Banking choices abound

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 22/01/2018 (2999 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Within a 25-minute walk, or a few minutes by car, I can access seven banking establishments in my neighbourhood — Scotiabank, RBC, CIBC, BMO, TD Canada Trust, Crosstown Civic Credit Union, and Assiniboine Credit Union.

Recently I looked at their websites. Some were very detailed, others not so much. Most gave local branch information, such as hours and contacts, and then information on the bank or credit union offerings common to the financial institution as a whole.

I found it difficult to find an updated website for the local Scotiabank which recently moved from its cramped quarters in a strip mall on Killarney Avenue to a standalone facility across the street. As well as more space, customers now have ample parking, which is a huge bonus in my opinion.

A number of sites were easy to access and navigate and provided lots of advice. I found tips and hints on such matters as starting a family, budgeting, retirement, investing basics, purchasing major items, managing debt, estate planning, and education. I also found information for students and newcomers to Canada.

I was interested in the statements made by the two credit unions. Assiniboine Credit Union states “We never forget that our members are also the owners of Assiniboine Credit Union.” In addition, it says ACU is “dedicated to the triple bottom line of improving the lives of people, bettering the planet and creating prosperity.” Crosstown Civic Credit Union states it was “founded on the belief that everyone deserves fair and respectful treatment, access to high quality services and sound, unbiased advice.”

On many of the websites, languages spoken at the branch were listed. If you want assistance in a language other than English, CIBC offers Mandarin, Cantonese, Spanish, Japanese, and Hindi. At TD Canada Trust, you can be assisted in Cantonese, Mandarin, Hindi Gujarati and Punjabi. BMO offers Cantonese, Mandarin and Italian. RBC offers Filipino, Mandarin, and Cantonese.

Of interest to students and their families, all seven of these places have scholarships and in some cases bursaries that students can apply for. In addition, TD, for example, lists other places to access scholarships and bursaries.

So, if you have just moved into Fort Richmond or Richmond West you will certainly be able to find a bank within the few blocks between Bairdmore Boulevard (north) and Fort Richmond Square and Richmond West Plaza south on Pembina Highway.

Jeannette Timmerman is a community correspondent for Richmond West.