Thomas S. Leavitt, Executive Vice President for Merchants Bank, announced the groundbreaking for the construction of a new office on Route 4 in Rutland. The bank currently has a small drive-up on the site at 92 Woodstock Avenue. The new full-service ADA-compliant branch at the same address will include: four lobby teller stations; two drive-up service lanes; an additional ATM drive-up lane; offices for branch management, commercial lending officers, and customer service. Completion is expected before year-end. As part of this expansion, Leavitt also announced the appointment of Deanna K. Wetherby to the position of Branch President for Woodstock Avenue.
We have been active and growing in Rutland since opening our office at Green Mountain Plaza on Route 7 South ten years ago. We have been providing limited service during that time at the Woodstock Avenue. To support our Vermont Matters pledge, we are doubling our capacity to serve Vermont s second largest community. Deanna Wetherby is ideally suited to the new challenge and has a strong history of banking contributions in the local marketplace. She has roots in Rutland and knows this proud region as well as anyone, said Leavitt.
In keeping with the Bank s commitment to Vermont, the project employs Vermont contractors. Nimtz Berryhill and Figiel Architect, P.C. (Rutland) is serving as the architectural firm for the facility and Site Designers are Enman Engineering, PC, (Rutland). Connor Contracting, Inc, of Berlin, VT is performing as General Contractor; Fabian Earth Moving, Inc. is conducting the sitework and excavation. Wilk Paving of Rutland will perform paving. Interior construction firms include electrical & lighting by Lamberton Electric, Inc. (Montpelier) and mechanical and plumbing by Vermont Heating and Ventilating, Inc. (Winooski). Exterior Windows are by Windows and Doors by Brownell (Williston) and entrance, glass & glazing by The Glass Connection (Essex Junction).
We very much believe the community here is strong enough to support a second full-service branch, stated Wetherby. It's an ideal location for our many customers who are centered in the neighborhoods around downtown and the eastern section of the city all the way to Killington. This facility will enable us to meet the banking needs of the entire region."
Wetherby was previously employed with Berkshire Bank (formerly Factory Point). She served as Branch Manager for the Court Square (West Street, Rutland) office of Factory Point/Berkshire from the office opening in 2000 until joining Merchants Bank in late 2008 as a member of the Green Mountain Plaza team. Wetherby developed a strong presence in a start-up office, effectively performing all functions typically associated with a Branch President position. Prior to opening the office at Court Square, Wetherby successfully built an in-store branch office at the Price Chopper supermarket in Rutland's largest shopping complex and held the responsibility for five years. Wetherby is well regarded in the community and has nurtured the development of branch staff to officer appointments during her tenure.
Wetherby is a native of Rutland and an alumna of Rutland High School. She has participated in the American Institute of Banking (Performance Training Certificate in Supervision), Northern New England Center for Financial Training (Branch Manager Certificate), Northern New England Center for Financial Training (Customer Service Associate Certificate, Talent and Customer Development and Service Interview Analysis Certification) and Northern New England School of Banking (General Banking Diploma).
Deanna Wetherby, Merchants Bank, Branch President, Woodstock Avenue, Rutland
Pictured in the groundbreaking, from left to right are: Ralph Nimtz (NFB Architects), Nicole Kesselring (Enman Engineering), Jason Young (Connor Contracting Co.), Steve Connor (Connor Contracting Co.), Tom Leavitt (MB), Deanna Wetherby (MB), Michael Tuttle (MB), Michelle LaMoria (MB), Gary Dean (MB), Keith Eddy (Eddy Enterprises), Ron Fabian (Fabian Earth Moving), and Blair Enman (Enman Engineering).
Vermont Matters. Merchants Bank strives to fulfill its role as the state s leading independent community bank through a wide range of initiatives. The bank supports organizations throughout Vermont in addressing essential needs, sustaining community programs, providing small business and job start capital, funding financial literacy education, and delivering enrichment through local sports activities.
Merchants Bank was established in 1849 in Burlington. Its continuing mission is to provide Vermonters with a statewide community bank that combines a strong technology platform with a genuine appreciation for local markets. Merchants Bank delivers this commitment through a branch-based system that includes: 34 community bank offices and 42 ATMs throughout Vermont; local branch presidents and personal bankers dedicated to high-quality customer service; free online banking, phone banking, and electronic bill payment services; high-value depositing programs that feature Free Checking for Life®, Cash Rewards Checking, Rewards Checking for Business, business cash management, money market accounts, health savings accounts, certificates of deposit, Flexible CD, IRAs, and overdraft assurance; feature-rich loan programs including mortgages, home equity credit, vehicle loans, personal and small business loans and lines of credit; and merchant card processing. Merchants Bank offers a strong set of commercial and government banking solutions, delivered by experienced banking officers in markets throughout the state; these teams provide customized financing for medium-to-large companies, non-profits, cities, towns and school districts. Please visit www.mbvt.com for access to Merchants Bank information, programs and services. Merchants stock is traded on the NASDAQ National Market system under the symbol MBVT. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.
Source: Merchants Bank, August 21, 2009.