Tag: US Bank

Business Relocating, Community

Unitus Moving Mall 205 Branch

Unitus Community Credit Union will permanently close its Mall 205 branch on November 16th, relocating operations to a new Cascade Station storefront the following week. Credit Union management expedited the planned move after an early October car crash damaged the building, compromising security. Consequentially, tellers are no longer able to complete cash transactions at the Mall 205 location.

Unitus moved into its current Mall 205 space at 1052 SE 96th Avenue on July 25th, 2011, relocating from its former Mall 205 location less than a mile away. The credit union had outgrown the smaller space and wanted to modernize the branch. In a 2011 press release, the financial institution presented the new storefront as “one of Unitus’ signature branches with artwork, a tech center, coffee kiosk, contemporary furnishings and décor.” A little over a decade later, Unitus’ Chief Retail Officer Corlinda Wooden explained they need less space to support members. “We felt that the space at Mall 205 had become too big for the use we need, so we looked for another location nearby to help reduce our lease expenses. We decided to relocate the branch to the Cascade Station shopping center, which is about five miles from the Mall 205 location.”

Repair to the southeast corner of the of Unitus after car crash

Unitus Community Credit Union’s decision to shrink its footprint follows many organizations that have reduced leased space post-pandemic. Even before health concerns forced companies to embrace work-from-home operations, the banking industry was adjusting to the mobile-first preference of users who now complete most banking services via smartphone. 

Unitus’ move out of the area further reduces banking options for Montavilla residents. US Bank closed its NE Glisan Street branch three years ago, and Riverview Bank consolidated operations out of the neighborhood in 2021. In late 2020, Chase Bank closed its location inside Fred Meyer at 6615 NE Glisan Street. However, OnPoint Credit Union opened in its place a few months later. Montavilla residents also have BMO Bank, formerly Bank of the West, at 8135 SE Division Street.

Unitus Community Credit Union plans to open its Cascade Station branch on November 20th. The Mall 205 location no longer supports cash transactions. However, cash is available through the on-site ATM. Credit union members should look for an email from Unitus announcing the new branch opening sometime in November or check the institution’s website for more details when they post that information.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

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New Business, Property Sale, View of Montavilla

US Bank Property Sells to EyeHealth Northwest

Last month, the former US Bank location on NE Glisan street sold to a prominent eye care specialist. On March 5th, a Quick Claim Deed filed with Multnomah county shows United States National Bank of Oregon sold the building, and surrounding parking lot, to EyeHealth Northwest. Located at 6701 NE Glisan Street, the site has remained vacant since the bank permanently closed in late 2020.  

EyeHealth Northwest operates a chain of eye clinics in the Portland-Metro region. Locations offer optometric services, including eye exams and eyewear sales. This property’s proximity to Providence Medical Center makes this an ideal place for the healthcare provider.

The quick sale of the site is a good indication of NE Glisan’s continued economic growth. Nearby businesses should see an increase in foot traffic when EyeHealth Northwest opens this office.

Disclosure: EyeHealth Northwest employs a relative of the author. However, that person did not provide information about the sale.

Business Closing, Demolition, View of Montavilla

Glisan Chase Bank Closed

The Chase Bank, located at 6615 NE Glisan Street, has closed. Situated inside the Fred Meyer grocery store, this branch was one of the last banks providing teller services to the neighborhood. A US Bank branch also closed on Glisan street last October.

The permanence of the branch closure is not confirmed. However, this location disappeared from the Portland branch locater page on Chase’s website. The Chase logo over the bank entrance is now gone, and the space is empty of all furniture. Last week crews removed the built-in teller windows and countertop.

Currently, Fred Meyer appears to have inventory items stored inside the space on pallets. Both Fred Meyer and Chase declined to respond to inquiries regarding this location. A remodel may be planned, but indications point to Chase Bank removing this branch from the area. Being valuable space near the entrance, Fred Meyer will likely repurpose this room sometime in 2021.

Business Closing, View of Montavilla

US Bank Branch Closing

Montavilla’s closest U.S. Bank branch is closing as part of a statewide reduction. Located at 6701 NE Glisan Street, the 1962 era branch is just outside the boundary of Montavilla. It, along with 26 other Portland branches, will close permanently on November 1st.

The Oregonian published the complete list of closures yesterday, announcing employees at those locations would lose their jobs. Many terminated employees are allowed to reapply for new roles within the company. This round of closures is a relatively large number for the Portland founded banking giant.

Safe deposit customers at this location have until December 1st to retrieve their items. Customers should call 888-713-9299 to arrange access to the safe deposit items.

United States National Bank Of Oregon owns the building on NE Glisan. It is unknown if the bank will sell the property. However, other recently closed U.S. Bank locations have sold after closing. The former branch at 3233 N Lombard Street sold this summer for $1,035,000.

The NE Glisan property spans the block’s entire width between NE 67th Ave and NE 68th Ave. Attached to this property are two full-sized residential lots fronted on NE 68th Ave. They currently provide parking for the bank. This property would be an ideal location for a multistory apartment building with some ground-floor retail. It is high on the Glisan hill, potentially providing excellent views on the upper floors. The site is adjacent to a Fred Meyer grocery store and walking distance from a Max station.

U.S. Bank customers that used this branch should consider visiting the location at 10220 SE Washington Street. Montavilla has very few banks in the area. However, the nature of banking has changed recently, thanks to technology making app-based banking more accessible. With some luck, this location will soon become a beneficial space for the community again.