Financial Institutions Construct Branches for Growing Area - September 14, 2003 By GREG JUNEK Three East Texas financial institutions said they are looking forward to opening new locations to better serve a growing Tyler. Jacksonville-based Austin Bank is working to establish branches in downtown Tyler and on the city’s west side near Hollywood Theater. Hibernia National Bank has a branch under construction at South Broadway Avenue and Heritage Drive. And Kelly Tyler Federal Credit Union is continuing construction on its new main facility, 2501 Grande Blvd. Austin Bank is refurbishing an area on the first floor of the Petroleum Building.. 305 S. Broadway Ave., for a downtown Tyler branch. The 3,200 square-foot banking center is scheduled for completion late this year. Larry Bolton, the bank’s regional vice president for Tyler-Smith County, said the new branches were the result of the bank’s efforts to attract new customers and make their locations convenient to the population. “I think we’re in a growth mode in Tyler-Smith County because we feel like this is a very important market for the Austin Bank group,” Bolton said. “And I think they’re looking (to grow in) some of the other counties that we are in, some of the larger counties; but Tyler-Smith County is very important to the growth of Austin Bank.” Jeff Austin, chief executive officer and chairman of the board, said Tyler is an important part of the bank’s business strategy, and the west side location is vital to its commitment to the Tyler area’s growth and development. “This expansion confirms our belief in the strong growth and development of the west side of Tyler and offers new opportunities to better serve our customers and businesses in that area,” Austin said. Austin Bank has 19 locations. It has $581.3 million in assets. Written in the Tyler Courier-Times Telegraph. << Archive