First Bank of Greenwich Opens Stamford Office
By Rob Adams
Sentinel Broadcasting Manager/Reporter
A new business opened its doors in the place that calls itself “The City That Works.” That new business included the name of its next-door neighbor: Greenwich.
Indeed, The First Bank of Greenwich opened its first branch office at 900 Summer St. in Stamford on Tuesday with a ribbon cutting in front of a throng of friends, well-wishers, and politicians representing southwestern Connecticut.
The new branch is the third location for the bank, which is headquartered at 444 East Putnam Ave. in Cos Cob. A lending office – also in Stamford – is located at 733 Summer St.
The mood was festive as attendees walked inside the bright and spacious office that has comfortable chairs just inside the main entrance. An ATM is located just off the Summer St. entrance, while the main desk has room for tellers to perform banking functions. A conference room and smaller office are also part of the public area.
Guests were able to enjoy coffee and snacks as the office area filled up in anticipation of the ribbon cutting. Stamford mayor David Martin and Greenwich First Selectman Peter Tesei gathered with First Bank of Greenwich President and CEO as well as Bruno Gioffre from the bank’s Board of Directors to mark the official opening of the branch.
With traffic whizzing by on Summer St., the four used giant scissors to welcome the public to the new location.
“Well we wish the First Bank of Greenwich tremendous success here in the city of Stamford as they’ve had in the town of Greenwich,” Tesei said. “It’s exciting to see, in this economic environment, the expansion of a financial institution that is providing service to small businesses and individuals.
“It’s a good sign, not only for the bank but for our overall economy.”
Mayor Martin couldn’t help but have a good-natured laugh at a business from a neighboring town coming into his city.
“Well I’m a little bit chagrined that the bank is named after Greenwich, I guess even the people in Greenwich know that Stamford is the place to be,” he said while chuckling before turning serious. “We welcome all businesses that provide more convenience, more services, and more jobs for the people of Stamford.”
After asking if Mayor Martin had behaved in his comments, Frank Gaudio turned to talking business.
“We’re looking to do what we did in Greenwich,” he said. “Whether it’s big accounts, small accounts, middle-size accounts, we treat everyone the same. We grow it grass roots.
“We welcome anybody that wants to come in. We’re looking forward to it. We have a lot of customers here in Stamford already. A lot of the businesses have been waiting for us to come to give them the customer service that they deserve. They understand what it is to be served properly.”
Gaudio talked of his staff and the training they have received, stressing that customer service is a high priority, but also that the banks’ rates are competitive. He also indicated that further expansion is possible, with an eye towards Westchester County, New York.
“They’re waiting for us there also,” he said.
So with smiles all around, the bank got on with the business of the day. The First Bank of Greenwich is open Monday through Saturday, with later hours on Thursday until 6 p.m.