Sovereign Bank Reopens 31st Avenue Branch

Borough President Helen Marshall (fifth from r.) and state Senator John Sabini (fourth from r.) joined Sovereign Bank officials, including Alla Koumoullos, branch manager (sixth from l., holding scissor) at the grand reopening of the Sovereign Bank branch at 75-15 31st Ave., Jackson Heights last Saturday, September 15.

Public officials and community leaders joined the friends and customers of Sovereign Bank September 14 in a grand reopening and ribbon cutting ceremony at the Sovereign Community Banking Office at 75-15 31st Ave., Jackson Heights.

Terence J. Mitchell, community banking president of Sovereign's Metro Division, presided over the program which celebrated completion of a major renovation and modernization of the location that has been a banking office for more than 50 years.

Mitchell said, "We are delighted that so many top Queens public officials and community and business leaders came to help celebrate the transformation at our 31st Avenue community banking office. Our goal at Sovereign is to provide superior service to our customers and modernization of this location helps make it possible for us to do that. The Sovereign investment in Jackson Heights is also a reflection of our strong confidence in the continuing expansion of the economy in Queens."

Wheelchair Charities, Inc. Founder Henry "Hank" Carter (c., holding check), Borough President Helen Marshall (second from r.) and state Senator John Sabini (far r.) join Wheelchair Charities clients and Sovereign Bank officials at the grand reopening of Sovereign Bank branch at 75-15 31st Ave., Jackson Heights, September 15.

Among those participating in the reopening ceremony were Queens Borough President Helen Marshall, state Senator John D. Sabini, Assemblymember Jose R. Peralta and City Councilmember Helen Sears, as well as Community Board 3 Chair Vasantrai Gandhi and leaders from the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Queens.

The celebration at 31st Avenue continued on Saturday, September 15, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with a free sidewalk fair for local residents and families, including arts and crafts for children, face painting, free hotdogs and balloons.

The Friday program also included presentation of grants to two local non-profit service organizations with grants of $2,000 each made by Sovereign to Wheelchair Charities, Inc., of Jackson Heights and Woodside on the Move.

"Sovereign is proud to support the work of these two outstanding organizations as we renew our commitment to customers and community with this grand reopening ceremony," Nia Rock, Sovereign Bank vice president and community reinvestment officer, said.

Wheelchair Charities, Inc., based at 83- 10 35th Ave., Jackson Heights, was founded by Henry "Hank" Carter in 1973 following a shooting injury that paralyzed a friend, who is now undergoing rehabilitation at Coler-Goldwater Memorial Hospital. Over subsequent years, the organization has enlisted volunteers and raised money for specialized equipment to aid many more current and former paraplegic and quadriplegic individuals.

Carter, who is executive director, said, "Anything done that is positive is done by God. Operating without a staff of paid executives, Wheelchair Charities has become the largest financial donor and donor of specialized equipment for the handicapped in any city or state in the nation. We would like to thank Sovereign Bank for today's generous donation and for the support and involvement of your officer, Nia Rock, with the organization over many years."

Woodside on the Move received a $2,000 donation to support its programs for youth and senior citizens in need of housing assistance. These include counseling, legal clinics and tenant assistance and advocacy, tutorial services for school-age children, including after-school and summer camp programs, and community cultural events.

Michael McSweeney, chairperson president of Woodside on the Move, said, "Partnerships with organizations that support the community help us to advance our mission. We appreciate the recognition by Sovereign Bank for our service to the Woodside community and look forward to the opportunity to continue to partner with Sovereign to improve the quality of life of residents and businesses in Woodside."

The extensive modernization of this Sovereign Bank office follows the consolidation of a nearby branch on 31st Avenue in Woodside earlier this year.

"Our team members and local offices have been an integral part of community life in Queens neighborhoods for decades," Benedetta LeoGrande, senior vice president and Queens Regional Executive for Sovereign Bank, said. As we complete the modernization of this office and welcome our Woodside customers to this new location, we also look forward later this year to the opening of new Queens community banking offices in Long Island City and Whitestone."

Borough President Helen Marshall welcomed Sovereign Bank to the community with its bright red company colors and extensive new services to the area. Marshall added that she loves the color red.

Sabini stated that he is glad that Sovereign Bank has come to the area.

Sovereign Bank serves Queens residents and businesses at community banking offices throughout the borough, including the newest Sovereign office at 24-29 Jackson Ave. in Long Island City. Other Sovereign community banking offices are at: 75-15 31st Ave., 89-01 Northern Blvd. and 83-20 Roosevelt Ave. in Jackson Heights; 37-10 Broadway, 24- 28 34th Ave., and 22-59 31st St. in Long Island City; 72-44 Austin St., Forest Hills; 150-28 Union Tpke., Flushing; 18-11 101st Ave., Richmond Hill; 162-38 Cross Bay Blvd., Howard Beach; and 23-56 Bell Blvd., Bayside. Sovereign will open its newest office later this year in Whitestone, at 149-33 14th Ave.

Sovereign Bancorp, Inc., ("Sovereign") (NYSE: SOV), is the parent company of Sovereign Bank, a financial institution with $82 billion in assets as of June 30, 2007 with principal markets in the Northeast United States. Sovereign Bank has nearly 750 community banking offices, more than 2,250 ATMs and approximately 12,000 team members. Sovereign offers a broad array of financial services and products including retail banking, business and corporate banking, cash management, capital markets, wealth management and insurance. Sovereign is the 18th largest banking institution in the United States. For more information on Sovereign Bank, visit ww.sovereignbank.com or call 1-877- SOV-BANK.

Sovereign Bank is a registered trademark of Sovereign Bank or its affiliates or subsidiaries in the United States and other countries.