Empire State Bank to open new Staten Island branch Updated Feb 03, 2021; Facebook Share STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Empire State Bank will open and operate a new branch office in one of Staten Island’s newest office buildings, Corporate Commons Three in Bloomfield. Empire State Bank expects to open the new South Avenue Branch for retail operations before spring, said Linda A. Lacewell, superintendent of the state Department of Financial Services (DFS). “Empire State Bank’s approval reaffirms DFS’s commitment to expanding banking services to every person in New York State,” said Lacewell. “Not only will the people of Staten Island have more banking options, but also the opportunity for the community to access financial services and products to grow and prosper financially.”