Recently, the financial industry has been suffering, making it harder for even experienced workers to find employment in this sector. Now, 650 banking jobs in Atlanta may be lost as the Bank of America Corporation considers relocating.

The heads of Bank of America in Atlanta have decided that they will most likely move these jobs to Charlotte unless the building they are located in receives major renovations. The idea was brought up to the Development Authority of Fulton County in October by the BentleyForbes Group, which owns the Bank of America Plaza, according to the Charlotte Business Journal.

During this meeting, the group asked the authority to issue a bond worth $567 million to refinance the acquisition of the Plaza, renovate its office space and add a new hotel, several restaurants, stores and several other extras.

If the building receives the renovations, then these jobs will stay in Atlanta. On top of this, over 500 new positions will be created, according to an attorney who works for BentleyForbes.

“Without the proposed renovation of its office space, Bank of America will likely relocate to Charlotte,” said the attorney during the meeting. “The project has the potential to create 550 new jobs while retaining 650 jobs by keeping Bank of America employees in Fulton County.”
Despite the record of this comment, the Bank of America Corporation has denied that it has considered relocating the jobs in Atlanta to Charlotte.

“Bank of America remains wholly committed to the Metro Atlanta area, and any implication that bank is planning to withdraw from this important market is erroneous,” said the corporation’s media relations manager, Britney Sheehan in an e-mail to the Charlotte Business Journal. “We have more than 150 banking centers and hold office space in a variety of buildings throughout the area to serve the banking convenience of our customers. The status of an individual building, however iconic, has no bearing on our unwavering commitment to this market our business decisions.”

Labels: Jobs in Atlanta