NEW BEDFORD – Bristol County Savings Bank is moving fast.

Less than two months after breaking ground on its 11th branch – and the first in New Bedford – workers recently topped off the 3,500 square-foot building. The bank at Ashley Boulevard is on schedule to open in mid-2010.

The new branch will feature a modern, wood-clapboard exterior, two drive-through lanes, a drive-through ATM, a café, a coin machine and an exterior standing clock. Inside, there will be a vaulted ceiling in the main lobby featuring skylights.

More than 200 construction workers will be hired during the project. When the branch is complete, Bristol County Savings will hire eight permanent bank employees.

The building, designed by DRL Associates of Weymouth, Mass., will also feature photovoltaic panels on the south side of the exterior and a high efficiency heating and air conditioning system to conserve energy.

Bristol County Savings Bank is a full-service financial institution founded in 1846. It has $1.2 billion in assets and 300 employees, serving Rhode Island and Bristol County, Mass., from 10 branch offices, two educational branch offices, five lending centers and its headquarters on Broadway in Taunton. Additional information is available at visit www.bristolcountysavings.com.