First National Bank's High Street building is closed for six weeks for renovations and customers are temporarily using two mobile banks, in West Street.
First National Bank's High Street building is closed for six weeks for renovations and customers are temporarily using two mobile banks, in West Street.
The prefab buildings could not be placed in the bank's parking, for fear of blocking vehicles from accessing Coles Lane. According to Mark Harnwell, the bank's Grahamstown branch manager, the mobile banks were both fully equipped, with three consultants and two tellers in each.
First National Bank clients have mixed feelings about the renovations of the High Street branch. While some clients, like Mthobi Tana, said they thought it was "okay", others said the renovations were disruptive. Other clients said they didn’t like standing in the heat – they were used to doing their banking in an air-conditioned building.
Martina Becka found it very interesting that one had to sit outside and said she preferred the High Street branch, because it was much busier. Belinda Trimalley and Nozukile Stofile said they did not like having to do their banking in West Street, because it used a lot of their lunch break.
Eric Silange said West Street was to far. But several customers said they appreciated the service the FNB staff were trying to provide, despite these conditions. Oli Patten said, “I definitely appreciate the service, because they aren't just closing the bank, they're providing an alternative.”
The bank was renovated in 2003, but there is a designed model for most of FNB’s larger banks to have a similar feel when customers step into them. Harnwell referred to this as a “touch and feel” environment. He said the renovations were intended to bring about the same comfortable environment when one stepped into any of the bank's branches. He refused to disclose the cost of the current renovations, nor that of the previous one. The renovations also mean longer working hours for staff.
The bank will open from 8am to 5pm, instead of the traditional 9am to 3.30pm, and this would give clients much more time to do their banking. Extended hours would improve customer service, said Harnwell. On whether he thought his clients were irritated by the current developments, he said: “Without a doubt, people don’t like change. It’s an inconvenience." He said, however, that the bank had to change in order to adapt to life challenges and technological changes.
