CITIZENS BANK - OPERATIONS CENTER

For Citizens Bank, planning for the future meant taking a close look at the past. Since their start in 1905, they have expanded to 6 office locations and 9 ATMs in Farmington, Aztec, and Bloomfield, New Mexico. Standing as the largest locally owned community bank in San Juan County and one of the largest in the state, Citizens Bank has worked tirelessly to serve their customers and community in a supportive and caring way.

Invest? Or Start Fresh?

Citizens Bank's previously existing operations center consisted of three buildings totaling more than 50,000 square feet. Built and renovated across the 1950s, 1970s and 1980s, the facilities had evolved over time, but the resulting layout no longer supported the way Citizens Bank operated today. The question was, is it worth continuing to invest in the existing buildings, or was it time to start fresh? Citizens Bank partnered with La Macchia Group to evaluate their needs, understand how employees and leadership used the space, and develop a facility that could better support its people, operations and community for years to come. 

Rather than simply recreating the existing square footage, our team took a closer look at how the organization actually functioned. Through conversations with key team members, interviews with employees and discussions with company leadership, the team identified what was truly needed in a new facility. The result was a more intentional 36,000-square-foot program designed around how Citizens Bank operates, not around the limitations of its existing buildings. At the same time, Citizens Bank needed to maintain its commitment to customers throughout construction. Building a new operations center next to the existing facility created an opportunity to make the transition without sacrificing business continuity.



Based on the data collected, our team designed and built a new operations center that provided a more functional environment while creating a stronger foundation for the future. The new building was designed around the needs identified through the planning and interview process, creating a layout that is more logical, efficient and aligned with the organization's operations. Not to mention the cost savings that accompanied the new building's daily overhead.

Natural light became a defining feature throughout the building. Expansive windows bring sunlight into offices and shared spaces, while the board room takes advantage of a beautiful surrounding view to create a distinctive setting for meetings and leadership gatherings. The facility also incorporates Citizens Bank's extensive Southwest art collection, bringing the organization's regional character into the new space and creating a workplace that feels connected to its community.

The facility's location in the heart of oil and gas country also influenced one of its most distinctive features: the drive-up. With customers arriving in large trucks, Citizens needed a drive-up experience that could accommodate the vehicles and equipment common throughout the region. The oversized drive-up lanes provide the space customers need while creating a more practical and welcoming experience for the community Citizens Bank serves.

Strong participation from local subcontractors helped bring the project to life while allowing Citizens Bank to continue investing in the regional businesses and professionals who help strengthen the local economy. From the building's design to its artwork, drive-up experience and construction partnerships, the new operations center reflects the community they serve.

A Facility Designed for the Future

By taking the time to understand how the people work, how their customers interact with the organization and what the future required, Citizens Bank was able to move beyond the limitations of its aging facilities. The new operations center provides a more efficient 36,000-square-foot environment, improved energy performance, abundant natural light, spaces designed around the organization’s needs and a seamless transition that never interrupted business. Most importantly, Citizens Bank now has a facility designed not for the past, but for where the organization is going next.