Banks in Pinellas Plaza

[Golfer49]

Can someone explain why they are building more banks in Pinellas Plaza when we could use so many other stores/restaurants/etc.? I believe there will be 4 in a city block!

[nkrifats]

Can someone explain why they are building more banks in Pinellas Plaza when we could use so many other stores/restaurants/etc.? I believe there will be 4 in a city block!
The Banks feel there is a need for their services in that area or they would not build. Other business's also have the same opportunity to have space in that area and did not choose too.

[Beth P]

I for one am happy to hear (and hope it's true) that Wells Fargo is one of them. The closest one otherwise is on 466...I live in the far south end.

[Birdie Dreamer]

I for one am happy to hear (and hope it's true) that Wells Fargo is one of them. The closest one otherwise is on 466...I live in the far south end.

It is true as I was notified my safe deposit box would be moved. Until open the Wildwood branch it is replacing is only 5 minutes from Collier. Although no golf cart access until the new one opens.

[manaboutown]

That is good news! I found I had to drive a long ways to find a Bank of America when I stayed in Pennecamp and Mallory when I needed to find an ATM or a physical bank to make deposits. For cash I just use my Schwab ATM card at a Bank of Morse (Citizen's) since Schwab eats the fleecing fee.

[Bogie Shooter]

Can someone explain why they are building more banks in Pinellas Plaza when we could use so many other stores/restaurants/etc.? I believe there will be 4 in a city block!

"They" in this case is the bank.
They have a lot of $'s due to paying you .45% interest.
They like having real estate as part of their assets.
You really have to blame the first bank to build..........they all will follow!

[villagerjack]

That is good news! I found I had to drive a long ways to find a Bank of America when I stayed in Pennecamp and Mallory when I needed to find an ATM or a physical bank to make deposits. For cash I just use my Schwab ATM card at a Bank of Morse (Citizen's) since Schwab eats the fleecing fee.
Did you want those services for free?

[andercat]

Are you sure they are all banks? Sometimes the bank that is financing a building will put up a sign. I've been fooled a few times thinking a bank was coming and it turned out it was something else.

[Erijo]

Is one of the banks coming to Pinellas a Chase?

[Flyinglady]

I do hope so, the service and staff at the exiting one are appalling.

[Bonanza]

Can someone explain why they are building more banks in Pinellas Plaza when we could use so many other stores/restaurants/etc.? I believe there will be 4 in a city block!


There is much more money in a large community of seniors than in a neighborhood bank. Consequently, these banks want to make it more convenient for people to use their services, since they know if it is close to where someone resides, the odds are, you will go to them. In addition, all these banks offer investment opportunities. Stupid they aren't; they know what they are doing and where to do it.

Yes, for sure, Chase is one of the banks building there.

[travelguy]

with the proliferation of on-line banking services i also do not see the need for so many brick and mortar bank locations. but that is just my opinion.

[janmcn]

Can someone explain why they are building more banks in Pinellas Plaza when we could use so many other stores/restaurants/etc.? I believe there will be 4 in a city block!

Obviously the demographics work for banks, not so much for stores/restaurants.

[Bogie Shooter]

I do hope so, the service and staff at the exiting one are appalling.

Have you shared that with the branch Manager?

[Lbmb24101]

I for one am happy to hear (and hope it's true) that Wells Fargo is one of them. The closest one otherwise is on 466...I live in the far south end.

Ditto here!
Banks in pPinellas is a much welcomed thing in my opinion!

[asianthree]

Am looking forward to a boa in our area

[Flyinglady]

Have you shared that with the branch Manager?

I would if he/she were ever available, I am always told "the manager is busy".

[dbussone]

Am looking forward to a boa in our area


I'm a former 25 year BOA client. Got sick of decreasing services, abominable wealth and mortgage care over the last 6 years. I use the Villages Citizens First Bank for routine banking and Ameriprise for wealth service. Happy with both. BOA should have gone under except that WH declared them too big to fail. Just another DC pile of you know what.

