1710 N. High St. is back in action and a new KeyBank branch is the first addition to the three vacant buildings of what was the former String Shoppe on Ohio State’s campus.
KeyBank opened their first branch on Ohio State’s campus on August 22nd, said Melissa Ingwersen, KeyBank’s Columbus district president.
“We’re pumped about the new branch on campus, we can finally be connected to the university and OSU’s students,” said Adam McMahan, a relationship manager for KeyBank. “We opened right when we planned and we’re very excited about the location being right across the street from the student union.”
KeyBank has been a long-time corporate partner with Ohio State, Ingwersen said. This branch will demonstrate Key’s commitment to the OSU community by providing a new convenient branch for students to utilize, she said.
The new branch encourages not only new and current students to open an account with them but also graduating students because they will help with financial planning upon getting a first job out of college, McMahan said.
The former String Shoppe was split into three lots to be leased and KeyBank, the first to step in, took the middle, Zachary Schiff, fourth-year in communication and son of landlord Scott Schiff said.
“KeyBank is who you look for when you’re doing real estate,” Schiff said. “We won’t have to worry about them paying rent every month and hopefully they’ll be a good tenant for a long time.”
The new branch could brew some competition because it’s opening directly next door to a Chase Bank branch.
Chase offers special promotions for those opening a new account with them. For example, they will match the first $100 deposit by any new member.
“Key absolutely has a few promotions coming up,” McMahan said. “I expect them to start up once campus picks up, around late September, early October.”
McMahan did not know specifically what promotions they will offer.
Prior to the new opening, the closest KeyBank branch was downtown, making it a hassle for some who live on campus to manage their accounts. Since Aug. 22nd however, there’s now a branch and two ATM’s in the area McMahan said.
“To go to the bank, I used to have to plan around my classes to drive there and find parking; for something that doesn’t take too long,” Ryan Cook, second-year in business, said. “A few of my friends and I are excited for the new bank, there’s no gas necessary because it’s within walking distance.”
The new branch is having a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, Sept 1, 2011, McMahan said. More information can be found online at www.key.com.
Chase Bank declined to comment.
Danielle Hixenbaugh contributed to this story.
