An iconic structure that had sat dormant for several years in the heart of downtown Palmerton has been given new life now that a renowned banking institution has opened its doors.

The Neffs National Bank began operations on Monday at the new Palmerton branch location at 372 Delaware Ave. in the historic building that once housed the Citizens Bank and Trust Company.

Chartered in 1928, the Citizens Bank moved into the current building in 1930, and operated there until 1999.

Over the next 23 years, the building housed other banks before becoming vacant.

Kevin Schmidt, president and CEO, The Neffs National Bank, noted that the Palmerton branch office underwent various renovations and upgrades to restore the building to its past state.

Schmidt said the building has all new windows, new floor tiling and carpets, chandelier, additional offices, restrooms and a kitchenette.

He said other features include a new roof, HVAC system, electric, new parking lot, new ATMS and new drive-thru equipment.

Schmidt said the building has all new data, as well as new TVs to promote the bank, and added they also restored the bank vault, which he noted everyone loves.

“We tried to keep a lot to preserve the history of the building and keep that historic aspect,” Schmidt said. “We’re not trying to erase that history.”

Above all else, he touted the bank’s motto of Strength, Trust, Community, as being one of the first things customers see as they walk inside.

Aside from the Palmerton area, Schmidt said the Palmerton branch also has customers from Lehighton, as well as other parts of Carbon and Monroe counties.

He said a ribbon cutting and grand opening ceremony are likely to take place in April.

The lobby is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday; and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.

The drive-thru is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday; and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.

The Palmerton office is the third branch/office, joining locations in Neffs and Walnutport.

Since 1923 The Neffs National Bank, a subsidiary of Neffs Bancorp Inc., remains committed to serving the financial needs of their clients and local communities with high quality customer focus. With their roots firmly planted in the local community, The Neffs National Bank is proud to be growing and expanding their footprint to better serve their current and future customers, and providing community service including food drives, school supply drives, Toys for Tots, EITC Tax Credit giving, a generous donation policy and more.