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CHICAGO-Two banks are continuing a retail trend, opening new branches in the city and the suburbs. Thousand Oaks, CA-based Countrywide Financial, a relative newcomer, is opening three branches while National City Bank is adding two more locations.

Countrywide, which has been in the market for a year, is increasing its branches to 10 with locations in the city's Lincoln Park neighborhood as well as north suburban Highland Park and southwest suburban Oak Lawn. National City Bank is opening locations in the city's Lawndale neighborhood as well as southwest suburban Frankfort.

National City Bank has opened more than 30 branches since 2003, leasing space as well as building branches. HSA Commercial Real Estate senior vice president Michael Havdala and vice president Shannon Pope have represented Cleveland-based National City Corp. in those deals, including a 3,555-sf lease with Lawndale Plaza LLC for space at its retail center at Roosevelt Road and Homan Avenue as well as a purchase of 1.13 acres at Route 45 and St. Francis.

The Countrywide banks are combined with loan operations. The bank is leasing 2,700 sf at 1117 W. Wisconsin St., 3,100 sf at 1910 First St. in Highland Park and 3,600 sf at 5114 W. 95th St. in Oak Lawn.

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Countrywide, National City Continue Expansions

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