Bank of America surviving New Canaan with one less bank

There is one less banking center in New Canaan, which has at least 11, since the Bank of America branch at 42 Forest St. closed June 1.

"Based on foot traffic and other metrics, we determined we can efficiently continue to serve our customers at another location," Bank of America spokesman T.J. Crawford said, acknowledging the bank's two centers on Elm Street.

"We're able to see the other frequency of use at those locations," he said.

Some bank customers might have discovered the center closed when they went to use the drive-through ATM and it wasn't there. Crawford said customers were mailed letters several months in advance notifying them of the change. Employees were also transferred to other centers nearby.

"At the end of the day, it's a business decision, but we do expect minimal impact," he said.

Rui Moreira, banking center manager at 94 Elm St., said it didn't make sense for the Forest Street center to be open as long as it was.

"It (was) one of three centers in town for Bank of America," Moreira said. "I don't think any town has three banking centers."

Moreira said customers were transferred to his center.

"We've seen new faces," he said. "The majority of the customers are your commercial customers who have larger transactions."

He estimated between 400 and 800 customers migrated to the Elm Street center, noting the center was prepared to serve additional customers.

"If anything, I think it's going to be a positive impact," he said. "We've always been great at customer service here. We have one of the highest scores in the area and we're fully staffed, so it should be able to work out."

tmichael@bcnnew.com; 203-972-4407; www.twitter.com/tmichael89