After recently acquiring the east coast branches of HSBC Bank, Citizens Financial has bought 154 branches of Investors Bank at a reported cost of $3.5 billion. This acquisition includes the three neighboring units known as the “Bay Ridge cluster,” located at 8724 Fourth Ave., 7826 Fifth Ave. and 7123 Third Ave. It remains to seen whether they keep all three branches operational.
It’s amazing to view a financial institution originally founded in 1926 as the Washington Rock Building and Loan Association, which changed its name in 1942 to Investors Savings and Loan Association, and has a long history of acquiring many former banks, including the old Brooklyn Federal Savings Bank in 2012. Now it’s losing its own identity.
Citizens Bank at 9201 Third Ave.
Banks seem very eager to set up shop in Bay Ridge, I suspect in part due to the many automobile showrooms here, the frequent real estate sales and the need for loans to pay high property taxes.
You probably won’t see the bank’s signature change to Citizens until the second quarter of this year.
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The Wicked Monk Irish pub at 9510 Third Ave. is ready for the wearing of the green and a toast or two of Guinness in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day.
SUNSET PARK — “As a resident of Marine Park, one of the great surprises I found biking around Industry City and visiting Japan Village was to discover Bush Terminal Park. I continue to be amazed at the serene hideaways that the city offers in some of the busiest places — and, still, with an iconic view.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — ‘A miracle that no one was killed …’ That’s what neighbors are saying about the collapse of the Hotel St. George marquee. Shown in this photograph are workmen beginning the removal and repair of the historic, old neon sign at the corner, referencing a relic of Brooklyn Heights’ past: the St. George Hotel.
ATLANTIC AVENUE — Exhausted shopper with cluster of bags and goods from mall at Boerum Place stops to look at huge construction site across the street. “Is that REALLY going to be a jail??” Her male companion is reassuring, “Nothing like Rikers … this is 21st Century.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — Overheard in line at one of most popular pastry outlets on Montague Street: “Hope I can get them into a camp …” A mother with two pre-schoolers in tow was showing a friend the Dodge Y flyer for Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 18.
