Sterling National Bank To Close 98-Year-Old Forest Hills Branch

FOREST HILLS, QUEENS -- Sterling National Bank is slated to close a nearly 100-year-old branch in Forest Hills by the end of August, according to reports and employees.

The bank, which has operated at 108-01 Queens Blvd. since 1920, will close its doors for good on Aug. 28, a customer service representative confirmed to Patch.

The employee declined to go into detail about the closure, but Sterling National Consumer Banking President Brian Edwards previously said in a statement to the Forest Hills Post that it was a result of companywide consolidations based on "client need, usage and trends."

"When we choose to consolidate locations, a key consideration is the proximity of other locations and the technology clients can use to transact with us," Edwards said in the statement.

"All branch consolidations are communicated well in advance of closing a specific branch."

Sterling National Bank has two other branches within a mile of the Queens Boulevard location, according to its website. One is on 108th Street and 64th Avenue in Forest Hills, while the other is on Queens Boulevard near 64th Avenue in Rego Park.

Edwards declined to comment on whether either branch would see a similar end as their 98-year-old predecessor, the Forest Hills Post reported.

Representatives from Sterling National Bank did not immediately return Patch's requests for comment.

Sterling National Bank is a New York-based subsidiary of Sterling Bancorp launched in 1888 to cater to small to mid-size businesses and consumers.

Lead photo via Google Maps/October 2017