March 12. By Dave Yochum. Chase Bank has begun demolition work at the old Rite Aid building at Jetton and West Catawba where it will build a 3,000 square foot branch with a two-lane drive through.

It’s part of Chase’s entry into North Carolina, starting with a branch in Chapel Hill. Chase plans to add up to 40 branches across the state in the next three years, creating 250 jobs.

Cornelius is a billion-dollar market according to the most recent FDIC market share reports for 28031. With the addition of Chase, there will be over a dozen within a very short distance.

Chase growth plans

Expanding into Cornelius is part of a growth program announced earlier this year by Thasunda Duckett, CEO of Chase Consumer Banking.

The new Cornelius facility will house regional directors for the bank as well as community development employees, said Chase spokesman Matt Wauben. “Essentially, this new building will serve as a Northern Charlotte service facility as we expand into this region,” he said.

The Chase office will face the intersection at a 45 degree angle with a drive-through and parking behind.

Another building coming

A second 4,500 square foot commercial/retail building is also planned on the same property but it will be built at a later date.

    —Dave Vieser contributed to this story