TD Bank pulling up stakes

By Hedy Korbee

Many Birch Cliff residents reacted with upset and anger to the news that TD Canada Trust is closing its branch at Kingston Rd. and Warden Ave., moving their bank accounts to 673 Warden Ave., south of St. Clair.

TD Canada Trust is the only bank in Birch Cliff and has anchored the retail strip in the community for more than fifty years.

“As a third generation Birch Cliffer this is very, very upsetting to hear,” David Patterson said in a post on Facebook. “One of the last remaining Birch Cliff relics will be gone. I have banked here my entire life, even when I lived downtown in the Annex I still came to this location because of the great customer service and rapport that had been built over the years.”

Long-time customer Maria Acuna learned about the closure from Birch Cliff News as she left the bank on Wednesday.  “That’s crazy,” Acuna said. “It’s a big shock to me because I use this all the time.”

“That sucks,” TD customer Andrew Inglis said as he headed into the branch. “I started banking here when I was 10 years old. I’m 26 now. I live just around the corner so yeah, that sucks.”

Account holders were informed of the bank’s intent to close on Jan. 15, 2016 in a formal letter this week from TD Canada Trust that said the bank was moving to offer a “convenient and comfortable banking experience”.

“Why are we moving? Quite simply, we want to make sure that each branch is equipped to offer you a convenient and comfortable banking experience today, and well into the future. The new location will allow us to do just that, but of course, you can choose to bank at any branch of TD Canada Trust.”

Safety is an issue

In an email to Birch Cliff News Meghan Thomas, TD Canada Trust Manager of Corporate and Public Affairs conceded that the decision was  “difficult” and said it was made after a thorough business review.

“Our location on Warden Avenue is a newer, larger branch with more parking and a drive through ATM,” Thomas wrote.

Thomas also noted that the branch at 673 Warden is “conveniently located directly in front of a bus route”.

The new branch is also conveniently located directly in front of Cataraqui Crescent and Firvalley Court, and for many Birch Cliff residents this is a problem.

In the last several years the area has seen more than its share of violence including the following incidents:

• Feb. 2015 – double shooting
• Dec. 2014 – police gun down robbery suspect
• Oct. 2014 – gunshots fired into family home
• Oct. 2012 – man shot in the leg
• May 2012 – woman murdered
• Oct. 2010 – man shot in head
• June 2010 – two people shot while chatting on street

“I don’t feel safe,” said Samantha Paulin who will have to take the bus to the bank.  “It’s right across from the high rises, they’re not great places to be by and in order for me to get back home I have to go right in front of the building to stand at the bus stop.”

For Paulin, safety is a deal-breaker. She said she would like to stick with TD Canada Trust but if her safety is compromised she will go elsewhere.

What about seniors?

Other bank customers told Birch Cliff News they are worried about seniors who don’t bank online let alone use mobile apps, which are among the alternatives suggested by TD Canada Trust.

“It seems like the seniors are always the demographic that is left out and not thought of,” said long-time customer Maureen Rose Everatt.  “I realize it’s a business but it is good business if you have some sense of loyalty and sensitivity to people that have been supporting your business for over 20 years.”

Impact on revitalization?

The impact of the bank pulling up stakes on efforts to revitalize Kingston Road is very much dependent on what happens to the bank’s prime location in front of the new gateway signage.

Will the building remain vacant for many years like the old Loblaws store was before Dot Patio moved in, eventually making way for Dollarama?

TD Canada Trust did not respond to questions about plans the future of the location but some local residents are optimistic.

“Hopefully they do something nice with it like they did with the bank at the corner of Birchcliff and Kingston Road with the flower shop there,” Andrew Inglis said.

Ian Harvey, who has lived in Birch Cliff for 34 years remembers the upset when the CIBC left the village and says the closure of the TD Canada Trust branch could be a good thing.

“We went through this with CIBC 10 years ago and now we have a wonderful addition to the village, so there’s always a silver lining in these things,” Harvey said. “Maybe now we can get the group of property owners to seriously consider redeveloping the entire block with mixed retail, commercial and residential The density would be consistent and appropriate with the rest of Kingston Road and it may spur more development on the south side and in the approach to Warden on Kingston Rd. as it already happening.”