HAMMOND | Citizens Financial Bank is moving all loan operations to its offices in downtown Hammond.

Citizens announced late last week that all 40 members of its combined commercial and residential lending teams will be working at 5311 Hohman Ave. by the end of September.

"Hammond was the birthplace of Citizens, and we have always maintained a strong presence in the city," said Daryl D. Pomranke, president and chief operating officer.

"This expansion of our operations and staff serves to strengthen our commitment," Pomranke said.

The bank was founded by 13 Hammond businessmen who put together $6,140 in 1934 to create an institution where residents could finance their homes with locally raised money.

Commercial lending operations previously conducted at the bank's Dyer offices will be moved to downtown Hammond, said Dana Talaga, vice president for marketing.

"It's a larger building in a nice area," Talaga said. "We want to bring more traffic into the downtown office."

Richard Calinski, Hammond's executive director of planning and development, said his office is ready to help with the bank's staff relocation.

"Our goals are recruiting new employers, retaining existing employers and offering assistance to primary employers who want to expand in the city," Calinski said.

The bank is planning a get-acquainted event for region families at the downtown office Sept. 5, which includes a live remote broadcast on Chicago radio station WOJO-FM 105.1 -- "radio la que buena."