FREEPORT

Kennebec Savings Bank joined with local officials and members of the greater Freeport community last week to cut the ribbon and celebrate the opening of the bank’s new electronic banking and loan center at 181 Lower Main St. in Freeport.

The location features many conveniences for customers, including the ability to electronically deposit checks, view account history, transfer funds and pay bills. It is also a loan office for both residential and commercial real estate for properties in Freeport and the surrounding area.

“We are very excited to open our new location and become a part of this vibrant community in the greater Freeport area. Our customers have shared how excited they are about having even more convenient access to our banking services. We are looking forward to building our reputation in the community on the two things we do best, provide outstanding customer service and give back to the community,” said Bill Hill, Kennebec Savings regional vice president and loan officer.

Hill and loan officer Travis Rowell, who combined have 36 years of experience in local lending, have offices in the Freeport building that will also include an ATM and reception area for customers. The electronic banking and loan center is the first expansion for the bank outside of Kennebec County.

For more than 147 years, Kennebec Savings Bank has never sold a mortgage on the secondary market.

The bank prides itself on local decisions that are made by each individual loan officer. Along with local decision-making, the bank is also known for extremely fast, flexible and easy loan processing for home mortgages, construction loans and home equity programs.

As part of the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Hill and Rowell presented checks to Freeport Community Services and Wolfe’s Neck Farm, each in the amount of $2,500. Since announcing the new location in Freeport, the bank has already donated more than $20,000 to local organizations and nonprofits.

“Freeport is thrilled to welcome Kennebec Savings Bank to town because they are a strong, Mainebased bank with a reputation for being wonderful community members. Already they have made the small building on Lower Main Street their own through some beautiful landscaping, and we look forward to having them provide excellent service to Freeport businesses and homeowners for years to come,” said Keith McBride, executive director of the Freeport Economic Development Corporation.

The new office is located on Route 1 between the Pet Pantry and Gritty McDuff ’s Brew Pub.

In 2006, Kennebec Savings Bank opened its first electronic banking center and became the first bank in the U.S. to put into production image-based “No Envelope” deposit technology with its automated teller machines. Advancement in this technology space has steadily increased, adding more capabilities with each revision. Since 1870, the bank has had a long history of outstanding customer service with locations in Augusta, Farmingdale, Manchester, Waterville and Winthrop.