AmTrust celebrates grand opening with prizes, donations and limited-offer CD rates

It’s not too late to win a car, a year’s worth of groceries or gas or a chance to have your yard landscaped.

Although AmTrust Bank’s official grand opening was between 10 a.m. and noon, complete with a ribbon-cutting ceremony by Mayor Anthony Smith, visiting corporate dignitaries and representatives of the Maricopa Chamber of Commerce, the new branch will accept entry forms for its Dream Green Sweepstakes through the end of business Wednesday.

To enter, one need simply stop by AmTrust Bank at 20750 N. John Wayne Parkway, request an entry form, fill it out and drop it in the box.

Don’t hold your breath, however, waiting to hear by tonight whether you’ve won.

The drawing will be held near the end of July, offsite under supervised conditions to ensure impartiality, said branch sales manager David Rosenau.

“We’re giving away a car,” Rosenau said, stressing the high-dollar value of its free give-aways.

The Maricopa branch opened quietly June 2. Since then, its taken in 4,000 entries from those who hope to win (see “AmTrust Bank opens first accounts in Maricopa”).

In keeping with its green theme, the vehicle in question is a 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid, the groceries will come from Whole Foods and the landscaping package will be done with water conservation in mind.

Those who attended the event earlier today were also treated to gift bags that were green inside and out.

The goodies included a sheet with tips to help residents go green, a reusable water bottle in addition to a pre-filled one to sip on site, an energy-saver, mini-spiral CFL light bulb, and a key chain and pen with bank logos, perhaps added just for fun.

In addition, the cloth tote bag is reusable, suitable for a variety of uses from carrying items to and from the pool to carrying home at least of few of the free groceries one of the winners will soon enjoy.

Local families who otherwise might go hungry will also benefit without needing to sign up, thanks to a $1,000 donation from AmTrust to F.O.R. Maricopa, the community food bank. The organization feeds 30 to 50 families per week.

Not everyone who showed up on Wednesday, however, was in it for the food.

Don Rietz, a local real estate agent who said he specializes in selling empty lots who attended the grand opening, said he has his eye on winning the car – for his wife.

“I’m driving a big, gas-guzzling truck, but for my wife, I’d like to get a new car for her,” he said. “She deserves it after 25 years.”

It hasn’t actually been that long since she’s had a new car, however, Rietz clarified. He bought her one of those in 2002. A quarter-century is just how long she’s had to put up with him, he said with a grin.

Rietz, a long-time customer of a local credit union, said he’s undecided about whether he’ll open an account with AmTrust. It’s better than he can say for at least one other local bank branch, where he said he was treated so rudely that he’ll never return.

But the folks at AmTrust seem to be just that, friendly people without the typical corporate chill.

That, along with a bit of “neat” technology used to grant access to safe deposit boxes that might seem like it comes straight out of a spy movie, might be enough to push him over the fence.

“You punch in a code, it takes your hand print and then it opens the door,” he said.

“I’m infatuated with it,” Rietz said. “Besides, my metal box at home might melt in a fire.”

For those more interested in a grand opening deal on financial products, AmTrust is offering a CD account with 4.00 percent APY for an 18-month CD, with a minimum balance of $1,000.

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