Regions Bank officials this week notified customers that the Downtown branch will close at 2 p.m. Dec. 9 as part of a merger with the South Canton location on Marietta Highway.

"We are continually evaluating our banking network to be sure we invest our resources where customers use them the most," Regions area president Bill Linginfelter wrote in an Aug. 29 letter to clients. "As part of this effort, we have decided to combine the Downtown Canton Branch with our South Canton Branch."

Customers have until Dec. 2 to remove belongings from rented safe deposit boxes and transfer the contents to new boxes at other Regions locations.

After that date, Regions Bank will terminate the box lease, drill open the lock and send everything inside to Regions Bank, Lower Lobby, 1900 5th Ave. North, Birmingham, AL 35203.

"We apologize for any inconvenience this transfer may cause and would like to offer you one year free rental on your safe deposit box," Liginfelter wrote. "Safe deposit boxes are available in limited quantities at the South Canton branch and will be rented on a first-come, first-served basis."

Customers are free to begin banking at 2653 Marietta Hwy. before Dec. 9, he said.

Canton also has a branch in the Riverstone area.