Update: New Bank Opens in McLean

UPDATE: McLean boasts one of the largest concentrations of banks in Northern Virginia and added another Thursday morning.

"We've wanted to be in McLean for 35 years," said Hunt Burke, chairman and CEO of Burke & Herbert Bank, at the opening of the bank's newest branch on Whittier Avenue. "It's a great community, close knit ... People appreciate good service," he said.

Why the concentration of banks? "There's a lot of money in McLean," said Jon Wilkins, of Main Street Bank and a member of the Greater McLean Chamber of Commerce.

"There are more places to get a roll of quarters than to get gas," in McLean, Wilkins said. He said he counted more than 20 banks in McLean last year.

The Chamber of Commerce joined Burke & Herbert in the formal opening to introduce their members to their new neighbors. Among others welcoming the bank: Dranesville Supervisor John Foust and Del. Barbara Comstock, R-34.

Sally Proto, a Chamber of Commerce vice president and the regional director of Capital One, said, 'It's a good market" because of the wealth in McLean.

"The economy is better here. . . It's not suffering some of the throes of the recession," she said.

McLean's median family income is slightly more than $188,000 a year, compared to slightly more than $72,100 for the state of Virginia, according to the latest figures from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Burke, the fifth generation of his family to head the bank, told his new neighbors: "We're very excited to be here and we expect to be here serving the community for years to come."

May 12 6:00 a.m. The crowd gathered on Whittier Avenue this morning is attending the formal opening of McLean's newest bank – Burke & Herbert.

Burke & Herbert Bank, established in 1852, and the oldest bank in Virginia, has been open in former home of Smith and Hawken since March.

The guest list for the 7:30 a.m. grand opening included Burke & Herbert Chairman and CEO Hunt Burke, Burke & Herbert President Scott McSween, state Del.  Barbara Comstock (R-McLean, Great Falls, Loudoun) and Dranesville Supervisor John Foust. Both Foust and Comstock are running for re-election.

This Burke & Herbert is headed by Branch Manager Faraz Siddiqui. Burke & Herbert Bank is headquartered in Alexandria and operates 24 branches in Northern Virginia. They opened a Clarendon branch in February and the McLean branch in March. 

Burke is the fifth generation of his family to lead the 158-year-old bank. Burke has worked at the bank in a variety of roles since the age of 13 and then as a full-time staff member for 30 years. He took over as CEO on April 1.

And yes, they are serving breakfast.