Farmers to Open Canfield Lab Branch in May

CANFIELD, Ohio – Farmers National Bank will open its new Canfield branch, outfitted with the bank’s latest technology and customer-service initiatives, in May. 

Beyond just offering the technology, the branch will serve as a proving ground for technologies before they’re used system-wide.

“At Farmers, we remain committed to developing a culture of innovation, and this Lab Branch helps us achieve just that,” said President and CEO Kevin J. Helmick in a statement. “We’ll be able to evaluate and adopt new technologies at a faster pace to stay ahead of these innovations in banking technology.”

Among the technologies will be interactive teller machines in the lobby and drive-thru, allowing customers to speak to tellers through video conferencing. Inside, the branch will have a more relaxed atmosphere and a coffee bar to encourage engagement with bankers and customers. This brings the focus back on the customer experience, which is at the heart of the community bank’s mission, Farmers said in a news release. In addition, the feedback received from customers at the Lab Branch will aid in the rolling out of these new technologies bank wide.  

“We wanted to approach the retail banking experience in a new way, and this Lab Branch gives us the opportunity to interact with consumers, walk them through new technology, forge those relationships with digital innovators and complement the bank’s digital strategy through technology and collaboration,” said Amber Wallace, chief retail and marketing officer.

The Lab Branch, at 4538 Boardman-Canfield Road near the U.S. Route 224-state Route 11 interchange, will replace the site at Canfield Plaza.

Farmers National Bank has 41 branches in Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana, Stark, Wayne, Medina and Cuyahoga counties in Ohio, as well as Beaver County, Pa. At the end of 2019, Farmers National Banc Corp. reported assets of $2.45 billion.

Pictured: Construction is underway at Farmers Bank’s new Lab Branch in Canfield. It is slated to open in May.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.