LOCAL BUSINESS

Bank of America temporarily closes branches in SWFL due to coronavirus

Laura Layden
Naples Daily News

Bank of America has temporarily shuttered some of its branches, including more than 20 in Southwest Florida, due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

The bank has announced closures across the state — and the country — over the past few weeks, including here in Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties. 

More locations could close over the coming weeks.

The move comes as coronavirus cases are spiking in several states, including Florida.

Matthew Daily, a company spokesman, said there's no timeline for reopening the closed branches, but that it would happen "as soon as possible." Decisions on when to bring the branches back online will be made based on the circumstances at each location, he said.

When asked whether any of the bank's employees had tested positive for COVID-19, Daily declined to comment.

"We're trying to take steps to help support our customers and the employees during the health crisis," he said.

Several factors have gone into the decisions to close certain branches.

"The closures have occurred in areas where the foot traffic coming into the branches is low," Daily said. "Or where our staffing is not sufficient for all of them to remain open." 

He noted that some employees are having to take time off to care for sick family members who have come down with the deadly virus.

While branches are closing, Bank of America's CEO Brian Moynihan has committed to no layoffs — or furloughs — in 2020 companywide.

The bank closures include about 50 branches in Central Florida, as well as locations in South Florida, where there are hot spots for the virus.

These are among the branches Bank of America closed in Southwest Florida as of Tuesday, according to its website:

Lee County

  • 9020 Bonita Beach Road SE, Bonita Springs
  • 13650 Six Mile Cypress Parkway, Fort Myers
  • 8681 Cypress Lake Drive, Fort Myers
  • 16020 San Carlos Boulevard, Fort Myers
  • 1360 Homestead Road North, Lehigh Acres (lobby closed, but drive-thru still open)
  • 926 Cape Coral Parkway E., Cape Coral
  • 407 Cape Coral Parkway W., Cape Coral
  • 4301 Palm Beach Boulevard, Fort Myers
  • 2450 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel
  • 2536 Skyline Boulevard, Cape Coral
  • 571 Pine Island Road, Fort Myers (lobby closed, but drive-thru open)

Collier County

  • 5626 Tavilla Circle, Naples
  • 11120 U.S. 41 North, Naples
  • 12965 Collier Boulevard, Naples
  • 4501 U.S. 41 North, Naples
  • 4898 Davis Boulevard, Naples
  • 796 Fifth Avenue South, Naples
  • 4912 U.S. 41 East, Naples

Multiple locations have also closed in Charlotte County, including some branches in Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda and Englewood.

Bank of America is encouraging customers to visit alternate branches and ATMs — or to use online and mobile banking instead, which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Customers who need to access their safe deposit boxes at closed locations can still do so by appointment. Those needing an appointment should email their full name, address and phone number to safebox@bofa.com.

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