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The new branch featured a team of bankers and the latest technology.

U.S. Bank last month debuted a gleaming, glass-accented bank branch in the heart of Charlotte, North Carolina’s financial district, marking the first step in an expansion plan that extends the bank’s retail footprint to a 26th state.

The new state-of-the art location held a grand opening ceremony on Oct. 22, complete with free food, balloons, live music, speeches and, of course, a ribbon cutting. Team members in the branch are already busy opening new accounts for consumer and business banking customers.

“We take great pride in helping individuals build strong financial futures and in helping business owners reach their financial goals, and the excitement is about the opportunity to show all Charlotteans how U.S. Bank is different,” Tim Welsh, vice chairman, Consumer & Business Banking, said of the new location.

The branch brings together consumer banking, business banking, wealth management and more under the same roof. Consumers can access self-service tools for some routine transactions, demo digital tools and talk to bankers about their financial needs.

“We think it’s one of the best examples of the bank of the future, and what that means for our customers, for our employees and for the future of the Charlotte community,” said Ross Carey, executive vice president for new and national markets in Consumer & Business Banking. “This is a shining example of what we are becoming at U.S. Bank.”

The Charlotte market is led by Vickie Harrison (who is pictured above cutting the ribbon) and the new branch is managed by Ashley Cumberbatch. Over time, U.S. Bank plans to open as many as 10 locations in the market.

“The new branch kicks off what is going to be an investment in the community we live in,” said Harrison. “It allows us to serve our employees and existing customers and really opens up the possibilities as we look to expand across the market.”

While U.S. Bank is just now bringing retail banking to Charlotte, it’s had a presence in the city since 2006 when it bought a Corporate Trust business.

The bank now has more than 850 employees supporting various business lines, including Corporate & Commercial Banking, Investment Services, Risk & Compliance and Mortgage. It also already serves tens of thousands of mortgage, auto loan and credit card customers in the market.

“We are excited to be able to continue that work and take it a step further here by engaging with even more of our existing customers and new customers here to help them fulfill their dreams,” said Dee O’Dell, executive vice president for the east region of Consumer & Business Banking.

At the grand opening ceremony, Charlotte Mayor Pro Tem Julie Eiselt praised U.S. Bank for its role in a vibrant local economy as well as its civic contributions. Over the last 10 years, U.S. Bank and its employees have invested more than $2 million and thousands of volunteer hours in Charlotte, highlighted by the the recent announcement that it’s giving $1 million toward a popular Rail Trail bridge project.

“When U.S. Bank chose Charlotte, Charlotte became the lucky one because we are partnered with an incredible organization,” Eiselt said. “It’s a great partnership, and I know it’s going to grow and thrive.”