The Community National Bank branch at 799 Hillside Ave. reopened July 16 as a Bridehamption National Bank branch following Bridgehampton’s takeover of Community National.
The New Hyde Park branch is one of 11 Community National branches that are now operated by Bridgehampton National following its purchase of Community National for $140 million in June.
Bridgehamption National Bank Director of Marketing Claudia Pilato said the branches formerly owned by Community Bank were a strong complement to the bank’s 29 existing branches, most of which are located in Suffolk County.
“These are all new markets for BNB,” Pilato said. “The move gives us complete coverage on Long Island.”
BNB is based in Bridgehampton and has been operating for more than 100 years.
American Banker ranked Bridgehampton National among the Top three community banks in New York, according to the company’s website.
Pilato said the bank, which reports $3.4 million in assets, relies on its Long Island roots to serve customers and businesses.
“We know the business community and the challenges businesses face,” Pilato said. “Here our lenders understand the community and the market. Our customers have access to people who know all about the banking business.”
Branch Manager Saveeta Ramprashad, who held the same position under Community National for the past three years, said she was pleased when she heard the news that BNB was taking over her location.
“The takeover hasn’t affected us negatively,” Ramprashad said. “It’s all positive. I always heard great things about BNB because they do old school banking and it was refreshing.”
Ramprashad, who is working in a New Hyde Park bank for the second time in her career, said the community has changed throughout her nearly 20 years in banking.
“The community used to be mostly Italian but now it’s becoming more East Asian,” Ramprashad said. “It’s been a slow change but it’s changing.”
She said her Indian background has helped clients feel more comfortable doing business in the community.
