NEWPORT - U.S. Bank will merge its branch at Newport on the Levee into another one of its branches four blocks away early next year.

The branch consolidation will come after the U.S. Bank Imax Theatre on the Levee was shut down indefinitely in June.

The branch will be consolidated Jan. 2 into the U.S. Bank branch at Taylor's Landing at 810 Monmouth St. The bank's four employees at the Levee branch will move to the Taylor's Landing office. Three automated-teller machines will remain.

JoAnne Maly, spokeswoman for Newport on the Levee, said the U.S. Bank closing doesn't reflect badly on the riverfront development.

"We don't see it indicative as far as Newport on the Levee goes. The levee continues to draw a lot of traffic, a lot of satisfied patrons."

Jeff McKinney