when the state legislature passed a law allowing savings banks to construct branches. Following this, in mid-1926, the bank decided to build a headquarters at One Hanson Place, near Downtown Brooklyn's transit hub. The 175 Broadway building was to be retained as a branch. A temporary branch at Flatbush and Atlantic Avenues opened in January 1927, and the permanent Hanson Place headquarters opened two years later on April 1, 1929. A life-insurance sales department opened at both of the Williamsburgh Savings Bank's branches in 1941. In 1948, the bank filed plans with the New York City Department of Buildings to build another branch at 2301 86th Street in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. In 1951, the bank filed plans for another branch on New Lots Avenue in New Lots, Brooklyn. The bank opened a branch at Walt Whitman Mall in Suffolk County, Long Island, in 1976. Republic National Bank acquired the Williamsburgh Savings Bank and its branches in 1986. Republic, in turn, merged with Manhattan Savings Bank three years later. Republic and its branches were then acquired by HSBC Bank USA in 1999. See also References Notes Citations Sources Defunct banks of the United States 1851 establishments in New York (state) 1986 disestablishments in New York (state)