When KeyBank acquired Union Savings Bank in January 2008, it also picked up USB”™s headquarters in Orangeburg. But Michael Orsino, KeyBank”™s president of the Hudson Valley-Metro NY area felt the location was “too far off the beaten path for Key”™s needs.”
Keeping its metro district headquarters in Rockland County was part of its criteria when it began to search for a new location. After selling the former USB headquarters, KeyBank is now calling Centerock Corporate Park on Route 59 in West Nyack its new home.
The 6,000-square-foot space contains administrative offices and two training centers. “Optimally, training classes are kept between eight to10 people at a time so there will be plenty of opportunity for one-on-one interaction with the trainer. And yes, we are hiring,” Orsino said.
“Our main concern was remaining in Rockland,” he said. “When we acquired Union Savings Bank and its branches, this became the epicenter of our Hudson Valley marketplace; the majority of our branches are located in Westchester, Rockland and Orange. This new location gives us greater exposure and access to the all our branches in the area.”
KeyBank”™s logo will soon be visible on the Route 59 corridor and at the entrance to the busy office park. “Rockland has been a great partner to us, and moving away from the county was out of the question,” Orsino said.
Colleen Sousa, who joined KeyBank two years ago as an area leader in retail banking, was elevated to senior vice president and Hudson Valley/Metro NY district retail leader in March.
Sousa, who has been in banking 24 years, began her career as a teller.
“Back when there were no computers … we saw a lot more people in the branches; I remember my dad taking me with him to the bank on payday when I was little to cash his check so he could give mom grocery and spending money,” she said. “Today, with online banking, ATMs and so many different channels people have available for paying bills, it has changed the number of customers we see. Though we do not see as many customers physically using our branches as I did when I was a teller, customer service is and must always remain our top priority. It has to be in any company or organization that wants to be successful. Customers still want to be regarded by name and know the organization taking care of them cares about their needs and works to help them in any way possible. That is something that can”™t be replaced by a computer.”
“Obviously, I”™m very happy Key remained in Rockland,” said Ron Hicks, president and CEO of the Rockland Economic Development Corp. “It picked a great location, with great exposure on Route 59 and close to two major highways for easy access to get to their branch locations.”
