Customers at Moose Jaw's new Bank of Montreal branch can sit down while taking out cash.
A drive-through automated banking machine, the first in Moose Jaw, is part of the new bank.
"They're very busy where we put them in," Helen Arnold, personal banking manager for southern Saskatchewan, said of the automated machines. "They are a demand from our customers."
The popularity of automated banking has ensured that all new branches will have the feature, she said.
Customers can withdraw and transfer funds from the 24-hour drive-through, but must use the inside ABM or a teller to make a deposit.
"It's easy to use. You have to drive close enough to reach the pin pad from your car."
Accessibility and convenience are built into the new location at 39 Manitoba St. E.
"Accessibility was absolutely why we moved," explained Arnold.
"Our old bank on High Street West was three storeys," she said. "Commercial banking was on the upper floor."
The Manitoba Street bank is wheelchair accessible. The old branch wasn't.
In the new bank, all services - commercial banking, financial planning, personal banking, investment broker - are on the main level.
"We had quite a few customers in on Monday. They commented on the space, the ample parking, and the wheelchair access," said Arnold.
The move during the weekend went pretty smoothly. "The safety deposit boxes are the only thing that aren't new (in the $1.4 million building)."
Staff levels will stay the same but the Nesbitt Burns investment adviser will be in Moose Jaw two days a week, instead of one day.
The commercial team will specialize in agriculture and business lending, she said.
A grand opening is planned on March 29.
Bank of Montreal is building a new branch in Prince Albert and built one in University Heights in Saskatoon last year.
"We have more new branches planned," said Arnold.
The bank has $36 billion assets and 35,000 employees.
Ron Walter can be reached at 691-1264.
New BMO, with drive-through teller, opens
New BMO, with drive-through teller, opens
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Published on
January 23, 2008
- Published on September 8, 2009
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Ron Walter
Customers at Moose Jaw's new Bank of Montreal branch can sit down while taking out cash.
A drive-through automated banking machine, the first in Moose Jaw, is part of the new bank.
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Comments
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- J
- - September 18, 2009 at 15:04:56
You complain about a drivethrough but I see none of you are bothered by computers (you're all using one) which took away jobs, and stops people in their tracks when they crash!!!! Think about it...there are more important things that have changed our lifestyles than a simple little drivethrough. You all complain about parking and plugging meters to go into the bank or wherever, and now one small thing to make things easier and more accessible to the public and you have issues. What next!!!!!!!
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- Jess
- - September 18, 2009 at 15:02:36
Just another reason for people to be lazy no more walking in the bank! Geez, what will they think of now?
Drive in georgrey stores, read off a list and the people in the store run and get it?
Hi, i'd liek cabbage, fires, turkey, winners..
Drive to the next door please, to pick up ur food -
- Puzzled at people's...
- - September 18, 2009 at 14:58:56
Sheesh talk about a BUNCH of Whiners! Do some of you folks need some cheese with that...? The way I see it... ScotiaBank is the ONLY Bank in town still located in a Heritage Building (and waasup wit dat ScotiaBank?)! Slammin' Banks seems to be a national passtime... but consider this: Take a look right now at the stability of our Canadian Banking System during this current Market upheaval, and then compare it to our nieghbours in the South! If you think our Banks make too much money, then why not buy into them and share the wealth - or shutup and just quit B*tch*n' about them! Moose Jaw should be happy when Corporate Canada spends money here and adds to the local economy by providing good quality jobs and services... what... do ya want to drive to Regina to do your Banking?!? Quit being a Bunch of Backyard Cheeseballs and celebrate a good thing for once!
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- Priapus
- - September 18, 2009 at 14:57:36
hey Dave... are you turning the car off at red lights? busy 4 way stops? both can easily leave you sitting for more than 10 seconds. Then again, turning the car off can leave you a sitting duck. Good luck getting the car started, in gear, and moving when you realize the guy behind you can't stop, or someone loses control and is sliding sideways through the intersection directly at you.
Instead of turning your car off, how about just walking where u want to go? that would save nicely on the wasted hyudrocarbons. Or are you too lazy to do more than turn a key? -
- dave
- - September 18, 2009 at 14:46:04
Just so you know, many jurisdictions are considering outlawing drivethrus because of the wasted hydrocarbons. I have no compliant about using them provided you turn the car off everytime you come to a stop for 10 seconds or more (how many of you do that?. Blaiming you children for your problems is just plain wrong. If you think that way, you shouldn't have had them.
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- Diana
- - September 18, 2009 at 14:45:24
This is for Dave from Moose Jaw. I am far from lazy. I am just a mother of a small child who runs on a schedule. So before you start throwing out empty comments I suggest you just stop and think about what you are saying.
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- Sam
- - September 18, 2009 at 14:43:27
Nice looking Heritage building they built there!!
I agree on the absurdness of the drive-thru bank.... -
- MJ
- - September 18, 2009 at 14:37:36
Another drive-through that encourages people to sit there with their vehicle idling polluting the atmosphere, wasting gas and contributing to global warming!! As if we don't have enough of this with all the Timmie's coffee shops and remote car starters? People need to turn their cars off, get off their duff's and walk into the building, enough with the air pollution and wasting resources that comes from an unhealthy life style and being lazy, already!!!
