The eesieo Sun Wednesday, June 12,1981 IBC Castlegar a Invites You To Celebrate Our GRAND OPENING June 10 - 15 e& Be sure to drop by Saturday, June 15 11:00 am. - 3:00 pm. for a tour of our new premises Ribbon cutting at 1:00 pm. Cake, Beverages and Bank on the CIBC Bigger branch prepales for the future » Sun See ae ' Chris Runion, CIBC Branch Manager since January 1990, is an things to get finished before the ank will be officially completo— specifically signs on the doors and the front banner—everything is a 490."" The Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce first appeared in down- town Castlegar in 1952, and was situated on the Ely’s Boutique site. There the bank remained for about twenty years, until a new branch was opened in the Caslteaird Plaza in the 70's, “We used to be open downtown from Monday to Friday in the beginning,” explains Runion. “When we opened the second branch we operated it on a Tuesday to Saturday schedule.” The d ion was closed in 1986, after about thirty- four years of serving the Castlegar residents, with the property being sold in 1987. Soon, automated teller service was the latest thing to hit banking, and keeping up with the times, CIBC installed an instant teller ser- vice in the plaza location, This SUN STAFF PHOTO / Marton Anderson: Faster, more efficient service is the goal of CIBC's Cus- tomer Service Representatives. Effective July 2, the new hours will be from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., except Wednesdays, which will be open from 10:30 am. to 5 p.m., to allow for further training. own cash to balance at the end of the day. That could sometimes account for longer delays if there was a problem, and it certainly meant the bank had to pay more “It's been this added system that is allowing for extended hours, a more streamlined service to cus- tomers and it simplifies the whole process” — Chris Runion mploy for longer hours of work. So it’s only logical to calcu- late that, eventually, customers had to pay more for service charges in order for the bank to keep up. With the new system, all the cash is in a central cash “bank,” which all the tellers draw from. Now, at the end of the day, there’s only one balance to attain. “It’s teen this added system that is allowing for extended hours, a more lined service to cus- brought the decision to cut the bank hours, which Runion admits didn’t please some of his customers. He’s hoping that the new hours will be more to Castlegar’s liking. But that’s not all that is chang- ing in the new branch. Probably the biggest functional change is the new cashier system. In the past, every teller had their tomers and it simplifies the whole process,” explains Runion. This is becoming the new wave Wednesday, June 12, 1991 The Castlegar Sun Page. 7Bi; See CIBC 7B ‘SUN STAFF PHOTO/ Brendan Halper CIBC's new home is definitely ‘eye catching’ at the corner of Columbia Ave. and 18th St. WALLY'S | ROOFING (1984) LTD. 472 ADAMS ROAD B.C. V1IV 1K9 KELOWNA, MARTECH ELECTRICAL ‘SYSTEMS Congratulations to the Canadian of Commerce on your ; GRAND yore $ , Continued from 6B in banking. “We are tho third branch in the Kootenays to install this system.” Z ‘There have been some extra little touches in the building itself, Every window na a handy little shelf ath it. “We thought that customers would appreciate a spot to put their bags if they've been shopping,” said Runion. “The shelves are even big enough to allow your child to sit with you while you're at the counter." The air-conditioning makes for ‘ more comfortable banking on hot days and the instant teller is still in place. Skylights have been installed and even the color scheme is an A new concept—sit-down bank- ing—has been implemented, “We're pleased to offer this ser- vice to our customers,” says Runion, “It's much friendlier and more com- been in the making for quite'a while, with a few things slowing the process down, least of which the non-union labor rumblings when the' construction was first beginning. “It's much friendlier and more comfortable for our customers to sit down and feel free to discuss their banking needs.” | '— Chris aaa fortable for our customers to sit down and feel free to discuss their banking needs. Lounge chairs will , being p for the « eyes, invite them to do just that.” “The plans for the new branch had “We weren't affected very much by the non-union issue,” explains Runion. ‘Actually, there was only. one afternoon that some people came and distributed flyers, but that ‘SUN STAFF PHOTO / Brondan Halper Natural light filters through the skylights in the main foyer. Some workers feel that this ‘all day natural light’ keeps them more aware of their surroundings and helps with over all moral. fas about all we heard." bank doesn't actually own “the new building. Gulf Pacific paid for the building, and the bank signs ‘id lease to use it. » «©The upper floor, although incomplete, is being considered for future use by the bank, but Runion », Bays that in the meantime another tennant could be placed there. Another problem that slowed things down was the question of tafety, The present building sits on the site of an old gas station. “There was some coricem about ‘gas seepage and safety. Our plans: wee delayed a little, | but once we were assured that everything was safe we rolled forward. The Grand Opening will take place from June 10 through to June... George “15: One of CIBC's early customers, Axthir Thomas will be on hand for the ribbon cutting ceremony at 1 p.m. / : “ Saturday, June 15 ceremonies will hegin:at 12 am., continuing... vari 3 ns. The pauls is invited Yorn 32 of the new bank, cake and beverages and other fun. CKQR will be on location dur-), ing the four-hour, celebration, and ‘ mystery guest, “Otto Teller” is coming, Among the dignitaries who willl be present are; City Alderman Kirk! Duff, Regional District Chairman Cady, CIBC District Manag-| ex Bob Sallis and Vice President for BIC, and the Yukon, Jack Quinn, <1! OF course, the celebration won't be.complete without residents from: Castlegar. * Refresbuncnts are being serve ’ Chris Runion, far right, and Holl “early CIBC customers, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Thomas. SUN STAFF PHOTO / Shareno Imhott ly Smith, second from right, are pleased to serve some AND OPENINGE JUNE 15th “Came Grout Wiel Ul GRE “The spacious main foyer gives the overall effect of being more comfortable. The light= ing of the lobby is from the huge skylights above. . ‘SUN STAFF PHOTO / Marion Anderson Come to CIBC's Grand Opening, _ Saturday, June 15, 11:00 am - 3:00 pm — We'll have cake, beverages, and lots of fun! PINERIDG PAVING ~ : : LTD.. Congratulations CHEC on your ‘GRAND OPENING 352-7333 Nelson 365-2544 Castlegar PAINTING & We are pleased " tobe. © “GENERAL CONTRACTOR - for the new ~ CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE NUSeoo fae ch eben LTD. | - DECORATING CO. LTD. Congratulations CIBC on your Grand Opening 365-3563 2649 - 4th Ave, Castlegar OPENING =e The staff 3 proud participant at in the construction Soe Oo of the The Castl Gar Sun AS _ CIBC. » wish: you ss ; all'the... 4700 Woodlarid Drive < Box 3403, Castlegar, B.C. best! wae “VIN SNB “ ‘Congratulations CIBC on your Grand Opening THE POWER BEHIND THE PROJECT Lots of Fun! Bus. 364-1541 + Fax 364-1699 COMMERCIAL — INDUSTRIAL West Kootenay - Mechanical Limited PLUMBING — HEATING — VENTILATION _ FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS ! ae * Old Waneta Road Across from Home Hardware Getus working for “you! -2240- 6th Ave. z CASTLEGAR’: “1080 Spokane St. (365-2175 ’ Castlegar 365-21 15 Nelson 352-5422 “ "Pax 365-2102 P.O. Box 225 ‘1 Trai, B.C. fy