"Huntington Bancshares Inc. is marking its 160th year by showing that traditional branch banking and digital growth can advance together, not at each other's expense. Founded in 1866, Huntington (No. 351 on the Fortune 500) operates more than 1000 branches nationwide and is leaning into expansion. CFO Zachary Wasserman described 2026 as a "major" strategic year, with a focus on integrating recent partnerships, keeping core businesses growing, and expanding in payments, wealth management, and capital markets."
""Our expectation is opening one branch almost every two weeks this year in North Carolina and South Carolina," Wasserman said. Huntington opened five branches across the two states in 2025 and plans roughly 24 more this year, putting it on track for about 55 locations by the end of 2027. Beyond physical expansion, the bank views each new branch as a talent opportunity. "We're putting a major organizational focus around this, and the results have been encouraging," Wasserman said."
"The bank now brings in more customers digitally than through branches-an approach Wasserman described as "very unusual" for an institution of its size. Most new relationships now begin online, even if customers later turn to branches for more complex needs. Crucially, the digital and physical footprints overlap. About 80% of new digital customers live within five miles of a Huntington branch, underscoring that local presence still matters even when accounts are opened online, Wasserman said."
Huntington Bancshares, founded in 1866 and No. 351 on the Fortune 500, operates more than 1,000 branches and is expanding its physical network. Management identified 2026 as a major strategic year focused on integrating partnerships, sustaining core business growth, and expanding payments, wealth management, and capital markets. The bank plans a Southeast build-out, opening about one branch every two weeks in North Carolina and South Carolina, aiming for roughly 55 locations by the end of 2027. Each new branch is treated as a talent and deposit-growth opportunity supported by heavy pre-launch marketing. New customer acquisition has become digital-first, with most new relationships beginning online and 80% of digital customers living within five miles of a branch.
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