[Chi-Town]

BOA kept Merrill Lynch from becoming another Lehman Bros. Be thankful W kept them afloat. As far as Countrywide is concerned, that was their own doing.

[dbussone]

BOA kept Merrill Lynch from becoming another Lehman Bros. Be thankful W kept them afloat. As far as Countrywide is concerned, that was their own doing.


WH forced BOA to buy Countrywide.

[Sable99]

Am looking forward to a boa in our area

Me too! I like BoA because they also have banks in Michigan.

[Chi-Town]

WH forced BOA to buy Countrywide.
I don't think so. The purchase of Countrywide predates government intervention.

[manaboutown]

Since I travel frequently I retain a B of A account and ATM card. The reason is that B of A seems to have many branches and ATMs conveniently sprinkled about wherever I go - except in The Villages. I hope one of the Pinellas Plaza banks is a B of A. A Wells Fargo would be fine, too, since I keep an account there as well.

[Sable99]

Since I travel frequently I retain a B of A account and ATM card. The reason is that B of A seems to have many branches and ATMs conveniently sprinkled about wherever I go - except in The Villages. I hope one of the Pinellas Plaza banks is a B of A. A Wells Fargo would be fine, too, since I keep an account there as well.

The Villages website says BoA is coming soon in Pinellas! Yeah!

[69Ludwigs]

Need a Suntrust.

[Bonanza]

If Bank of America was the only bank in this area, I'd put my money in my mattress!

They have the worst customer service in the world.

[CFrance]

BOA is the most convenient way to give birthday and Christmas "presents" to our son and DIL, who live in Australia. They have one American bank account, and it happens to be BOA, opened before all the nastiness was known. I'll be happy if one opens closer to us in Tamarind Grove.

I can forgive myself for dealing with them because it's not my doing!

[thelegges]

The staff from BOA on bank row has always been helpful, and did our mortgage for our home. Our long term tenent goes every month to deposit and tells us it's quick and easy for them, and the teller handles everything. She said they even remember their names when they come in.

[Shimpy]

The Villages website says BoA is coming soon in Pinellas! Yeah!

So does the sign out front.........I still use them because it is such a pain in the you know what to change direct deposits and auto bill pays.
I asked BOA on 466 about the new bank and they said it will open Jan or Feb.

[dewilson58]

I for one am happy to hear (and hope it's true) that Wells Fargo is one of them. The closest one otherwise is on 466...I live in the far south end.

Welcome Wells Fargo!!!

[obxgal]

Find no problem going to the Wells Fargo in Wildwood, but it will be nicer having one closer.

[alanmcdonald]

Since I have accounts with all of the banks that will be in Pinellas Place and live in Pinellas, I'm thrilled.

[Bonanza]

So does the sign out front.........I still use them because it is such a pain in the you know what to change direct deposits and auto bill pays.
I asked BOA on 466 about the new bank and they said it will open Jan or Feb.

You can do it all online.

What could be easier than that???

[Amfunny]

Please, please be a chase bank. I know they told me that one would be opening up closer to me but can't remember where.

[jrandall]

We are happy a Bank of America will be there.

[Bonanza]

Since I have accounts with all of the banks that will be in Pinellas Place and live in Pinellas, I'm thrilled.


If I had an account with all those banks, I'd be thrilled, too!

:p

[alanmcdonald]

If I had an account with all those banks, I'd be thrilled, too!

:p

Chase - Set up when we were in Ohio and is financial manager
Bank of America - Set up to close house when we came to Georgia
Citizen's first - Set up to close house in TV by mail
Wells Fargo - Inherited mother's account from New Jersey

[Jullie]

Amazes me all of the strip mall areas are boring. Always the same, nothing new.

[dotti105]

I wish there was a convenient credit union. I quit banks years ago. Not a fan of corporate greed. Give me a local credit union any day!!

[Chopper]

Bank of America, Wells Fargo and First Street United Bank are all under construction, Sorry, no Chase Bank currently under construction.

