Bank of Ann Arbor On Target for Opening in the New Year

The new Bank of Ann Arbor branch in Saline is on target for opening right after the holidays.

Walt Byers, recently named Saline District President for the Bank of Ann Arbor, said he and his team are excited about opening their office at 179 E. Michigan Ave., in downtown Saline.

“We’re really glad to be moving into the City of Saline,” said Byers, who has lived in Saline for 35 years and currently works at the Ellsworth Road Bank of Ann Arbor branch. “I’ve got a lot of good friends and good business clients in Saline and we really look forward to being a good community partner and to helping organizations and businesses grow and prosper.”

Workers from Ypsilanti-based Phoenix Contractors, owned by Bill Kinley, have been busy remaking the old Bank of America building with materials from locally-owned companies like Chelsea Lumber.

“We started with a tired, old building built in the 1960s and we’re putting a significant dollar investment into the community to build something people are going to be really happy with,” Byers said.

The bank should be finished in late December and open after the holidays.

Bank of Ann Arbor has received a lot of attention for its successful marketing campaign touting its local authenticity. Byers said the bank owes its success to adhering to the principles of community banking.

“Community banking means you’re not just a bank account number and you don’t have to call an 800 number to get a hold of somebody for information. It means you pick up the phone and call Walt Byers on his cell phone or at his office, and I pick it up and take care of you directly,” said Byers, who has worked in banking for 35 years.  “We believe you should have a personal relationship with people in the bank.”

To help with that personal touch, there will be familiar faces at the Saline branch. Byers, a member of Saline Rotary Club, Saline Chamber of Commerce and Saline Planning Commission, will split his time between Pittsfield and Saline. So too will Sandy Ross, who is no stranger to Saline. Shelly Rankin, a member of the Saline Chamber of Commerce board of directors and Saline Main Street, will be branch officer.

As Saline District President, Byers oversees the Saline and Pittsfield branches and any other expansion in the region.

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