[StBernard] First Bank Reopens in St. Bernard

[Westley Annis]

First Bank Reopens In St. Bernard By Striking Up The Band; Other Businesses
Also Coming Back

By: Steve Cannizaro

October 17, 2005


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There was a festive atmosphere on October 13 when a band played music and
food was served at Gulf Coast Bank & Trust in Chalmette, which was the first
St. Bernard bank to reopen since Hurricane Katrina.

Bank President Guy Williams said he felt it important that the bank, located
at 8216 W. Judge Perez Drive, get up and running because they want to bring
St. Bernard Parish back. 

"We're here to help people who want to bring back St. Bernard" Williams said
after the grand opening ceremony in the trailer offices behind the old bank
building. 

"You can't do anything without money. We made it a point to get back here
quickly". 

He said many of Gulf Coast Bank's employees live in St. Bernard and have
suffered losses like the rest of the parish's residents. The Gulf Coast Bank
system saw four of its branches closed because of hurricane damage, but the
one in Chalmette, which has been in business five years, was the first to
reopen. The bank is open 9am-3pm, Monday-Friday, and 9am-12pm on Saturday.

Several other businesses are in the process of getting up and running. Two
gas stations have reopened, the one at the Super Walmart store and the other
at Hoffer's Discount on the corner of Paris Road and Judge Perez Dr. Also,
Shorty's Po-boy's is operating in a trailer at Paris Road and St. Bernard
Hwy.