[NYGUY]

I don't think so. The purchase of Countrywide predates government intervention.

Nothing EVER predates government intervention!!

[NYGUY]

I am happy to see B of A coming to the south end of The Villages as I have some of my accounts there including a mortgage which they handled with no problem!!

[Bonanza]

Bank of America, Wells Fargo and First Street United Bank are all under construction, Sorry, no Chase Bank currently under construction.

You would think that the banks under construction would have their sign out for creating business, if for no other reason, but they don't seem to do that.

Anyway, the manager of Chase on 441 near Lowes said that they will be building there. When? Your guess is as good as mine.

[SheilaO]

Me too! I like BoA because they also have banks in Michigan.
Me too!!! However, my BOA in MI is changing to Huntington Bank which is not in TV…I was able to stay with BOA, but may change…just want a bank in MI and FL

[Bonanza]

Me too!!! However, my BOA in MI is changing to Huntington Bank which is not in TV…I was able to stay with BOA, but may change…just want a bank in MI and FL

Chase is everywhere and BB & T is in many states, too.

Both are good, solid banks.

[jblum315]

Everywhere I've lived, it seems banks flock together like geese. If one opens a branch, seven others have to follow

[Shimpy]

[SIZE="4"]You would think that the banks under construction would have their sign out for creating business, if for no other reason, but they don't seem to do that.

SIZE]

B of A is the only one with a sign out. I hate it whenever you see a new building going up and there isn't a sign.

[Indydealmaker]

Are you sure they are all banks? Sometimes the bank that is financing a building will put up a sign. I've been fooled a few times thinking a bank was coming and it turned out it was something else.

If I remember correctly, there is one bank now and three more under construction.

[CFrance]

One kid banks at Chase; the other banks at BOA; we bank only online. If Chase & BOA open up in Pinellas, I will be one happy camper. Happy, easy birthdays and Christmases.

[TNLAKEPANDA]

I for one am happy to hear (and hope it's true) that Wells Fargo is one of them. The closest one otherwise is on 466...I live in the far south end.

There is a Wells Fargo right in Wildwood on 301 in front of the shopping center that has the ACE Hardware!

[villagetinker]

I guess you can never have too many banks.......

Maybe they are going to be like car dealers, several clustered in a single area....

[alanmcdonald]

I think it's a herd mentality. Once a bank decides to move into an area all the other banks feel they have to be there or lose their customer base to the one that's closest to its customer base.

It's the same reason some corners have 4 gas stations, an Exxon, a Shell, a BP and probably an off-brand like Raceway.

[Chopper]

In my earlier post, I referred to the First Street United Bank as being one of the three banks currently under construction. Actually it is the First Avenue National Bank.

[NYGUY]

In my earlier post, I referred to the First Street United Bank as being one of the three banks currently under construction. Actually it is the First Avenue National Bank.

I guess they all want us to think they are first....that's why I think Fifth Third is so funny!!

[Vladimir]

I just wish that one of the new banks would be TD Bank, formally Commerce Bank, and one of the best customer service focused banks around. Advised their hdqts that they are missing an opportunity in TV.

[bluedog103]

I just wish that one of the new banks would be TD Bank, formally Commerce Bank, and one of the best customer service focused banks around. Advised their hdqts that they are missing an opportunity in TV.
Same here Vladimir. There used to be a TD in Tavares but that one is now closed. Now we have a choice of Eustis or Ocala. There must be others around TV who use or have used TD and know what a great bank it is.

[Stdole]

I for one am happy to have banks being built.... they usually keep their properties in very good condition... no loitering .... and pleasing architecture designs... beat fast foods for quality looks of our community

[FlamingoFlo]

I think some banks are smart to be conservative about opening new branches. How many new customers and money will they draw or will they just be servicing existing accounts that were opened in the north? They don't make money servicing. The only time I need to go into a branch is to go to my safe deposit box about once a year. We have income on direct deposit, bills on auto pay or e bill pay, a debit card for cash, I can electronically transfer between banks and send money to kids, and if I need to deposit a check I can do that with my smart phone.

