'New' Bank is a Familiar Presence in Dundalk

The new Dundalk branch of Baltimore County Savings Bank sits just across Holabird Avenue from its former leased storefront in Merritt Point Shopping Center.

But at a ribbon-cutting ceremony Saturday to celebrate the official opening of the free-standing structure, BCSB President Joe Bouffard laughed when he told the crowd that people now ask employees if the bank is new to Dundalk.

Founded in 1955, BCSB has had a Dundalk branch since 1976, according to a press release from the bank. Started as a building and loan institution, BCSB has undergone many incarnations and is currently a Maryland-chartered commercial bank, Bouffard said.

From one office in Perry Hall, BCSB has grown to include 17 branches in four counties.

Dundalk resident Steve Dishon said Saturday that he has been a bank customer since moving to the area and learning of BCSB through a Welcome Wagon package given to new residents.

He said he likes working with a local bank where the employees know the customers, are easy to reach and give individual attention.

John Ayres, president of Norwood-Holabird Community Association, said in an email to Patch that he appreciates the bank's continued support of Dundalk.

"NHCA looks forward to a long-term, mutually beneficial community, business, organization relationship with our new BCSB neighbor," Ayres said in the email.

Before the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the building that's been open for about a month, Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz congratulated Bouffard and the rest of the branch employees on the new branch and thanked them for their local knowledge of and service to the Dundalk community.