Regional bank increasing presence

Northwestern Financial Review, Feb 1-Feb 14, 2003

Commercial Federal Corp., plans to open 15 to 19 new branches in three markets: Denver, Omaha and Des Moines. Over the next two to three years, the Omaha-based company plans to open 10 to 12 new branches in the Denver area, three to four new branches in Omaha, and two to three new branches in Des Moines. The plan includes expanding the bank's ATM network with a minimum of 15 to 20 new freestanding ATMs to be located in high-traffic areas.

"Commercial Federal plans to launch an aggressive program to continue growing our three areas of greatest strength: people, places and products," said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer William A. Fitzgerald. "Our goals include expanding our market share by providing more personalized delivery of innovative financial service solutions and by fully leveraging our relationships with every consumer and business client."

Eventually, the $13.5 billion bank plans to step up its presence in all of its markets.

"Our goal is to offer the most convenient branch locations where people and businesses are located and where our markets are expanding in order to grow our client base," said President and Chief Operating Officer Robert Hutchinson.