SunTrust Banks to open Charlotte branch

Atlanta-based SunTrust Banks said Tuesday it will open a branch in Charlotte at 12916 Walker Branch Road in January. The site is southwest of the city, about two miles from the South Carolina border.

The bank also announced Tuesday that it will be putting new, upgraded automated teller machines in North Carolina.

The branch opening comes as SunTrust seeks to grow its market share in the Charlotte area. SunTrust acquired branches in Charlotte — and in other parts of North Carolina — after it bought Memphis, Tenn.-based National Commerce Financial Corp., parent company of Central Carolina Bank, in 2004.

According to the latest federal data, SunTrust has 15 branches in the city. With $712 million in deposits, it's sixth in the city for market share.

In June, Bill Peele, president of the bank's Mecklenburg/South Carolina region, said SunTrust is eyeing sites in the Lake Norman area and just across the South Carolina border as locations for additional branches.

Meanwhile, the bank is enhancing its ATMs as many other banks do the same. SunTrust's new ATMs will allow customers to set preferences, and same-day credit will be given for deposits made before 9 p.m. The machines will also have touchscreens, allow envelope-free deposits and provide receipts that display a copy of the deposited checks.

“As customer banking preferences change, we want to ensure a wide range of options, from strategically located branches, to online and mobile channels and efficient and user-friendly ATMs,” Brad Dinsmore, the bank's head of consumer banking and private wealth management, said in a statement.