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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 21 A P R I L 2 0 , 2 0 2 6 F O C U S B A N K I N G / F I N A N C E / I N S U R A N C E Real estate optimization Camden National Bank, the principal subsidiary of Camden National Corp. (NASDAQ: CAC), had several signifi- cant real estate transactions recently as part of the process to optimize its real estate network to serve Maine and New Hampshire customers. "e good news is, we have plenty of real estate," says Bill Martel, CTO and executive vice president if technology and support services. "e question is, how do we put that to the highest and best use for our customers?" Camden National sold a 35,234-square-foot office building at 245 Commercial St. in Rockport to the Anchor Church for $2.75 mil- lion. e bank sold a 4,408-square- foot retail building at 96 State St. in Augusta to J.R. Jolicoeur LLC for $650,000 and leased 13,500 square feet of space at the 43,405-square- foot Evie Cianchette Block at 1 Market St. in Portland's Old Port neighborhood. Changing needs Camden National closed its branch at 96 State St. in Augusta several years ago, leaving three other branches in Augusta, plus three branches in sur- rounding towns. "We knew we had more than enough coverage," Martel says of 96 State St. "But we had kept it on the books and we were able to find a good buyer to move that off the books and, most importantly, take the proceeds and reinvest that into areas where we didn't have as much service." At 245 Commercial St. in Rockport, the bank had an operations center that was a critical hub for years. As for other companies, the pan- demic changed the operating model from on-site to hybrid. As the bank grew since then, it's continually hired people across the state. "Whereas everyone would have, at one point, been co-located cen- trally, that's no longer the operating model we're in," he says. "So we had C O N T I N U E D O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E » Saying no to big-bank fees: Smart. Smart Business Checking No monthly maintenance service charge PLUS no transaction fees up to 500 items per statement cycle: now that's Smart. Switch today at maine.bank From preparing for retirement to planning your legacy, MCB Wealth Management is here to help you live the life you've earned. Make the most of your success. Let's talk maine.bank/wealth Securities and advisory services are offered through LPL Financial (LPL), a registered investment advisor and broker-dealer (Member FINRA/SIPC). Insurance products are offered through LPL or its licensed affiliates. Maine Community Bank and MCB Wealth Management are not registered as a broker-dealer or investment advisor. Registered representatives of LPL offer products and services using MCB Wealth Management, and may also be employees of Maine Community Bank. These products and services are being offered through LPL or its affiliates, which are separate entities from, and not affiliates of, Maine Community Bank or MCB Wealth Management. Securities and insurance offered through LPL or its affiliates are: Not insured by FDIC or any other government agency Not bank deposits | Not bank guaranteed or obligation | May lose value P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y T H E BO U L O S C O. Camden National Bank says the sale of its former branch at 96 State St. in Augusta provided proceeds to reinvest into other areas. P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y T H E BO U L O S C O. Camden National Bank leased and recently completed its move into 13,500 square feet of space at the 43,405-square-foot Evie Cianchette Block at 1 Market St. in Portland's Old Port neighborhood. Every year we invest in at least some of those locations. — Bill Martel Camden National Bank

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