This is an updated version of an earlier post.
Webster Bank is closing a pair of Hartford area branches this spring, victims of consumers’ growing preference for digital and mobile banking, the Waterbury deposit-taker says.
Meantime, its downtown Hartford branch in CityPlace II has undergone an extensive makeover, Webster said Tuesday.
Effective May 16, its Rocky Hill branch at 2270 Silas Deane Highway, and another at 561 Hazard Ave., in Enfield, will shut.
Rocky Hill customers will be directed to the nearest local branch at 377 Cromwell Ave., and Enfield ones to 50 Freshwater Blvd. Webster has 168 branches in Connecticut, Boston, New York City and Westchester County, N.Y.
Five employees, including managers, in each of the closing branches, will be transferred to other branches or parts of Webster’s service network, a bank spokeswoman said.
“The closing of two of our banking centers reflects the fact that customers increasingly are managing their finances using online banking and smartphones and do not visit banking centers as often as they once did,” said Rosemary Gaidos, Webster executive vice president for consumer deposits and investment services.
The makeover of its 2,976-square-foot CityPlace II branch includes: A “pod” system instead of a traditional teller line to provide a more personal interaction; 24-hour walk-up deposit automated ATM; electronic coin counting machine; and digital video displays.
