KeyBank celebrated its new branch on Albany Street in full force this week, with a ribbon-cutting, charity donations, financial seminars and a community festival celebration featuring music, free food, prizes and a visit from the KeyToon mascot.

“The number one thing that I hear is how we’ve beautified this area of town,” said Cazenovia branch manager Fred Agerter.

At the May 13 ribbon-cutting and grand opening, Agerter and Mike McMahon, senior vice president of Key’s Retail Banking division in Central New York, issued thanks to village zoning officials, KeyBank employees, Fred Harris of Harris Drycleaners, Mayor Tom Dougherty, the village board and everyone who made the 12 to 16 month process possible.

Dougherty cut the ribbon at the grand opening ceremony May 13.

The new branch location offers many services that were not possible at the old branch. KeyBank has new drive-up facilities with two lanes, handicap access and much more parking available for its clients.

At the old branch, clients were concerned by a lack of privacy due to the small space. The new location features private offices to answer those concerns, Agerter said.

The new branch also features new, Saturday hours from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The new branch is bringing in new locals and visitors alike, McMahon said.

“We are seeing quite a good lift in new clients coming to the bank,” he said. “Not only from Cazenovia, but the surrounding towns and villages and areas.”

The new branch features an openness in the lobby, with an atmosphere lightened by the design and colors, McMahon said. This is an atmosphere Key is aiming for in all of their new locations.

As part of an effort to give back to the community, KeyBank also celebrated the new location with a donation of $1,000 to local charity Caz Cares.

“As part of our commitment to the community, we wanted to make a donation to a very deserving project that gives back to the community,” Agerter said.

Key also donated $600 to the local Veterans of Foreign Wars chapter after realizing an accidental conflict between KeyBank’s May 16 barbeque and celebration and a similarly scheduled VFW scholarship fundraiser lunch.

The community celebration featured music, free food and barbeque, face painting and a visit from the KeyToon mascot.

In March, BusinessWeek ranked KeyBank one of its top 25 “Customer Service Champs” for 2009.