PORTLAND - TD Banknorth is adopting a new name, one that supplants its Maine-based roots in favor of its more widely known New Jersey branches.

TD Banknorth will change its name to TD Commerce Bank, following final regulatory approval of TD's acquisition of Commerce Bank. The Cherry Hill, N.J.-based bank was bought by TD Bank Financial Group in November for $8.5 billion.

"The branding team did a thorough analysis," said Jennifer Carlson, public affairs officer. "While we do recognize that New England customers are familiar with the Banknorth name, now there will be branches from Maine to Florida. By combining TD with Commerce, we're taking the best of both worlds."

The new name should begin appearing locally in signs and elsewhere by early 2009. That includes the TD Banknorth operations center in Lewiston, which employs more than 700 people.

At the time of the sale, TD Banknorth President Bharat Masrani said the two banks would likely merge their back-office operations within a year. Carlson said there has been no decision as yet on that consolidation.

But the two banks are blending in other ways. TD Banknorth branches will begin extending operating hours, a nod to Commerce's seven-day-a-week service. But whether it goes as far as Commerce is up in the air.

"But we are committed to staying open longer than anybody else in the region," Carlson said.

TD Banknorth branches will also offer some of Commerce's customer friendly services such as its Penny Arcade (free coin counting machine) and in-branch treats for children and dogs.

To celebrate the new name, customers can permanently use the bank's 2,700 American ATMs without incurring fees starting April 10. The same no-fee feature extends to 2,500 ATMs in Canada- where the bank's parent company is based - as well.

Along with the name change will be a new tag line: America's Most Convenient Bank, which had been Commerce's tag line. Other New Jersey-based influences are also apparent. In the news release announcing the new name, bank branches are referred to as stores, another innovation from Commerce, which built its business on a retailing model.

"Customer service is still the priority," said Carlson of the name change. "Customers will see the same people and products that they have been dealing with as TD Banknorth."

There also has been no decision on where the bank will be headquartered. Commerce, which had $48 billion in assets at the time of the sale and 460 branches, is based in Cherry Hill. TD Banknorth, with $40 billion in assets and 600 branches, is based in Portland.

"At this time, all I can say is there will an executive presence in both markets," Carlson said.

The bank is also unsure what it will do with the name of TD Banknorth Garden in Boston.

The acquisition is expected to receive its final regulatory approval in about two weeks.