Queens Welcomes Maspeth Federal’s New Astoria Location
MOHAMED FARGHALY
mfarghaly@queensledger.com
Maspeth Federal Savings celebrated the grand opening of its newest branch in Astoria on Oct. 15, marking the bank’s first new location in more than two decades and reinforcing its long-standing commitment to serving local families and businesses.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony, attended by community members and press, kicked off a week of festivities designed to engage the neighborhood. Guests enjoyed interactive entertainment, a donut wall, coffee and refreshments, visits from Mr. and Mrs. Met, and other Mets royalty, alongside a newly unveiled mural by Queens-based artist Zeehan Wazed.
“This is the opening of our Astoria branch, the first Maspeth Federal branch in 25 years. We’re very excited to be partnering with the Astoria community,” said Thomas Rudzewick, president and CEO of Maspeth Federal Savings. “The Astoria area has been part of Maspeth Federal for a long time. We hold a lot of mortgages here, and we thought it was time to open a branch and let people join us as members. As a mutual institution, we are owned by our depositors, and this is a great chance for them to take advantage of some of the great rates we’ll have in Queens.”
The mural, painted by Wazed, highlights the vibrancy and creativity of the Astoria community. “I’ve always prioritized creating public art in Queens,” Wazed said. “Growing up here, there was a bit of a dearth of public art, so I’ve made it my prerogative to beautify the borough. The process was seamless — the bank had a clear vision, and it was rewarding to include Astoria Park and local festivities in the mural. It took about two to three weeks, and my assistant Fernando helped a lot.”
The opening drew praise from local leaders for the bank’s longstanding generosity. Tom Grech, president of the Queens Chamber of Commerce, noted Maspeth Federal’s extensive community contributions, including paying off the mortgage of a fallen NYPD detective and supporting his child’s education. “Maspeth Federal has been beyond generous. Their dedication to the community is bar none,” Grech said. “I know Astoria will welcome them as another key part of the local financial scene.”
In addition to celebrations, the branch is offering exclusive welcome CD rates and product offers for 60 days following the opening, underscoring the bank’s commitment to residents and small businesses in the area.
