Middle Village Welcomes Commerce Bank

Commerce Bank opened its doors in Middle Village last Saturday, luring potential customers with street jugglers, face painting for the kids and freebies for the adults. George Foreman grills, Dustbusters, totebags and even a Bose Entertainment system were given away to celebrate the branchs second location in Queens.
"Middle Village was a great location in terms of cross streets," said Peter Meyer, the regional vice-president for Brooklyn and Queens. The branch is situated on the corner of 80th Street and Metropolitan Avenue, a busy thoroughfare with a high concentration of residents. "We always look at the opportunity that exists in terms of density of population and the surrounding business community." Commerce opened its first Queens branch in Astoria last May.
Over 500 customers opened accounts during the celebration, said Meyer. As a deal for new customers, the bank offered a special CD rate of one year for 2%which is significantly higher than the going market.
The branch created around 30 jobs for the local community.
Donated checks were presented to the 104th Precinct Explorers, a service organization for teens who are interested in law enforcement. The Middle Village bank also donated a check to Bob Holden, president of the Juniper Park Civic Association.
One of the biggest conveniences that Commerce offers its customers is flexible hours. "People dont necessarily work and live in the same area where Commerce is located," said Meyer. "When they leave in the morning, their bank isnt open, or when they get back from work, their bank isnt open." In Middle Village, Commerce Bank is open Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The branch also offers three drive-through tellers.