CHARLESTON, W.Va. — BB&T notified 56 workers at its processing service center Tuesday that their jobs would be eliminated Dec. 1.
Representatives of the banking company addressed the move as an effort to become more efficient, said Charleston Mayor Danny Jones after meeting with a BB&T official Monday.
“When I received the call I was obviously apprehensive about what might take place in the meeting but it could have been a lot more negative,” Jones said.
BB&T will retain several hundred workers in the area, Jones said.
“We know there are fluctuations with banks and with a regional bank like BB&T. We are grateful for the presence they do have in Charleston and we hope there are no further cutbacks,” Jones said.
In a letter addressed to Jones, a BB&T regional president provided the 60-day notice of layoffs, pursuant to the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act.
“As part of this process we are becoming a more efficient company, but periodically it requires redirecting resources to areas where they’re most needed,” stated Bobby Blakley, the bank’s West Virginia Central Regional President.
“As we complete the review process we could potentially retain some employees if positions become available as part of normal attrition.”
David White, BB&T’s vice president of corporate communications, vowed the bank will assist employees before their jobs are eliminated.
“We’re already working alongside them to look for other opportunities both inside and outside of our company. Each associate is provided a 60-day notice, offered career transition services and a severance package based on their years of service.”
The processing center is located at the intersection of Piedmont Road and Bullitt Street in Charleston.