The East End is no longer a financial desert.
On Wednesday M&T Bank officials joined city stakeholders for the grand opening of the M&T branch at the Honey Locust Square project led by homegrown developer Anthony Stewart who also plans a grocery store, restaurant, pharmacy and healthcare facility.
The project, situated next to the East End library, is also home to Stewart’s development company.
From M&T Bank:
M&T Bank today announced the opening of a new full-service branch at Honey Locust Square in Bridgeport’s East End. This new location marks another step in M&T’s long-term investment in Bridgeport and its effort to expand access to financial services for residents, families and small businesses.
The branch occupies 1,538 square feet at 1224 Stratford Avenue. The branch features teller service, a walk-up ATM, and private offices for financial consultations designed to meet a broad range of customer needs, from everyday transactions to mortgage assistance and small business support.
“M&T Bank is proud to open our doors in Honey Locust Square and to help meet the banking needs of this neighborhood,” said Frank Micalizzi, M&T Bank’s Regional President in Bridgeport. “This moment is a direct result of the collaborative dialogue we began with community leaders and residents, turning those crucial conversations into a tangible resource for residents of the East End and East Side. This new branch reflects our belief in Bridgeport’s future and our ongoing investment in the people, businesses, and communities that make this city strong.”
M&T has become a key part of Bridgeport’s economic landscape, expanding its footprint and deepening its investment in the city through initiatives like a customer call center at Bridgeport Center that has created more than 350 jobs and strengthened the local economy.
“I appreciate that M&T Bank continues to expand its presence here in Connecticut, including at this new Honey Locust Square location, and I look forward to partnering with them further to serve the needs of our residents for years to come,” said Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont.
“We started this project more than three years ago and due to M&T’s incredible dedication to the City of Bridgeport, East End residents now have reliable banking services right where they live and work. This beautiful new branch is a key part of my administration’s commitment to revitalize this incredible neighborhood and community. We’re thankful to M&T Bank and look forward to their continued work in neighborhoods across Bridgeport,” said Bridgeport Mayor Joseph Ganim.
In addition to the $6,000 grant to the Bridgeport Public Library, the M&T Charitable Foundation’s $25 million Amplify Fund has directed nearly $3 million to more than 20 Bridgeport nonprofits focused on housing, youth programs, entrepreneurship and neighborhood revitalization.
M&T looks forward to the continued growth and energy taking shape across Bridgeport. The new Honey Locust Square branch reflects that momentum and the city’s bright future.
