It’s not a new restaurant, hotel or retail center. In fact, it’s not even a new oil and gas venture. However, another business has decided to expand and it’s calling Bridgeport – and White Oaks – its newest home.

 

Clear Mountain Bank, a locally owned community banked headquartered in Bruceton Mills, will open its 13^th branch location in mid-August. The new loan production office is part of a financial institution that can trace its roots back for more than 100 years.

 

The office in Bridgeport, which will situated as part of 1,093 square feet of space inside the Percheron building nestled up against Interstate 79, is the furthest the bank has ventured to the south. The closest branch to the one opening in Bridgeport is in Morgantown.

 

So why Bridgeport?

 

“We see a tremendous amount of opportunity in Harrison County,” said Clear Mountain Vice President of Marketing Clint McCabe, CFMP. “Bridgeport is a growing, thriving community, and it provided us a great opportunity to expand our footprint and develop additional lending relationships. 

 

“The White Oaks development is expanding rapidly and the Percheron location offered a convenient office space, located on the first floor of the building, with easy access to I-79,” he continued. “Additionally, the office is located in close proximity to major employers in the area, such as United Hospital Center and the FBI Center.”

 

The new Bridgeport office will be headed by a familiar name to banking in Bridgeport as well as the region. Tim Stout, vice president of commercial lending, will be the primary contact for the office. He will be assisted by loan officer Carol Johnson, while Bobbie Hillyard will manage the office’s day-to-day functions.

 

Although labeled as a loan production office, there will be other services offered, McCabe said. He pointed out that will serve commercial and personal clients and provide a full range of lending services. The services that will be offered include commercial, mortgages, home equities and personal installment loans.  McCabe is hoping the area will give the new business a chance and said he it has plenty to offer.

 

“Clear Mountain Bank is a locally owned bank, which allows us to truly understand the communities and customers we serve.  Our decisions aren’t made based only on a number or the bottom-line impact,” he said. “We’re excited to be in Harrison County and look forward to developing relationships with both new and existing customers as the community continues to grow.”

 

The bank’s roots can be traced back to Bruceton Bank and The Terra Alta Bank. They officially combined in 2005.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo show Tim Stout, seated, and Carol Johnson inside the soon-to-be-open Clear Mountain Bank branch in White Oaks.