Bank opens new building,
offers expanded services

(December 2001) After eight years of planning, Harbour Island's Bank of Canada moved this week from its longtime site on Murray Street to a large, lovely, new building on Dunmore Street near the Library.

Four wickets, no waiting

The new structure, built by Warren Grant Construction, is spacious, modern, airy, and VERY WELL AIR CONDITIONED. It offers four wickets, instead of the previous two, which means the line should move faster. But even more important are two facilities new to Harbour Island: an ATM (automated teller machine) and a night deposit.

Full-service ATM

The full-service ATM will allow customers not only to withdraw cash, but also to make deposits, check their balances, and pay their visa and cable bills. It is available 24 hours, and friendly demonstrations are available for how to use it. Persons who don't have accounts can use their Master Card or Visa credit cards to withdraw cash. But visitors should be advised they will receive Bahamian dollars. Be sure to retain enough of your native currency for incidental expenses on your journey home. Debit cards can also be used if they have a Maestro or Cirrus emblem on the back.

Night deposit

The other feature expected to speed things up is the night deposit. It will permit businesses to deposit cash and credit receipts at the end of the day, and this should relieve a lot of the pressure on the line inside. And just in case things are occasionally slow, there's still a complementary coffee service for customers.

All this and a parking lot

The bank also offers what may be Harbour Island's first off-street parking. Customers are encouraged to use the lot alongside the bank to prevent congestion in the street.

Branch Manager Keith Wells says he is extremely pleased with how things went in the first week of operation, and customers seemed pleased too. Asked about the service in an exit interview, Bahama House owner John Hersch said, "Wonderful, pleasant, quick, better."

Hours are the same, 9:30-3:00 Monday - Thursday and 9:30- 5:00 on Friday. Phone numbers are also unchanged: 333-2230 and fax 333-2280.

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