Norway Savings’s first NH branch to leverage proximity to mixed-use development

Courtesy / Norway Savings Bank “We’re very excited for this significant growth opportunity,” said Dan Walsh, the bank’s president and CEO.

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By Laurie Schreiber

Norway Savings Bank said it plans to open its first branch in New Hampshire in early 2025.

The full-service branch will be in North Conway, N.H., about an hour's drive from the bank's Norway headquarters.

The branch will also be near Ridgeline Community, a planned 126-acre development that will provide 55-and-older housing as well as workforce housing, ski condos, restaurants, commercial space, medical office buildings and health care facilities.

Site work for the new branch began in February, with the footprint of the bank and its future parking lot now clearly outlined. Foundation and base work is expected to be complete this summer.

“We’re very excited for this significant growth opportunity in what will be a beautiful facility, but also for the chance to provide our personal banking experience to a new community and its people as we help them reach their financial goals,” said Dan Walsh, the bank’s president and CEO.

The branch will be staffed by existing team members along with bankers from the local area. Michelle Luce will serve as market manager, Jack Day as commercial loan officer and Kristen Charette as mortgage loan officer. The trio already has a track record of working with North Conway-area residents and businesses.

“We have been out in the community introducing ourselves to residents and business owners in the area and seeing many of our longtime customers face to face,” said Day.

Plans for the branch include a comfortable seating area with a fireplace, a community room for nonprofits and other groups to use and several customer service offices.

Rather than a traditional teller line, there will be an open environment with service stations. There will also be a two-lane, drive-through and ATM.

Construction will include energy-efficient technology such as LED lighting, an energy-recovery unit to recycle the heat from exhaust air, heat pump technology, thermal and spray-foam insulation beyond code-required levels for maximum efficiency, and three-phase power to provide more efficient operation of the HVAC equipment and power.

Norway Savings ranks No. 7 on the list of largest Maine-based banks, with assets of $1.8 billion and 24 offices, according to the 2024 Mainebiz Book of Lists.