By Junious Smith III

LA GRANGE — New location, new perks for La Grange Union Bank customers.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Tuesday for the bank, as operations were moved from its previous location on Caswell Street to 119 W. Railroad St. As a result of the change, the new building is able to accommodate customers even better.

Cheryl Parrish, and advisor with Union Bank, has worked with the company for 19 years and said there are great benefits with the new location.

"We've got the drive-thru, there's better parking for customers and the location's better, not being on a busy corner," Parrish said. "Advisors are also able to handle the needs of some of the customers in private because we have room and the tellers have more space."

La Grange holds one of 15 Union Banks across the state, with the banks spread from Roxboro to Wilmington. The organization was founded in 1998 and merged with the little bank in 2017 to help expand services.

La Grange Mayor Woody Gurley said he remembers the start of the bank 17 years ago and has appreciated the growth since.

“I think about the beginning, when we had the little bank here in La Grange,” Gurley said. “(Felix) Harvey purchased the building and we were able to have a good bank in the town. One of the biggest drawbacks was not having a drive-thru window, and now we've got one here, which will help the elderly. This is a good bank and it means a lot to the town of La Grange."

Rob Jones, CEO of Union Bank, said he hopes the new location will continue to enhance the connection the organization has created with La Grange.

"We've been excited to be here since 2002, and there's been $31 million in deposits here, which is significant when you think of a community the size of La Grange," Jones said. "We wanted to make a comittment to the community and we're thankful for the trust they have in us."

The lobby hours of the La Grange location are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday. For additional information, go to unionbanknc.com.