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The last remaining Bank of America in Polk County will be closing its doors this week. 

 

The Columbus branch of Bank of America, located at 170 E. Mill St., will be closing permanently on June 14. The Bank of America website says the closure is part of a plan put in place before the pandemic to optimize its branch and ATM network as more customers opt for digital banking services. 

 

The Tryon branch closed several years ago, leaving the Columbus branch as the only option for in-person customers. 

 

According to the website, the branches across North Carolina scheduled to close, including several in Charlotte where the headquarters of Bank of America are located, had fewer visitors on average than other locations. Anyone wishing to close out their safe deposit boxes are asked to make an appointment during regular business hours. 

 

Modern banking is moving toward a model with fewer branches. Bank of America is the second-largest banking institution in the United States, behind JPMorgan Chase, and is the eighth-largest bank in the world. The nearest remaining locations are in Inman and Hendersonville. With the recent closures, there will be 144 locations remaining in North Carolina. 

 

Representatives for the bank have said that as a convenience for customers, the ATM will remain at the Columbus location.