Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Monday marked the first day of business for Regions Bank’s new Selma Branch. Previously located on Church Street in the heart of downtown, the new Regions facility is located at 1105 Highland Avenue.

According to Regions Consumer Banking Manager Jeff Smith, the relocation project took roughly 2 years* to complete and represents a $3 million* investment in Selma and Dallas County.

“By making these new investments in Selma, we are affirming our commitment to the community and to meeting the financial needs of people and businesses throughout Dallas County,” said Robert Birmingham, market executive for Regions Bank in Montgomery and the River Region. “As financial professionals, our responsibilities extend beyond opening accounts or making loans. We’re here to have in-depth conversations with customers and help them develop a roadmap toward reaching their long-term financial goals. This location places a premium on that type of service while also bringing new technology options to the area for the first time.”

The investment has resulted in what Smith called one of the most state-of-the-art Regions facilities in Alabama, one that blends new technology with personalized service from local bankers.

Smith likens the new branch as “an Apple Store combined with a bank” and the comparison is easy to see as soon as the threshold of the building is crossed but beneath the branch’s modern aesthetic lies a customer service-centric core.

Upon entering the bank, customers are greeted personally  by a banker who can assist with virtually all branch-banking needs, large or small, without having to refer the customer to other bankers for certain specialized services.

The result is a more consultative approach to banking – and a closer connection between local banking professionals and the clients they serve.

“That’s what it’s all about. Building relationships.” said Smith. “I want customers to build a relationship with their banker.”

In addition to one-on-one service , Region’s new Selma Branch as two Video Banking ATMs, one in the foyer of the building and one drive-through, as well as three DepositSmart ATMs.

At the Video Banking ATMs, customers can choose standard ATM service and deposit checks or cash, or they can connect with a Regions Video Banker via live, two-way video for personal service during expanded hours including weekdays from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m., Saturdays from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. and on Sundays and holidays from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Video Bankers can help customers with account maintenance, bill payments and additional services.

Additional new technology at Region’s new Selma branch includes self-service safe deposit boxes, accessible through biometric (face and finger) scans, eliminating the need for a branch associate to open the vault and assist with opening a box.

“For years, people have increasingly turned to technology to help with routine transactions, such as withdrawing cash or even depositing a check. And now, with all the challenges presented by COVID-19, we’re finding people also use technology like Video Banking and DepositSmart ATMs as another socially distant option for conducting their financial business,” said Smith. “This location is about helping people bank when, where and how they prefer. We have personalized service from local bankers – and we have new technology that gives people more options than ever before.”

Local branch manager Andy Denton also expressed his excitement with the new branch.

“We are proud to open our new branch in Selma, and we are thankful for customers who have been patient with us during construction,” Denton said. “This modernized location gives us the platform we need to build on our history of serving and supporting Selma. We look forward to welcoming customers and others in the community to experience all the benefits of the new branch.”

The branch’s hours are from 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. on Monday through Thursday and from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Fridays.