Customers of First Citizens Bank in Lansing were sent letters at the end of January about the bank’s planned closing in May.

According to Barbara Thompson, manager of corporate communications for First Citizens Bank in Raleigh, the branch will be closed May 2. Customers can transfer accounts to the branch in West Jefferson if they choose.

“We’ve been in the area a long time,” said Thompson. “We will continue to provide customers the best service possible and hope they continue to bank with us.”

The closing of the Lansing branch, open since 1985, is a business decision, said Thompson.

“The bank is always evaluating its branch network, and this was a business decision to close as there is another office in close proximity,” Thompson said, noting that the West Jefferson branch will remain open and is located within eight miles of Lansing.

“People are banking in many different ways,” she said. “We looked at the best way to allocate resources, and will continue to offer tremendous service to customers in the area.”

Customers at the Lansing branch can transfer their accounts to the West Jefferson branch in various ways including online or through the ATM.

“It should be a seamless transition,” Thompson said. “We will also be moving the safety deposit boxes to the West Jefferson office.” Everything will be removed from the building in Lansing which is leased by the bank, said Thompson.

Some folks in Lansing are not happy about the town’s only bank closing, it was noted last Monday at the Lansing Board of Aldermen meeting.

Mayor George Rembert said he planned to contact the bank about a possible community meeting to answer questions about the closing. The closing will mean the Town of Lansing will have to move its official government banking business outside town.

Thompson said area executives of First Citizens Bank will be in contact with Mayor Rembert, and he would be welcome to share that information with the public.