Bristol County Savings Bank nears completion of New Bedford branch

Construction on Bristol County Savings Bank's (BCSB) eleventh banking office, and first in the city, is right on schedule. The exterior of the 3,500 s/f building, located at 1307 Ashley Blvd., is now fully enclosed with the shingle and metal roofing, windows, clapboard siding and stone veneer all installed and the painting close to complete. The banking office, to open by early June, has brought more than 200 construction jobs to the area and will create approximately eight permanent positions. The work on the interior of the branch, including the café, is far along as well. All the interior walls have been plastered and primed and the vaulted ceiling in the main lobby, featuring an array of skylights to allow natural light to penetrate the space, is complete. Final flooring, plumbing, HVAC and electrical work will be the focus of construction over the next week or two with the carpeting the last item on the interior punch list. At that point, the installation of the bank's signature standing clock, landscaping and signage will complete the project. With the construction of the banking office in its final stages, it is fully apparent that the project's architect, DRL Associates, designed the building to be sensitive to the surrounding neighborhood architecture while still maintaining the look and feel of a BCSB branch. The new branch also features photovoltaic panels on the south side of the exterior and a high efficiency heating and air conditioning system to conserve energy. BCSB's new branch features a modern looking exterior similar to that of the bank's Dartmouth, Mass. office, two drive-through lanes, a drive through ATM, a café, a coin machine and, common to all its banking offices and part of its corporate identity, an exterior standing clock. BCSB has appointed Nancy Wood to the position of branch manager of the bank's new banking office. As branch manager, Wood is responsible for the management of branch operations and new business development. Prior to her appointment, she served as branch manager at BankFive's downtown location. Previously, Wood held several positions at Compass Bank for more than 35 years, including approximately two decades as branch manage. "I spent 20 years of my banking career in the North End of New Bedford," said Wood. "I'm looking forward to 'coming home' and reconnecting with my customers. I've always considered them my extended family." Throughout her career Wood has worked to strengthen her ties to the New Bedford community. She is a leader in the New Bedford Rotary Club, presently holding the positions of attendance officer and treasurer while also serving as a member of its board of directors. Wood is an active member of the New Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce as well. "We'd like to welcome Wood to BCSB, and look forward to having her head up our New Bedford branch office," said Bristol County Savings CEO Dennis Kelly. "In addition to her extensive banking experience, Nancy personally exemplifies our commitment to the New Bedford community as demonstrated by her involvement with the Rotary Club and the Chamber of Commerce." A graduate of the Massachusetts Banking Association School for Financial Studies at Babson College in Wellesley, Mass., Wood also earned a Branch Management Development certificate from Fairfield University in Fairfield, Conn. She is also a graduate of Dartmouth High School in Dartmouth, Mass. and presently resides in South Dartmouth, Mass. with her family.