Two Bank of America Locations in Mystic to Close

The two Bank of America branches on West Main Street and Williams Avenue in Mystic will close on May 15.

There’s a change in banking behaviors, according to Bank of America Spokesperson Tara Burke.

Burke said 24 million Bank of America customers use mobile banking. The company has a total of 34 million online banking customers.

During the third quarter in 2017, mobile customers logged onto their accounts more than one billion times and made more than 32 million mobile bill payments and those numbers continue to increase, according to Burke.

"What we see is our customers want the convenience to bank anytime, anywhere utilizing digital channels," Burke said.

Fred DelGaudio, who uses the Mystic River financial center on West Main Street, said he does most of his banking online, but he’s disappointed the bank closest to his home is closing.

"I’m very unhappy to see this place close because it’s always been a very convenient place to come to," DelGaudio said.

Instead of the two Mystic branches, Bank of America is suggesting customers travel to the locations on Long Hill Road in Groton and on Franklin Street in Westerly, respectively about 5 and 11 miles from the Mystic River location.

"I’m mad because we’re going to have to move to Groton or Westerly, which is way too far," Sandy of Noank, said. She does her banking in person and makes the trip twice a month to the Mystic River location.

Bank of America looks at a variety of factors when it comes to closing a financial center, including where the nearest location is and how many customers are there, according to Burke.

Mystic customers got a letter about the closure earlier this month. Burke wouldn’t comment on how many customers are affected.

Burke said the company will sell the Mystic River site. Bank of America leases the site of the auto-bank on Williams Avenue. While the drive-up banking will close, Burke said the ATM will stay open.

"It’s really convenient," customer Sophie Obach said. "I live right up the road."

The site in Waterford on Boston Post Road is also closing its doors on March 27.