OLNEY, Md., Feb. 24, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sandy Spring Bank (Nasdaq:SASR) announced today that its Operations Center recently relocated to 6831 Benjamin Franklin Drive, Columbia, Md. This modern new facility is strategically designed to allow for enhanced innovation, collaboration, and client research and engagement.
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Nearly 300 employees occupy the 54,000 square foot space, which is home to all of the bank's operational functions, as well as the mortgage department and members of the wealth, commercial, private banking, insurance, and marketing teams. The location houses 80 offices and an additional 225 workstations for employees. It features extensive natural light in every workspace, an open floor plan to inspire conversation, and a wide variety of conference rooms and meeting spaces.
"The new Columbia Operations Center reflects what we strive to be as an organization. It is bright and inviting to clients and employees alike, but it is also inspiring and progressive in its function," said Dan Schrider, President and CEO of Sandy Spring Bank. "When planning for this move, we took a close look at the evolving needs of our clients, and we developed a space that would better position us to anticipate and exceed their expectations."
Among several additions to the bank's operational capabilities, the new building features a centrally located Client Experience Room. This unique space is dedicated to hosting client focus groups, panel discussions and networking events.
"In addition to serving as a functional space, the Client Experience Room serves as a physical reminder of the bank-wide commitment to putting the client at the center of every business decision," said John Sadowski, Executive Vice President & Chief Information Officer of Sandy Spring Bank. "While we look forward to the creativity and collaboration that will happen in this room, we are more excited to put forward innovative and actionable solutions that will improve the client experience at Sandy Spring Bank."
Another new addition to the bank is the Technology Test Lab. Fitted with the latest mobile devices, desktop computers, tablets, and an image enabled ATM, the lab will allow employees to regularly test all of the bank's online systems.
In recognition of the move and Sandy Spring Bank's 300 employees in Howard County, employees in the new Operations Center will collectively volunteer 300 service hours in the coming months. To kick off the effort, the employees made a more than 200 lb. donation to the Howard County Food Bank, and assembled 1,000 care packages for the seven senior centers that are part of the Howard County Office on Aging. Additional activities in support of Rebuilding Together Howard County and the Community Action Council will take place in the coming months.
"At Sandy Spring Bank, we take to heart our commitment to improve the communities we serve," Schrider said. "This Operations Center opens new doors for our employees and clients, and we want to commemorate that by giving back to a community that has given us so much."
Sandy Spring Bank has had a presence in Howard County since 1982. In addition to the Operations Center, there are Community Offices in Fulton, Lisbon and Clarksville.
About Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc.
With $4.4 billion in assets, Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. is the holding company for Sandy Spring Bank and its principal subsidiaries, Sandy Spring Insurance Corporation and West Financial Services, Inc. Sandy Spring Bank traces its origin to 1868, making it among the oldest banking institutions in the region. Sandy Spring is a community banking organization that focuses its lending and other services on businesses and consumers in the local market area. Independent and community-oriented, Sandy Spring offers a broad range of commercial banking, retail banking and trust services through 44 community offices in Anne Arundel, Carroll, Frederick, Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George's counties in Maryland, and Arlington, Fairfax and Loudoun counties in Virginia. Through its subsidiaries, Sandy Spring Bank also offers a comprehensive menu of insurance and investment management services. Visit www.sandyspringbank.com for more information about Sandy Spring Bank.
The photo is also available via AP PhotoExpress.
