Columbia Closings   What's not in Columbia anymore

This Synovus out on Garners Ferry Road is on the countdown now for a closure in Mid-January next year. Commenter Joe Shlabotnik notes that the suggested alternate location for this branch's customers is quite a drive from here. I suspect many people will make other arrangements.

(Hat tip to Joe Shlabotnik)

This BB&T is on an outparcel of the Total Wine & More shopping center at the intersection of Harbison and Columbiana. I'm not exactly sure when they closed, but the last google review is from November of 2020, so I'm going with "Late 2020" until I hear differently. Although I do not have a BB&T account, I do have their Visa for the tenuous historical reason that a bank chain they once bought had a branch near my apartment in Fayetteville. It's always been well handled, and I don't think I've ever had the occasion to step into one of their branches. I certainly hadn't been to this one.

I believe this brings the number of fairly recent Harbison area bank closings to three, with this one, Region's Bank, and Wells Fargo.

(Hat tip to commenter Andrew)

The State puts this upcoming closing down to cost cutting:

Wells Fargo, the fourth-largest bank in the U.S., has been on a cost-cutting spree after reporting billions of dollars in losses this year for the first time since 2008, The Charlotte Observer reported. Over the summer, the bank said it would close 65 branch locations across the country, on its way to eventually downsizing to 4,000 locations from its current 5,400, according to The Observer.

I'm sure large parts of that are due to changes in the banking industry, but I think Wells Fargo is still dealing with self-inflicted wounds from the 2016 scandal as well.

According to The State there are no definite plans for the property, but, of course, there is once again talk of a parking garage.

(Hat tip to commenter Sidney)

UPDATE 7 June 2021: Add "Wells Fargo" tag.

20!20 Vision has moved to 1600 St Julian Place, leaving this Blossom Street building in Five Points vacant. This building has always had a slightly odd look to me, and the LoopNet listing says that's because it was "the first bank in 5 Points". Not sure what the bank affiliation was, but that does explain the boarded up spot that was a teller window I guess (though Blossom would have had to have been less wide then).

Here's another de-branching, this one on Two Notch more or less across from Spring Valley. You can see the NBSC signage up at LoopNet, and I find the area description from RealtyTrac rather interesting:

For the surrounding community of Columbia, SC 29223, the nearby schools are above average and include Windsor Elementary, E L Wright Middle and Richland Northeast High. The overall crime risk for this area is slightly high with 4 criminal and sex offenders residing within 1 mile. The natural disaster risk for this area includes very low earthquake risk, very high tornado risk, and minimal flood risk.

Here's another Wells Fargo branch closed, this one by the Lexington Medical Center on Sunset Boulevard.

My sister is a WF customer, so she got word early and I took these pictures before it actually closed. Commenter JB later confirmed that it had taken place. Eventually I will get some pictures of the empty building if I can remember.

The de-branching of American banks continues with this Wells Fargo location at the southeast corner of Forest Drive and Beltline Boulevard being the latest example to feature here.

I had actually been inside this bank, as my sister and I took care of some shared business there. It was what you would expect, and a perfectably acceptable experience. The place is also actually a little easier to get in and out of than you would think, as there is a back exit to a road paralleling Forest drive behind the mirror buildings that brings you back out at a more convenient location.

(Hat tip to commenter Sidney)

UPDATE 1 May 2019: Updated tags.

UPDATE 15 August 2019 -- As mentioned in the comments, this building has now been razed:

There's not much to say about this closing except that the process of branch pruning at banks is continuing apace.

As a Bank of America customer I have used this ATM a number of times to avoid fees, but have never been in the branch itself. For now, the ATM will remain.

(Hat tip to commenter Andrew)

UPDATE 28 February 2022 -- Now A-1 Transport which seems to be at least partly an ambulance company:

Here'a another vacant bank branch, though this one closed a good while ago. I find it a little interesting because Capital Bank has not really been in Columbia all that long in the first place as I recall it. Looking at Wikipedia. Also, it appears that Capital was bought out late last year by First Horizon so the remaining branches are not really the same company though the name will continue to be used except in TN.

It was raining a bit when I took these pictures and I was trying to not get the lens wet. There is a much better picture at the LoopNet listing, which also shows better that part of the building is still occupied by Ellis Physical Therapy.

Here's another Wells Fargo branch "pruning", this one on Columbiana Drive at Afton Court. (And next to the former Monterrey Mexican).

You may also bank at any Wells Fargo location that is convenient for you.

Well, that's big of them.

(Hat tip to commenter Tom)

UPDATE 1 May 2019 -- Added map icon, updated tags.