By Rick Winterson

     Christmas isn’t the best time of year to move, but First Trade Union Bank’s Drydock Avenue branch has managed their temporary relocation with their usual efficiency.

     The bank’s location at 10 Drydock Avenue is being completely rebuilt.  It will be a state-of-the-art facility when it is finished, which will be around the middle of 2007.  When First Trade Union Bank moves back in as one of the premier tenants at 10 Drydock Avenue, they have pledged to throw one of the grandest of Grand Reopenings ever seen in this part of Boston.

     In the meantime, the branch settled into its new, temporary quarters on Monday, December 19.  The opening went very smoothly, including putting up the Christmas decorations that feature Santa Claus and a large tree.

     The new location is 327 Northern Avenue, which is just a couple of minutes from 10 Drydock.  It’s at the corner of Channel Street, almost directly across Northern Avenue from the Bank of America Pavilion and very close to a Silver Line terminal.  The banners and signage were affixed to the building on the 19th.

     Assistant Vice President Brian Wyche, who is the Branch Manager at 327 Northern Avenue, promises that all of the services available at the Drydock Avenue location will be continued at the Northern Avenue site.  Even though that’s a temporary site, the same full service banking will be offered.  ATMs, drive-through service, ample parking, and handicapped access are all in place, as are the people you knew at the Drydock location.  Branch hours will remain the same – Mon – Fri: 8:30 to 4:30; Thu: 8:30 to 5:30.

     When you visit the temporary location at Northern Avenue, you can enter a contest to win a $250, 26” x 30” antique map of Boston.  One of these will be awarded during each month the First Trade Union Bank is in their temporary location.

     The First Trade Union Bank’s motto is, “The bank that works for working people”.  The staff at 327 Northern Avenue intends to keep it that way.  Please note that the temporary relocation will not affect the services and operations at the local branch on the corner of L Street and Broadway.  These will continue exactly as before.