Aug. 6--LAS CRUCES -- Bank of the West plans to close its branch at 141 S. Roadrunner Pkwy.

Company spokesman Carl Gentles said that the bank started to send out notifications to customers last week. He said the Roadrunner location is set to close on Oct. 30 and it will merge with the company's branch at 795 S. Telshor Blvd.

"Absorbing the branch is the Telshor location, less than two miles away," Gentles said. "This is really just an overhaul to improve our efficiencies. There are a total of six branches overall in our entire 19-state footprint that are doing the same thing."

Area manager Brenda Allred said the company wants to assure customers that this is not a sign of trouble.

"We've sent out letters and we've also called about a third of our customers," she said.

"Bank of the West is sound," Gentles said. "Our core business is performing well."

He said all the employees at the Roadrunner location will have the opportunity to transfer to another branch.

"It really is a move for us to position ourselves, and position our branches, for the future," Gentles said. "The closure won't affect any of the current branches' customers' accounts. Everything will be transferred over to Telshor branch. On Oct. 30, they can go right to Telshor branch and continue with their banking."

Jim Peach, who teaches economics and international business at New Mexico State University, said he is not surprised companies are looking for ways to "examine the cost" of doing

business.

"In the economic downturn, this is an opportune time to re-examine any business, including banks," Peach said.

Bank of the West, which has its corporate office in San Francisco, reports that it has assets of $66.2 billion and serves more than 4 million business and household accounts in 19 states.

On the Web site www.bankofthewest.com, the company reports that, "Through holding company BancWest Corporation, the bank is a subsidiary of BNP Paribas, one of the six highest rated banks in the world."

It has 700 commercial and retail banking locations and approximately 10,400 employees.

Gentles said if customers have any questions, they can "call their local branch and talk to the customer service manager for a better understanding of the process."

Brook Stockberger can be reached at bstockberger@lcsun-news.com; (575) 541-5457

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