A century-old financial institution hopes to acquire a building in Palmerton to expand its reach in the region.

The Neffs National Bank is looking to purchase the roughly 11,000-square-foot structure at 372 Delaware Ave., Kevin Schmidt, President/CEO, The Neffs National Bank, said

Schmidt noted that a legal notice appeared in the newspaper, and that is followed by a 30-day comment period. From there, they have to get regulatory approval, an inspection of the building, and other procedures.

“It’s all sort of tentative,” Schmidt said. “We hope that it all goes through, but there are a number of procedures we need to follow, and approvals we need to get.”

Schmidt said that if acquired, The Neff’s National Bank intends to use the structure for a bank. “We have to determine how much of it we would be using initially, there will probably be some renovations inside,” he said. “We’re trying to keep the structure to the theme of what it was.”

Most recently, the building along Delaware Avenue had housed the former KeyBank branch, which closed Dec. 2, 2022.

The original bank building was built by Citizens Bank, before it was morphed into several other bank companies including Harleysville National Bank, as well as First Niagara Bank.

Schmidt said The Neffs National Bank continues to look at its current staffing needs, as well as its physical needs, as it continues to grow.

“This is an opportunity with this facility, something we could grow into and provide additional staffing here and expand into that market as well as our core,” he said. “It’s more room as we expand our productions and services.”

If the Delaware Avenue structure is utilized as a bank, it would give The Neffs National Bank three locations within a roughly 10-mile radius.

Current branch locations are at 5629 Route 873, Neffs, which in 2023 celebrated its 100th anniversary, and 211 S. Best Ave. in Walnutport, which opened in 2020.

Schmidt said The Neffs National Bank has been successful, and currently has assets of about $460 million.

“We want to help our existing customers, attract new customers,” he said. “We feel there’s lot to offer in Carbon County, we feel it’s a growing area with potential.”

Schmidt said The Neffs National Bank plans to keep the public posted as it proceeds with its plans.

“We hope that everything goes favorable as to regulatory approval, as well as business use; make sure the building is sound and we’re doing our due diligence on the building and inspection,” he said. “We look forward to this opportunity.”