los Lunas and Belen. The founders wanted to establish a bank that would service the community with quality, personalized service, Carson said.

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