Wells Fargo following customers to Dayton

Wells Fargo Bank will open its first branch in Dayton this spring, in response to the growing number of customers moving east for affordable housing, the district manager said Monday.

Lisa Stirgus, Wells Fargo district manager for the Sierra Valley market, which includes Carson City and Dayton, said the new branch will open in the Smith's shopping center in late May.

"We see a larger part of the population going out there and we wanted to be by their homes and their work," she said.

Wells Fargo is investing about $500,000 to improve the 2,500-square-foot building at 6 Pine Cone Road, between the Dollar Store and Quiznos sandwich shop. The contractor is F. Evans Construction, of Sparks. Wells Fargo joins Nevada State Bank and Greater Nevada Credit Union in this market.

Residents have watched the commercial community boom in Dayton recently, said Mike Riggs, board president of the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce.

"I would say the big surge started a year and a half ago and I think it's improved the face of the town," he said. "Those are much needed services that are finally being provided to the local community."

Lyon County has been singled out as the fastest growing county in the state, now boasting a population of more than 51,000, which includes Dayton, Fernley and Yerington.

Stirgus said this branch means 15 new full-time jobs in Dayton, plus openings in the Highway 50 East branch after the transfer of some employees who live in Dayton.

"A huge base of existing team members live in Dayton so we will be hiring a lot internally," she said. "We'll be doing a job fair in Dayton for some teller positions closer to the opening date."

Tellers start at $10 an hour and are offered full medical, dental and vision plans. A branch manager has not yet been selected.

Wells Fargo operates four branches in Carson City. The Dayton branch will have one drive-up ATM and five teller windows. The branch will offer consumer and business banking and financial planning. Mortgage business is expected to be high because of existing relationships with agents, Stirgus said.

This is Wells Fargo's 42nd bank in Northern Nevada.

It will be open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

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