BB&T on schedule to convert NatPenn branches this weekend

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All National Penn branches closed at 5 p.m. Friday, allowing bank officials to work on the technical and logistical issues of the conversion over the weekend.

The branches will reopen Monday morning under the BB&T banner.

However, four National Penn branches in Lancaster County will remain closed, as their operations are being consolidated into nearby branches.

“In most cases, you can see the new branch from the former branch,” said Craig Kauffman, BB&T’s Central Pennsylvania Region president.

Two of the closing branches are expected to reopen under ownership of different banks.

Bank of Bird-in-Hand is taking over a former National Penn branch at 3540 Old Philadelphia Pike in Leacock Township. First Citizens Community Bank of Mansfield said it will move into the former National Penn branch on 740 East Main St. in Mount Joy.

In addition to the branch changes, BB&T also will close National Penn’s regional headquarters at 280 Granite Run Drive in Manheim Township and consolidate operations into BB&T’s regional headquarters at 1570 Manheim Pike in Manheim Township.

“Again, if it weren’t for some trees, I can see that office from my office,” Kauffman said.

Lancaster County law firm Saxton & Stump LLC is taking over the space that was National Penn’s former regional headquarters.

BB&T announced plans last summer to buy National Penn for $1.8 billion, shortly after it had finalized a deal to buy Susquehanna Bancshares Inc.of Lititz for $2.5 billion. The conversion of Susquehanna to BB&T happened in November.

Kauffman said he expects the National Penn conversion to go “exponentially better and more efficient” than did the Susquehanna conversion.

“Not because that one was bad, but because this one is just so much easier,” he said. He pointed to the experience those in the region already have with a conversion and because of the proximity between branches that are closing and branches where business is being consolidated.

Because many of the branches are so close, customers will be able to conduct business this weekend at the new branch.

“I think when you step back and look at BB&T’s footprint in the county, we’re positioned very well for the future,” Kauffman said.