Irwin Union Bank will anchor Connemara development

Irwin Union Bank will move into the anchor position at a financial center under development on East College Parkway, a bank executive said Tuesday.

The financial center will be named after the Columbus, Ind.,-based company.

Bill Fergus, assistant vice president for Irwin Union Bank, said it will gain about 26,000 square feet and 100 employees with its move to 1818 E. College Parkway in late 2005. Its bank floor space will be about 6,000 square feet, office space will take up the remainder of the building.

Greg Nixon, Carson City Irwin Union Bank president, said he is glad to invest in Carson City.

"We are pleased with the growth of the bank in Carson City in recent years and as a result have outgrown our current office space," Nixon said. The bank is moving from 1717 E. College Parkway where it occupies 1,000 square feet. About 40 people work at that location.

The new location will offer full retail and commercial banking services, drive-up banking, ATM, commercial lending services, commercial real estate, residential mortgage lending and deposit and investment services.

"Our services are very well received in Carson City, Carson Valley and the Dayton areas," Nixon said. "For that reason an expanded facility is needed to better serve our clients. We are extremely excited to be the anchor tenant in the Irwin Union Financial Center."

The $14.3 million financial center, owned and developed by Connemara Park LLC, surrounds the Sonic drive-in on College Parkway. The 6.5-acre parcel will contain six buildings ranging from 3,000 square feet to 32,000 square feet.

So far, three of the buildings are occupied by a dentist's office, law firm and accounting firm, said John Griffin, a partner in Connemara Park LLC.

He said the development company couldn't ask for a better client than Irwin Union.

"It's a strong local bank with a history of ties to the community," Griffin said. "It's run well and well respected. It is going to be the corner anchor tenant in a financial center."

Irwin Union Financial Corp. is listed in the New York Stock Exchange as IFC. Irwin Union Bank and Trust Co. operates locally managed banks in Indiana, Michigan, Utah and Nevada. Its sister company operates banks in Arizona, Missouri, Wisconsin, Kentucky and California.

n Contact reporter Becky Bosshart at bbosshart@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.