Waterford Village Bank celebrates grand opening

Members of the Canisius College ROTC Golden Griffin Battalion Color Guard Michael Jozwiak, left, cadet; Melanie Padilla, cadet; Sydney Hunte, master sergeant; Nick Denner, cadet and Christopher Cabrera, cadet, raised the American flag during a special ceremony at the grand-opening event of Waterford Village Bank on Thursday. Photo by Jim Smerecak Purchase color photos at BeeNews.com

Waterford Village Bank marked the official opening of its new headquarters facility on Thursday with a ribbon-cutting, flag-raising ceremony and remarks by Rep. Thomas M. Reynolds, R-Clarence, followed by an evening of cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and music.

A flag ceremony led by Master Sgt. Sydney Hunte of the Canisius College ROTC's Golden Griffin Battalion Color Guard opened the program. The flag used was carried by Task Force Vigilant Soldiers on a combat patrol in Baghdad, Iraq and was presented to Waterford for its voluntary service.

Waterford Village Bank represents several firsts for Western New York, according to a press release from the bank. It is the first community commercial bank chartered in New York in the last 70 years; and it is the first area bank founded by a woman, Kathleen Kiesel Flemming, president and CEO of Waterford Village Bank. It is also the first area bank to offer a loan while you wait program for qualifying customers.

"Our commitment to area residents and local businesses is strong because we are locally owned and operated," said Flemming.

Waterford Village Bank and Flemming have been recognized for their excellence since opening for business in February 2007. In June, Flemming was honored as a regional finalist in the financial services category of Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur of the Year awards program. She also received the executive/CEO award at the YWCA of Western New York's Leadership luncheon that same month.

The Waterford Village Bank board of directors includes Chairman Lisa Wardynski and Vice Chairmen Dr. Robert Giannada and Dr. Barry Weinstein. Other members are Chester Ellis, Flemming, Leonard T. LoVullo, Kevin Sexton and Darryl Shannon.

The bank, located at 8411 Main St., near Harris Hill Road, is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, from 8:30 to 5 p.m. Thursday and from 8:30 to 6 p.m. Friday.

For more information, call 639-2000 or visit www.water fordvillagebank.com