NO LOVE LOST FOR TODAY’S CLOSING OF NATIONAL BANK IN GRAVENHURST

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

GRAVENHURST — This afternoon’s 4 p.m. closure of the National Bank is no great loss here.

The property goes on the block tomorrow — after opening in 1996.

The building can now be put to better downtown commercial use — a daunting task no doubt for new economic development officer Amy Taylor tackle post haste.

Perhaps a return to its chicken restaurant or auto service station roots would be plausible option that would bring people back downtown again.

Or perhaps another pot shop or pizza joint.

The Town of Gravenhurst, which has its accounts with the bank has made arrangements with the Scotia Bank for residents to pay their taxes in person.

Otherwise they will keep their business with the National right now as it switching banks is exceedingly difficult.

The National’s demise after 26 years of alternative banking services is another casualty of the internet — a change that reflects its “clientele’s changing habits” — they claim.

Yes, a few employees will be out of work — though a company spokesperson in Montreal yesterday wouldn’t divulge the number when we asked.

Many present and past workers gathered July 20 — “on our own dime” they laughed — to say goodbye and to chew the fat about NBC.ca.

Tellers have long been in decline at banks and financial institutions, with unskilled workers burdened by inadequate training in competing with online services — which also are too often are woefully technically lacking without cause.

Customers were too frequently referred to regional offices in cities like again here in Barrie, where staff can’t compare with the personal touches local bank managers and associates could afford to give.

Anyway, overall, the National was never much of a financial player in Gravenhurst with three of the Big 5 Canadian banks holding most of the town’s business and personal cash and assets.

Not even dating back to 1996 when they bought the Municipal Savings and Loan Corporation, which pre-dated NBC at the same location.

And it was also never one of the community’s best corporate citizens or most benevolent supporters anyway in its attempts to improve its customer base.

So there’s probably no love lost here for the Quebec-based company that prefers to promote itself with tennis tournaments now. For them it might as well be game, set and match for rural customers here.

Gravenhurst’s downtown loses another business, which could open the door to another pot shop or pizza joint.

Branch closures are just the latest banking trend not only for the National.

Spokesperson Alex Guay said: “The bank decided to reposition its service offering in the Muskoka area following a significant drop in counter transactions at the branch. Year over year, counter transactions have decreased by around 20% whereas transactions using our online and mobile banking solutions are increasing significantly and represent nearly 80% of client transactions. This trend reflects our clientele’s changing habits.”

NBC closed its Bracebridge branch about five years ago and others have vacated small towns across Central Ontario in recent years as part of a mass consolidation.

Guay said an automated banking machine will remain on site for Gravenhurst customers to carry out their day-to-day transactions (withdrawals, deposits, bill payments).

He said “the building will be up for sale after Aug. 12.”

As well, a mobile team of mortgage development managers and commercial account managers will still be available to serve clients via remote appointments, and appointments in the client’s home or place of business.

He added in his email to MuskokaTODAY.com that “a written communication was sent to the clients of the Gravenhurst branch and an open house was held on April 28 to answer their questions and handle their concerns.”

The National Bank has roots in Canada dating back to 1859.

According to its website, as of April 30 it had $370 billion in assets (in 1996 those assets totalled $50 billion) and 28,000 employees — that is until today.

Gravenhurst clients are being referred to the nearest branch on Bayfield Street in Barrie, which Guay says will be redesigned to provide a new experience focused on client support and advisory services.

Flowers on the grave of another lost business opportunity as customer service came second to profits driven by lack of training and support.

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