Wellsville: Community Bank to close Main Street office, Belfast as well-UPDATED

In a letter dated Friday to customers, Community Bank at 113 N. Main Street will close effective September 12. The letter says “the banking services you have enjoyed at the Wellsville N. Main Street branch will be consolidated into out nearby Wellsville Highland Avenue branch.” The letter further stated “this decision was made after a thorough assessment.” In a Facebook notice, people have also commented that they received letters that the Belfast branch was also closing. A non-social media source confirmed the closing.

Calls requesting a comment have been made to Mayor Randy Shayler and Wellsville County Legislator Steve Havey. I’ll post their responses.

From Allegany County Legislator Steve Havey of Wellsville: Thank you for reaching out for a comment on the impending closure of the Community Bank on North Main Street in Wellsville.  Coming from a business background, I know that sometimes hard decisions have to be made.  Hard decisions will, however, have unintended consequences.  In this case we will have a few.  First of all, banking is a service business and many customers like their service “in person”.  For those folks, it will be an inconvenience at the least.  Second, there is likely to be lost jobs.  I hope Community Bank can avoid this one.  Also, there is the continuity of our Main Street at risk.  This building has housed a bank since well before I was born.  What will be its future?  Again, I understand hard decisions.  I sympathize with all parties in this one.    I look forward to seeing how Community Bank deals with the unintended consequences.

Steven A. Havey

Allegany County Legislator

County Office Building

7 Court St., Room 201

Belmont, New York  14813

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Statement from Wellsville Mayor Randy Shayler: "I am disappointed. I understand the business decision, but...I feel for all of the impacted employees."