Two local banks will be closing their doors in less than two months. First Niagara Bank will reportedly be closing its locations in both Owego and Conklin. The branches at 18 Lake Street in Owego and Conklin Road in Conklin will be closing March 7th. Eight jobs are expected to be affected. The move comes as a result of First Niagara’s consolidation efforts, a plan it announced on January 8th. With more customers using online, mobile, and telephone-based banking, the bank has seen less customers in-person, and as a result has been cutting back on positions. Up to 170 administrative positions at a number of branches will be eliminated. Eight other First Niagara branches will also be closing in addition to the sites in Owego and Conklin, with three in Western New York and five in Pennsylvania also being shut down.
