Bank / Credit Union
Photo: Jerome – stock.adobe.com
June 30, 2025
Santander Bank plans to sell seven branches in Pennsylvania to Community Bank, N.A., a subsidiary of Community Financial System Inc. The bank aims to strategically position itself as a digital-first bank with innovative branches, according to a press release.
Santander recently opened its first Openbank branch at the Miami Worldcenter, which will serve as its flagship branch model.
“As we grow our presence nationally, we are making refinements to our physical presence to reposition and optimize our footprint for the future,” Swati Bhatia, head of retail banking and transformation for Santander Bank and CEO for Openbank in the U.S., said in the release. “We are investing in our branches, introducing new state-of-the art formats such as our new flagship model. The investments we are making in both digital and physical will help ensure Santander is best positioned to deliver for our customers for years to come.”
Community Bank currently has around 200 branches in New England.
“Community Bank is a highly rated bank, known for its top-caliber customer service,” Bhatia said. “We enter into this agreement knowing that our valued, long-standing customers will be well taken care of, as we continue our transformation in the United States.”
The deal is pending regulatory approval.
