Since its opening date last Monday, visitors to the new offices of the Norwood Bank & Trust Company at 185 Central Street have continued to marvel at the beauty and facilities incorporated into the design of this new building.
Patrons of the bank are Becoming more acquainted with the additional services now available, including the “drive-in” window located on the Stop and Shop side of the building, which makes possible the transacting of bank deposits. withdrawals, etc., without the necessity of leaving one’s car. The drive-in window may be approached easily from Central Street at the Stop and Shop entrance sign, or through Lyman Place, or from Nahatan Street via the road behind the Armory.
Another important feature provided for the convenience of the public is the 24-hour, round-the-clock depository, located at the main entrance” to the bank, which is lighted at all times, and in complete view of the police station diagonally across Central Street. It is expected that patrons will take increasing advantage of this combination night depository and 24-hour-a-day depository.
One feature of the new bank building which will undoubtedly be in constant demand Is the Community Service room, large enough to accommodate gatherings of up to 150 people, and Is available free of charge to the use of civic activities of a non-sectarian or non-political nature. This facility has an adjoining kitchenette well equipped with an electric stove, refrigerator, and all the needs for preparing luncheons and refreshments.
Those wishing to transact business at the Norwood Bank & Trust Company will have no parking problems. Ample facilities for parking exist adjacent to the bank building, at the rear, or at the side In the Stop and Shop parking area which is available for the use of the bank’s patron«, or in the public parking lot across Central Street.
All in all, the Norwood Bank & Trust Company, with its new facilities, now offers to its customers a complete, “One-stop” banking service, under the best possible conditions for convenience, safety, and security.
Citizens Hail New Norwood Bank & Trust Co. Building
On Wednesday and Thursday of last week over 2500 visitors who availed themselves of the opportunity to visit and inspect the new offices of the Norwood Bank & Trust Company at 185 Central Street, voiced enthusiastic delight and approval with what they found. The visitors included many State, Federal and local banking officials, some, from as far away as Washington, D. C., and without exception, they expressed whole-hearted approval over the design, construction, equipage and furnishings of this most-modern, up-to-date banking facility.
The beautiful new building stands as a tribute to the architectural genius of its designer, Norwood’s well-known architect Harry J. Korslund. who is also a member of the bank’s directorate. It stands also, as an expression of the confidence and faith of the bank officials in the continued expansion and growth of the Norwood area as one of the Commonwealth’s most prosperous and leading residential and industrial centers, with the bank dedicated to the purpose of serving completely and well, the diverse banking needs of business, industry and the residential population.
The amazing growth of this banking institution over the past few years is a reflection of the confidence and faith it enjoys from its patrons, as well as the satisfaction with which it has fulfilled its banking services to the public. Dating back to May, 1918, it came into being as the Norwood Bank Banking Company, taking over the assets and liabilities of the former Morris Plan Company which was founded in 1917. From total assets of approximately S90,000.00 in 1940, the Norwood Bank & Banking Company, despite legal restrictions on the extent of banking services allowable under its form of corporate banking charter, maintained a steady growth in volume of deposit accounts. The industrial and commercial growth of the Norwood area brought new demands upon the bank and in 1955, after careful survey, study, and analysis, the Board of Directors applied for a charter as a full-fledged Bank & Trust Company, with unlimited banking powers. On December 1, 1955, the new Corporation, the Norwood Bank and Trust Company, started business under its new charier, taking over all the assets and liabilities of the Norwood Bank and Banking Company. In less than a year, with ..total assets of over 54,000,000.00, the bank completely outgrew its existing facilities, and the necessity for a new, modern, and completely up-to-date banking facility was apparent. Plans for a new building were quickly initiated, culminating In the construction and dedication of the new banking institution this week.
The new bank building incorporates many new and interesting features, making it the most modern, up-to-date banking facility yet designed. Its designer had in mind not only provisions for maximum efficiency in working arrangements, but the creation of a working atmosphere providing the utmost In a warm, friendly, colorful decor. Each section of the bank Is decorated in soft pastel shades, blending one into the other in a most pleasing and harmonizing effect.
Designed to take advantage of maximum daylight throughout the day, the building incorporates the latest in indirect, fluorescent lighting. It is completely air-conditioned throughout, and the roof is designed to carry two inches of water to assist in cooling the building. It will be heated by forced hot-air heat. The building is rated 99 and a fraction percent fire-proof, the only combustible components being some of the doors which are of wood, some of the wood paneling, some of the furniture, and the drapes on the windows The office furniture and equipment is of the latest in modern design, manufacture and materials.
Visitors found many interesting features to admire, Including the beautifully decorated and furnished community room, with its” plastic Miller chairs, which will accommodate up to 150 people, dedicated to the use of the community for community and civic gatherings of a non-sectarian and non-political character, free of any charge, intended to fulfill the common needs of the community. The community room has an adjoining kitchenette, furnished with an electric, stove and refrigerator, and facilities for the preparation and serving of lunches and refreshments.
One of the features proving of particular interest was the electronically operated and controlled vault door, the vault itself incorporating many now and unusual features. Another facility of interest was the electronically operated drive-in service window, with bullet-proof glass. Other features included the Board of Directors room for business meetings; a modern well-furnished ladies’ rest-room; private consultation booths, and a general conference room
The electronically operated drive-in window provided for the convenience of the patrons ‘is conveniently located at the side of the bank and may be approached by car from many directions without obstruction, traffic hazard or tie-up—from Central Street at the Stop and Shop, entrance sign, or through Lyman place, or from Nahatan- street via the road behind the Armory.
Parking, the great problem for many banks, is solved here inasmuch as parking facilities exist not only at the rear of the bank, but right across Central Street in the public parking lot, or patrons of the bank may use the ample parking provided in the Stop and Shop parking area.
In fact, if one didn’t wish to park or use the Drive-In window, he could very conveniently use the combination night depository and 24-hour, round-the-clock, depository, located In front of the building at the main entrance, which will be lighted at all times, 24-hours a day, which may be approached by a short walk without obstructive hedges, etc., and which is in complete view of the police station diagonally across the street.
Today, the Norwood Bank and Trust Company takes its earned and rightful place as the only locally owned, operated and controlled commercial bank in Norwood, dedicated to the service of fulfilling the complete, one-stop banking needs of the entire community area. As a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, savings accounts are provided with the maximum insurance of up to 510,000.00 for each depositor.
Its complete one-stop banking services now available to the public, including the industrial, mercantile and business concerns of the Norwood area, includes the following: Regular Checking Accounts; Special Checking Accounts; Savings Accounts, Loans of all kinds, for business, personal, automobile, collateral, home improvement, home repair; installment; insurance: mortgagee, pass book, Christmas Club accounts, All purpose club accounts, bank by mall; foreign remittances; Letters of Credit; 24 Hour Depository; Register Checks, Safe Deposit Boxes; Travelers’ Cheques; Trust Department; U S. Savings Bonds.
The officers of the bank are President, Atty. Paul A. Sykes; Assistant President, Dr. Lewis J Danovitch;. Treasurer, Gerald Wilson; Assistant Treasurer, Bruno J. Palumbo; Assistant Treasurer; Frank R. Tufts. The Board of Directors includes the officers, and: Dr. Ronald H. Bruce, Howard B. Capen, Dr. Lewis J. Danovitch, William J Hildebrand, Harry J. Korslund, Cornelius J. Murphy Jr., Carroll P. Nead, Dr. Walter E. Steere, and Atty. Benjamin G. Sykes.
(All articles originally published in the Norwood Messenger)
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