Permit filings have unveiled that a new bank branch is ready to tee off in Hamlin, marking the town’s ninth financial institution to hit the green. Nestled right beside the future PopStroke mini golf course, this proposed branch appears poised to take a swing at an already crowded fairway of banking options, leaving locals to wonder if another bank is truly necessary or just par for the course.

A pre-application request was recently submitted to Orange County for review of the project. This initial step, customary for businesses looking to engage with county officials, indicates that the bank is still in the early stages of development.

The influx of banks in Hamlin is hardly a surprise to those familiar with the area’s financial scene. The Town Center’s central position serves a vast population, and with commercial space in the Horizon West and Wellness Way corridors as limited as a tricky par-3 hole, banks are clearly eager to stake their claim early. Local small businesses and high-value home transactions still demand in-person banking, ensuring that even the most saturated market has its share of customers.

While the connection between Sawgrass Bay and Flemings Road is delayed, the extension of New Independence Parkway to Lake County is being accelerated, offering direct access to Hamlin from Route 27. Additionally, construction on SR 516 has started which will connect 429 to 27, shortening the travel time further for more Lake County residents.

Bank of America will join Wells Fargo, McCoy Federal Credit Union, Chase Bank, Axiom Bank, Valley Bank, Truist, Regions Bank, and a future Vystar Credit Union under construction.

With construction plans still in the rough and details being ironed out, the community remains curious to see if this new entrant will truly score a hole-in-one or simply add another logo to an already bustling financial fairway.