Related Page: Bradenton Community Bank Reviews
This decision reflects a larger trend across the banking industry — one that’s reshaping how customers interact with their financial institutions.
A Growing Shift Toward Digital Banking
According to Bank of America, the Bradenton branch closure is part of a strategic effort to align with customer behavior, as more people manage their finances through online and mobile banking.
It’s true: digital adoption has grown steadily for years. Consumers are paying bills, depositing checks, and even applying for loans from their phones. For large national banks, maintaining hundreds of brick-and-mortar branches in every region no longer makes financial sense.
But while technology has made banking more convenient in many ways, it has also led to a quieter side effect — fewer opportunities for personal connection.
What This Means for Local Customers
If you currently bank at the 14th Street West location, your account won’t be closed. However, you’ll need to use alternative options for in-person transactions.
Bank of America customers are encouraged to:
- Visit another open branch in the region.
- Use the Bank of America locator tool to find nearby ATMs.
- Manage most transactions through the mobile app or online banking portal.
For many customers, especially those who value face-to-face conversations, this shift represents a meaningful change. Routine activities like discussing a loan, opening a CD, or simply asking a question about an account will now happen through a screen rather than across a desk.
Why Community Banks Still Matter
While large banks continue consolidating locations, community banks are taking a different approach. Instead of scaling back, local institutions are finding ways to strengthen relationships through personal service, community investment, and local decision-making.
Liberty Savings Bank, which has proudly served Sarasota and Manatee Counties for decades, remains committed to providing customers with convenient, in-person service — the kind that builds trust and understanding over time.
For Liberty, every branch isn’t just a building — it’s a connection point with neighbors, families, and local businesses.
Liberty Savings Bank Is Expanding — Not Retreating
At a time when many national institutions are closing doors, Liberty is opening new ones.
This summer, Liberty Savings Bank opened a new Financial Center in Lakewood Ranch, a community that continues to grow and thrive. The expansion is part of Liberty’s broader commitment to bring more friendly faces to the communities we serve and ensure that banking remains accessible and personal.
The new Lakewood Ranch Financial Center provides:
- In-person banking and relationship-driven service.
- Access to loan officers, savings specialists, and financial advisors who understand the local economy.
- A modern, welcoming environment that blends technology with the warmth of a community bank.
“While others are moving away from in-person banking, we’re doubling down on it, we believe people deserve both convenience and connection — digital options when they want them, and local support when they need it.” - CEO, Ryan Powell
Banking That Belongs to the Community
The closure of another national bank branch in Bradenton underscores the changing landscape of financial services. But it also highlights something equally important: the enduring value of local banking relationships.
In times of transition, having a trusted local partner can make all the difference — whether you’re managing your savings, financing a home, or simply seeking honest financial advice.
Liberty Savings Bank’s expansion is a reflection of its belief that community banking still has a vital role to play in Sarasota and Manatee Counties. While national banks may be closing doors, Liberty is opening them — literally and figuratively — to help strengthen the neighborhoods we all call home.
