Bahamas News
LEAKED, CONFIRMED: Bahamas & TCI CIBC FirstCaribbean branches eliminating in-bank services; “No Longer Necessary”
By Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
December 2, 2022 – In about a month CIBC FirstCaribbean customers will find their banking services significantly altered as the company moves towards a more streamlined digital experience. The bank confirmed to Magnetic Media is a statement on Thursday that the contents of a leaked internal memo circulating on social media were true.
The memo claimed that come January 3rd, 2023 branches in The Bahamas and TCI would no longer process over-the-counter transactions which can be performed via digital banking channels including Instant Teller/Smart ABM, Night Depository, Online Banking and their Mobile App. The maneuver by CIBC FirstCaribbean eliminates twelve essential services from the over the counter cache of services; the reason cited as ‘simply no longer necessary’ to come in bank for them.
The decision results in the island of Grand Turk being completely without any banks offering over the counter transactions or business; ScotiaBank, in a move to “consolidate” its services in the TCI, shut its banks in Grand Turk and Grace Bay in summer 2018.
Now, CIBC FirstCaribbean informs thousands of clients that they will no longer enter the bank for: Cash and cheque deposits; cheque cashing; corporate and small business deposits; withdrawals under the daily ABM Limit; credit
The memo raised concern for residents about the elderly and less tech savvy as well as potential layoffs at the bank. CIBC gave no indication it was closing down, only confirming the switch up, which they say they had been preparing for since the height of the pandemic, in an effort to free up frontline teams and likely reduce the often extremely long queues.
Lines the Turks and Caicos became atrocious during the Covid-19 pandemic with customers queuing in the hot sun and at times putting each other at risk for infection as they waited for service. It also left customers exposed to crime.
Other banks in the country and across the Caribbean Including RBC have taken this sort of approach before resulting in shorter wait times and more convenience as customers do business at their leisure.
It is still growing on many people however, as banking becomes increasingly impersonal.
Addressing the leak as “unfortunate” CIBC said there would be on hand support to ease customers into the new experience.
“We encourage our clients who need additional support to perform transactions on our digital platforms, to reach out to our branch teams, who are there to provide that assistance. Our Digital Banking Officers will be on hand to show clients how to use the ABM to make deposits, transfers or to get cash during the transition. Additionally, our website cibcfcib.com has video tutorials to walk clients through the processes.”
The bank says since the advent of its online banking, significantly less customers are coming in person to make payments anyway.