Enjoying 'Positive Energy', Huntington Bank To Open New Branches In Detroit, Pontiac
DETROIT (WWJ) - Excited about the "positive energy" emerging in Detroit, Huntington Bank announced they will open two branches in Detroit and one in Pontiac this fall.
The announcement was made at a news conference Wednesday by Huntington's Southeast Michigan President Michael Feezey and Detroit Mayor Dave Bing.
"For the first time in a very long time, you can feel the momentum, you can actually feel it just by looking around," Feezey said.
Feezey also announced that Huntington will donate $5,000 to the Downtown Detroit Partnership to benefit Campus Martius Park, the location where the first new branch will open inside the Compuware Building on Oct. 31.
"We are thrilled that Huntington Bank is making this commitment and recognizing that Detroit is a great place to invest," Bing said.
"We need the support of our leading institutions to help small businesses create jobs and strengthen our neighborhoods," Bing said.
In addition to the Campus Martius branch, Huntington will open two branches on Dec. 5 at 1821 N. Perry Street and another in the Glory Supermarket at 8000 W. Outer Dr. in Detroit. These branches will bring the number of Huntington branches in Southeast Michigan to 52.
"Thousands of people are spending more time in Detroit, more hours, more money, so there is a need, a growing need for businesses to serve this community and to step up," Feezey said,
The Ohio-based bank is also apparently in talks with the city about a deal to help out as Detroit works to improve its Emergency Medical Services. Following complaints about too few vehicles and slow emergency response, Detroit earlier this year announced plans purchase of more than a dozen new state-of-the-art EMS units.
Bing said that Huntington is not the only bank interested in investing.
"Mike and I have already had a conversation about that and I think since its been played up in our media, there are other lending institutions that are now showing interest," Bing said.
In June, Huntington announced a partnership with the state of Michigan and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, committing $2 billion in commercial and small business lending throughout the state. They are the first Michigan bank to enter into this partnership.
