BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The downtown branch of Wells Fargo Bank — known by locals for its ornate façade with large columns, engravings and clock at the corner of West Broad and Guetter streets — will be closing in the coming months.
The bank at 52 W. Broad St., just a stone’s throw from Main Street, is set to end its business operations at 11 a.m. Aug 28.
Even with digital banking ever so popular these days, the closure doesn’t mark the end of physical Wells Fargo locations, according to Joseph Rupolo, the bank’s Northeast Region senior communications consultant.
“Wells Fargo remains committed to Bethlehem, and branches continue to play an important role in the way we serve our customers in combination with our online and mobile channels and ATMs. As customer preferences and transaction patterns change, so will our branches.”Joseph Rupolo, Wells Fargo Bank Northeast Region senior communications consultant
“Wells Fargo remains committed to Bethlehem and branches continue to play an important role in the way we serve our customers in combination with our online and mobile channels and ATMs,” Rupolo said in an emailed statement.
“As customer preferences and transaction patterns change, so will our branches.”
ATM to remain
Night drop services also will be discontinued at the Broad Street branch on Aug. 28, but the ATM at the front of the building is planned to remain in service.
Wells Fargo is referring the Broad Street bank customers to other area locations, including 301 Broadway and Westgate Mall/Schoenersville Road in Bethlehem, as well as 1602 Union Blvd. in Allentown.
As for current workers of the downtown Wells Fargo, Rupolo said respective leadership is reviewing local staffing needs and “will make every attempt to place employees in positions in other branches.”
A historic structure
The building was reportedly built in 1925, once being home to the Lehigh Valley National Bank and other financial institutions as time went on.
It became a Wells Fargo in 2008, according to reporting from The Morning Call.
A December report from the U.S. News and World Report lists Wells Fargo as the No. 3 bank in America, holding $1.7 trillion in assets; 11,000 ATMs; and over 4,400 branches around the nation.
