There's a new player in the local banking industry.

On Monday, the newest institution to enter the field, Community Bank, staged a ribbon-cutting and grand opening event in Lansford.The branch is located on West Ridge Street, at the site of the former Bank of America.Dave Dobbs, vice president and district manager for Luzerne and Carbon County, said the bank had converted from Bank of America to Community Bank on Dec. 13.Community Bank is headquartered in DeWitt, N.Y., a suburb of Syracuse. It has more than 180 branch offices across upstate and central New York and throughout northeastern Pennsylvania.Sarah White, branch manager in Lansford, said Community Bank has purchased eight branches of Bank of America, including the Lansford branch. This is the southernmost branch of the bank.The bank has absorbed the local Bank of America customers.The branch has five employees, White said. It is open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday.White said, "I think Community Bank is a better fit for Lansford because they're more community focused.""How excited we are to be in Carbon County," Dobbs said.Professional teller Sharon Zukas was given the honor of cutting the ribbon to mark the official grand opening.Bank employees, Lansford Mayor James Romankow and Lansford Borough Council President Martin Ditsky also participated.Kathy Henderson, director of economic development for Carbon Chamber and Economic Development, and members of the Lansford Alive organization attended the event.Henderson said, "We're thrilled that Community Bank opened in Lansford and wish them all the success in the future."