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Banking on NE
Bank of America to build new 'retail' center in D.C.
(Published March 8, 2004)

Bank of America plans to build a new "neighborhood-friendly" banking center adjacent to the Rhode Island Avenue Metro station in Northeast Washington.

The center will be one of 15 new bank branches in the Washington metropolitan area that Bank of America plans to build by 2005 that incorporate an open-layout interior design resembling a retail store, rather than making teller stations the focal point. The Northeast Washington bank, scheduled to open in early July, is the only new concept location currently planned in the District of Columbia.

Bank of America Greater Washington President William Couper will help break ground for the new bank branch, to be located at 915 Rhode Island Ave. NE, at 10 a.m. Tuesday. Ward 5 Councilman Vincent Orange and Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Regina James, who both represent the area in which the new bank will be built, also are expected to help turn over the first shovels full of dirt for the project.

Construction crews in recent weeks demolished the former Allstate Insurance service center on the site to make way for the new bank. The bank will be built by DPR Construction on land owned by Douglas Development and managed by Trammell Crow Co.

Customers entering the new bank will be greeted by a bank employee and directed to the appropriate area to meet their needs. The bank will incorporate state-of-the-art technology, including stations for self-service Internet banking and multilingual telephone banking. A "community zone" will offer after-hours classes or seminars on homebuying and other personal financial matters.

About 10 people are expected to staff the new bank, which will include one drive-up automated teller machine and one walk-up ATM. A "media wall," including a 42-inch television, will be part of a waiting area, and a special area for neighborhood news and information also will be provided.

The bank plans to offer free checking, a free bill-paying service and free online banking among its services. Plans call for the branch to be open every day except Sunday.