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- Dane
- - September 18, 2009 at 14:37:35
Obviously those of you making the negatvie comments about this drive through atm have no regard for how this will help quality of life for the disabled. Way to go friendly city!! Why don't you find something worth complaining about if you feel the need to shoot your mouth's off.
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- observer
- - September 18, 2009 at 14:33:21
All this whining and complaining is just a reflection of the state of affairs or mindset in Moose Jaw brought on by a number of factors. -The loss of jobs from the closure of a few businesses (Pork Plant, Raider Ind., etc.). -The lack of good paying jobs or more importantly the lack of incentives from City Council to attract said jobs or businesses. -The closure of schools. -The increasing lack of affordable housing. -The lack of movement on the Hospital Expansion and related services. -The great divide on the Mulitplex (build or not to build, let alone where to build). -The ever deteriorating city infrastructure. -The huge looming increase in property taxes. -The lack of transparency and democracy at City Council, let alone responsible and rational leadership.
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- Diana
- - September 18, 2009 at 14:27:07
Using a drive thru bank machine does not mean that we are lazy. Maybe we have children in the car that we do not want to take out their car seats for a $20 withdrawal. Maybe we do not want to bother to try and find a parking spot. As for Global warming. Why does everything have to turn into an environmental issue? I was born and raised in MJ and I love it, but one of the reasons why I moved away was because the town refused to evolve. What's next, grocery stores being open until 11pm? Alert the media!!!!
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- the truth
- - September 18, 2009 at 14:21:31
Ah yes leave it to the local paper to mess up a story A drive-through automated banking machine, the first in Moose Jaw
For those who remember there was a drive through atm across from the civic center. Was not there too long as no-one used it. So this would be the second drive through atm.
Well at least they had no spelling mistakes today!! -
- Frank
- - September 18, 2009 at 14:20:52
Absurdness of a drive thru bank??? People probably said the same thing when they went to Model Ts from there horses.LOL I love Moose Jaw for being a little behind the times. Ya gotta love this headline story.
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- rod
- - September 18, 2009 at 13:39:45
drive thru bank machines have been around since 1988 people as mj said yes people are lazy and they still havent designed a drive thru that you can reach without taking your seat belt off for so if you somehow jott forward and hit something or someone youll be charged with operating motor vehicle with out proper restraint great thinking went into this hey?my opinion is get off your rear its looking like a bus..walk its healthier...
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- Jeannie
- - September 18, 2009 at 13:33:52
If the drivethrough bothers you THAT much, then don't use it!!!!! Whine about something that is actually worth whining about!!!!
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- Elizabeth
- - September 18, 2009 at 13:22:35
Dane - Thank you for your comments and concern for the disabled. I know what used to take me 10 min. or more at the bank will now take only moments. This is also a real help in poor weather while trying to make my way into the bank from my van. For those concerned about the environment, I've used this service in other cities and rarely found a line-up. I'll turn my van off at the ATM for the minute or two it will take if it makes you all feel better.
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- Jack
- - September 18, 2009 at 13:19:34
You people realize you're hillbillies, right?
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- G
- - September 18, 2009 at 13:11:35
Now tell me why they would put in a drive through bank machine without the deposite feature included, makes no sense to me, we have had them in place here for years now!!!
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- J
- - September 18, 2009 at 13:04:16
Lazy?? For using a Drive through? You have got to be kidding me! I'd bet those complaining about this are the same ones that give dirty looks to harried mothers with their kids in the banking lines trying to keep them happy while the 10 people ahead are paying all their bills! Obviously you people dont have 2 or 3 young kids to take care of while you do your errands. I have yet to meet a lazy mother of small chilren, I dont even think its possible!
I guess the people that need canes or walkers to get around are lazy too because they dont want to park, unload themselves from their car and walk across icy sidewalks to get some money, Get a grip people! The drive through ATMs are in many cities and get used ALOT welcome to this century Moose Jaw! -
- Wally
- - September 18, 2009 at 13:04:03
Actually, what is absurd is people whining about a service that is now provided in most cities. It is also absurd that 2008 Moose Jaw should look like 1930 Moose Jaw.
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- dave
- - September 18, 2009 at 12:59:37
MJ, amen! Diana, all your excuses describe your laziness perfectly. Jack, hawup, yes.
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- g
- - September 18, 2009 at 12:55:52
I for one am glad to see it, and wish that is was in place when my kids were small. Those of you who think it is lazy have obviously not battled snowsuits and carseats, and 3 kids under 4.
I would caution you all to watch your money on a windy day, however, because once you're sitting there you can't open the door to retrieve anything you drop (or blows away). -
- dave
- - September 18, 2009 at 12:44:44
Priapus,
Perhaps you never read articles on energy conservation, but the pundits agree that it would not be prudent to turn your car off in traffic. Having said that, cars like the toyota prius and camry hybrid typically shut the gas engine off during stops. Yes, I'm a little lazy, and will even use a drivethru from time to time, but I'm also an anti idler, and will shut the car off while in line, even when its very cold or very hot. and no, I don't have a command start.
