Bank of America said Monday that it is closing call centers in Delaware and two other states, cutting about 1,900 jobs as it continues its integration of former credit card giant MBNA Corp.
Bank of America said its credit card call center in Dover’s Blue Hen Corporate mall will close by the end of the year. The center employs about 630 workers.
The bank also is closing a call center in Colorado Springs, Colo., where about 670 employees work, and a third in Horsham, Pa., with about 600 workers.
The closings are part of the bank’s consolidation efforts following its Jan. 1 acquisition of Wilmington-based MBNA. Officials have said previously that the merger could result in the elimination of about 6,000 jobs across the two companies.
In addition to closing the call centers, Bank of America is shedding a variety of real estate assets in Delaware, including the former New Castle County courthouse in downtown Wilmington, which MBNA purchased in 2003.
The bank also plans to sell an MBNA operations centers in Greenville and terminate two local leases, including that of a Bank of America facility near New Castle. Operations at those facilities will be consolidated into other facilities in New Castle County by the end of the year.
Bank of America spokeswoman Alex Liftman said the company prefers to lease, rather than own, its facilities.
“As such, where it makes sense, we will look to sell buildings owned by legacy MBNA and lease back the space we need,” she said. “This is consistent with the bank’s operations in other locations, including Charlotte.”
Liftman said workers at the Dover call center will be offered the chance to apply for positions at other Delaware facilities. Those unable to find other positions will receive severance packages and outplacement help.
Despite the changes, bank officials said they remain committed to the state.
“We will continue to be a major employer in Delaware,” Liftman said.
Calls to Delaware economic development director Judy McKinney-Cherry and the office of Gov. Ruth Ann Minner were not immediately returned Monday.