Greater Bank is set to be part of the urban renewal of the Newcastle CBD after opening the doors to a new branch on Hunter Street in the East End Development.

The Hunter-based financial institution moved from Hunter Street to the redeveloped Marketown in 2012 but has returned to the CBD, which has been driven by the revitalisation of the area.

The new branch, which opened on 1 July, is located on the ground floor of the new East End Development’s Washington House that fronts Hunter Street.

Greater Bank’s Chief Operation Officer, Emma Brokate said that Newcastle’s urban renewal is having a positive impact on the CBD and is excited to return to be part of the City’s next chapter.

“Our community and business leaders have shown great vision that has been underpinned by significant public and private investment that is bringing life back into the city,” Emma said.

“The mix of new residential, commercial, education and retail developments are generating great interest, which in turn is seeing more people move into town to live, work, study, and also and for leisure. You can certainly sense a real buzz about the city.

“Relocating our Marketown branch into Hunter Street and the East End Development, which is fast becoming the new heart of the CBD, is a fantastic opportunity to be part of Newcastle’s revitalisation.”

Emma said that while digital technology is driving and changing the service demands of customers, face-to-face, over the counter banking remains important for many, particularly those in traditional markets.

“Each month more than half of our customers use the Greater Bank smartphone app as their primary source of interaction with us, however there are many who prefer a more personal service,” she said.

“For more than 75 years we have provided our customers with quality, over-the-counter services and we are committed to maintaining this practice.

“The new Newcastle branch will not only continue to support the needs of existing customers, but we believe will also attract new customers from the area to Greater Bank.”

With the relocation to the CBD, Greater Bank closed the doors to their Marketown branch on 30 June.

Greater Bank currently has 50 branches across NSW and South-East Queensland, including 23 in Newcastle and the Hunter, that service more than 270,000 customers.

IMAGE | Greater Bank’s Newcastle Branch Manager, Nick Van Baal, and Chief Operations Officer, Emma Brokate at the new Hunter Street branch.