by Lisa Crockett

Castle Pines North (CPN) residents now have one less local banking option. The Washington Mutual (WAMU) branch on Lagae Road closed its doors on July 20. WAMU customers will now have to travel to the bank’s location on Milestone Lane in Castle Rock (near WalMart and Kohl’s.)

“Accounts will automatically transfer to the new location; customers don’t have to do anything,” said WAMU spokesperson Missy Latham.

Latham attributes the bank’s closure to a relatively low concentration of customers in CPN. Six other Colorado locations will also close during the second half of 2007. “We believe the remaining stores in Colorado will benefit from the consolidation,” said Latham.

Banking outlets in CPN now include: Compass Bank, Castle Rock Bank at Castle Pines, Colorado Capital Bank, US Bank (inside King Soopers) and 1st Bank (inside Safeway.)