[tomvic811]

I too spoke with the manager of the Chase branch on 441 by Lowes and she told me that a branch would be opening in the spring, 2015 in Pinellas Plaza. The Distric.gov web site shows a planning map of Pinellas Plaza and that map shows the branch scheduled to be built next to the new Marathon gas station. Not sure how old that plan is and if it's still on schedule. However, as a Chase account holder, I went one step further and contacted a Chase online rep and posed this question to him and his reply, which he confirmed twice, is that his records show that no Chase branch is scheduled to be built there. Not sure who is right and who is wrong but I sure hope that Chase does open a branch there. Would be very convenient for many acct holders

[JoMar]

There is a Wells Fargo right in Wildwood on 301 in front of the shopping center that has the ACE Hardware!

WF opens in December in Pinellas and the Wildwood branch closes sometime this month. I rarely go into a bank except to use the safe deposit box, everything else is ATM or online but will be nice to have them closer.

[CFrance]

I rarely go into a bank either, but every time I do, there are a lot of people there. I think many simply like to do their banking in person.

I guess the banks are looking at the demographics and making the decision to relocate branches into busier areas.

[TNLAKEPANDA]

There soon will be FIVE banks in Pinellas Plaza. Pinellas Plaza is not a very big center. Are you kidding me... what a wast of real estate. How the heck do all these banks stay in business??? People are not going to deposit lots of money in a bank that is paying less then 1% and all the banks offer free checking. So how to they stay in business? Not much money in making loans. I just got a car loan for 1.29% from a Bank.

[Buffalo Jim]

I rarely go into a bank either, but every time I do, there are a lot of people there. I think many simply like to do their banking in person.

I guess the banks are looking at the demographics and making the decision to relocate branches into busier areas.


In the executive suites of banks there is an old saying about the felt need for branch banks even in the digital age . it goes like this :

' Customers like to visit their money ' .:welcome:

[JoMar]

And remember that branch's are petty cash to the Wells Fargo's, BAO, Chase etc. What they do show is "presence" which is really what they are marketing. The also take that money that you have in the banks, pay you very little for keeping it, then take it an invest it in what gives them larger returns, market, real estate etc.

[Bigben007]

Living near Pinellas Plaza, I can say I live in "the financial district". Ha, ha

[TNLAKEPANDA]

In the executive suites of banks there is an old saying about the felt need for branch banks even in the digital age . it goes like this :

' Customers like to visit their money ' .:welcome:

Well I think I will put $10 in each bank so that I can spend the day visiting
:a040:

[GrandmaP]

I'll second that!

[GrandmaP]

I do hope so, the service and staff at the exiting one are appalling.
Totally agree

[jalopy54]

Is one of the banks coming to Pinellas a Chase?

yes

[MSGirl]

I sure wish Regions would come to Pinellas!

[zonerboy]

70 responses and counting. I guess that should answer the OP's question as to why there are so many bank branches under construction in Pinellas Plaza.

[TNLAKEPANDA]

I wish Arby's would open a branch there!

[sueandskip]

Because its a free country and a bank or anybody else can build where they want if they have the money

[Wiserbud47]

Add Bank of America to the list of banks that are planning to build a branch at Pinellas Plaza.

[shcisamax]

I for one am happy to hear (and hope it's true) that Wells Fargo is one of them. The closest one otherwise is on 466...I live in the far south end.

Actually there is one on 301 just north of 44.

[shcisamax]

Add Bank of America to the list of banks that are planning to build a branch at Pinellas Plaza.

I hope that isn't a "rumor" but is fact. I will be mighty disappointed if they don't build.

[janmcn]

I hope that isn't a "rumor" but is fact. I will be mighty disappointed if they don't build.

Bank of America has filed paperwork to open a branch at Pinellas Plaza, according to today's on-line news.

[TNLAKEPANDA]

Bank of America has filed paperwork to open a branch at Pinellas Plaza, according to today's on-line news.

Cool... With all those banks we'll never run out of money.

[TNLAKEPANDA]

WOW... Almost 6,000 reads. Who knew it be so interesting and popular. LOL. ��

[shcisamax]

Bank of America has filed paperwork to open a branch at Pinellas Plaza, according to today's on-line news.

:a040:

[TNLAKEPANDA]

We are sooooo close. Don't stop now!

[CFrance]

There has been a BOA coming soon-type sign on the property down there since last summer. I think it's been a done deal for quite some time.

[TNLAKEPANDA]

When is enough...enough?

[SALYBOW]

Hope instead of serving popcorn they will grill burgers and franks we need some more food providers in this area. :mmmm:

[CFrance]

When is enough...enough?
Free enterprise.

[LuckySevens]

Can someone explain why they are building more banks in Pinellas Plaza when we could use so many other stores/restaurants/etc.? I believe there will be 4 in a city block!

I think 4 banks in a row looks obnoxious. To me, it sends a message as you are driving into The Villages from 466A heading East....'Look how rich we are'. The developer is really particular about which store or shop goes into each strip mall, (no duplicates) especially with restaurants, so I don't understand why they are allowing 4 banks in a row in the same area?
IMHO, we need lots of different stores than banks.

[CFrance]

I think 4 banks in a row looks obnoxious. To me, it sends a message as you are driving into The Villages from 466A heading East....'Look how rich we are'. The developer is really particular about which store or shop goes into each strip mall, (no duplicates) especially with restaurants, so I don't understand why they are allowing 4 banks in a row in the same area?
IMHO, we need lots of different stores than banks.
If you drive along 466, you will find many more than four banks in a row. Apparently the developer is not particular about banks.

[Shimpy]

If you drive along 466, you will find many more than four banks in a row. Apparently the developer is not particular about banks.

I don't care how many banks they build as long as Bank of America is one them. When it opens around Jan. or Feb as I was told at the one on 466 it will save me an hour round trip ride in a golf cart as compared to 30 mins.

[CFrance]

And it will help us out as well, as we do banking for our son who lives out of the country. Tired of driving all the way up to 466 for that.

[manaboutown]

I don't care how many banks they build as long as Bank of America is one them. When it opens around Jan. or Feb as I was told at the one on 466 it will save me an hour round trip ride in a golf cart as compared to 30 mins.

I am all for a B of A in Pinellas for this reason, too. I use B of A for my personal banking because they have conveniently located (if very slow) ATM's all over the country. WF has speedier ATM's but WF banks do not seem to be as numerous or as convenient in my experience.

[Avista]

Hope there will be a Sun Trust. Also tired of driving up north.

[Avista]

Need a Suntrust.

Agree. So many branches up north, none here.

[TNLAKEPANDA]

I think 4 banks in a row looks obnoxious. To me, it sends a message as you are driving into The Villages from 466A heading East....'Look how rich we are'. The developer is really particular about which store or shop goes into each strip mall, (no duplicates) especially with restaurants, so I don't understand why they are allowing 4 banks in a row in the same area?
IMHO, we need lots of different stores than banks.


I agree... Can you imagine five Sunway stores. One is too many.

[TNLAKEPANDA]

One stop shopping for a bank robber. Yes this is a joke.

[NYGUY]

I think 4 banks in a row looks obnoxious. To me, it sends a message as you are driving into The Villages from 466A heading East....'Look how rich we are'. The developer is really particular about which store or shop goes into each strip mall, (no duplicates) especially with restaurants, so I don't understand why they are allowing 4 banks in a row in the same area?
IMHO, we need lots of different stores than banks.

In that case, stay away from 466 financial row...even more banks!!

[George Bieniaszek]

I don't care how many banks they build as long as Bank of America is one them. When it opens around Jan. or Feb as I was told at the one on 466 it will save me an hour round trip ride in a golf cart as compared to 30 mins.

:agree:

[Radioman41]

They should rename the strip "Wall Street".