[RockyMountainMan]

Big shout out to all you Villagers out there!

Was cruising on 466A today and I noticed the construction at Pinellas Plaza next to the Marathon gas station. I wondered for months what it could possibly be...a new restaurant that is open passed 9PM...maybe one that serves breakfast?

Maybe a gift store or a bike shop or a beach wear store????

Then, as I read the sign for the new building I was elated!!! A BANK!

What a surprise!! Then my elation turned to dismay as I saw it was a Chase Bank. I was hoping for a U.S. Bank or a Sun Trust or PNC Bank or maybe all three. After all that shopping plaza was in need of more banks.

The only banks there now are Wells Fargo, Citizens First, First Community, Bank of America, Community First and now Chase.

I'm optimistic though. I noticed plenty of land around that area. With any luck they might consider building the three banks I mentioned above and still have room for a Fifth Third Bank, a Heritage Bank and maybe even throw in two or three credit unions to boot!

Keep your fingers crossed...I know I am!

[tomjbud]

Why does anyone need to go to a bank building anymore? With ATMs, automatic deposit and online banking it is very rare for me to go into a physical bank building. However, sometimes I do feel the need to go to Citizen's First for the popcorn!

[Halibut]

Why does anyone need to go to a bank building anymore? With ATMs, automatic deposit and online banking it is very rare for me to go into a physical bank building. However, sometimes I do feel the need to go to Citizen's First for the popcorn!

I got nothing against more banks being here and am wholly unfamiliar with the banking industry, but would think they'd be reducing branches as a cost-saving measure, not adding more. Perhaps a former banker could enlighten us? It has to be profitable for them in some way or they wouldn't be doing it. I suppose mortgages and other financial services could account for the need.

Remember all those former Friday afternoons spent scrambling to leave work in time before the bank closed, then waiting in long lines to deposit your danged check? Glad those days are gone.

Pew Research says 51% of adults in the U.S. bank online. 35% of cell phone owners bank using their phones. It doesn't say they're exclusively online, though.

[Kirsten Lee]

As a current banker, I can tell you that more and more banking is done online or now on phone by younger consumers. The reason branches are still being built near TV is the demographics. There are still many older customers who do not like or trust technology with their money. Also, sad to say we see many older customers who are lonely and will spend a lot of time at the new accounts representatives' desk just to renew a certificate of deposit. They come into the bank for social interaction and we serve coffee and cookies.

[dbussone]

Originally Posted by Kirsten Lee

As a current banker, I can tell you that more and more banking is done online or now on phone by younger consumers. The reason branches are still being built near TV is the demographics. There are still many older customers who do not like or trust technology with their money. Also, sad to say we see many older customers who are lonely and will spend a lot of time at the new accounts representatives' desk just to renew a certificate of deposit. They come into the bank for social interaction and we serve coffee and cookies.

And thank you so much for being so nice to all of us. Over the last 5 years I've gone from doing all banking on-line to about 50% on-line. It's nice to see a real person with a smile.

[alanmcdonald]

Once Chase opens in Pinellas all of my banks will be there.

I have enough complicated transactions that I can't handle online so having them all in one place is great.

I do agree we need a fast food place open early and late in Pinellas Place. There are still some lots, so we can keep hoping.

[villagetinker]

It gets better, Wells Fargo shut down the Wildwood office with a note that the Pinellas branch was open, not even close, and to add insult to injury, the office on 466 was closed today also!!!! So much for banking in person.

[wazoga]

Originally Posted by tomjbud

Why does anyone need to go to a bank building anymore? With ATMs, automatic deposit and online banking it is very rare for me to go into a physical bank building. However, sometimes I do feel the need to go to Citizen's First for the popcorn!

why do we need another chase bank branch? There is only one chase branch in the villages up on 466, for people in the southern part of the villages, i.e. Brownwood area, it is quite a hike to 466 just to make a deposit. I get an insurance check each month and the insurance company will not do direct deposit, there are chase ATM machines at Wallgreens but they only dispense cash and do not accept deposits. also there is a limit on how big a photo deposit they allow.

So people please stop complaing that the some people want more the one chase branch in a 20 mile area.

[wazoga]

Originally Posted by tomjbud

Why does anyone need to go to a bank building anymore? With ATMs, automatic deposit and online banking it is very rare for me to go into a physical bank building. However, sometimes I do feel the need to go to Citizen's First for the popcorn!

why do we need another chase bank branch? There is only one chase branch in the villages up on 466, for people in the southern part of the villages, i.e. Brownwood area, it is quite a hike to 466 just to make a deposit. I get an insurance check each month and the insurance company will not do direct deposit, there are chase ATM machines at Wallgreens but they only dispense cash and do not accept deposits. also there is a limit on how big a photo deposit they allow.

So people please stop complaing that the some people want more the one chase branch in a 20 mile area.

[RockyMountainMan]

Originally Posted by Kirsten Lee

As a current banker, I can tell you that more and more banking is done online or now on phone by younger consumers. The reason branches are still being built near TV is the demographics. There are still many older customers who do not like or trust technology with their money. Also, sad to say we see many older customers who are lonely and will spend a lot of time at the new accounts representatives' desk just to renew a certificate of deposit. They come into the bank for social interaction and we serve coffee and cookies.

Thanks for the insight, but it is impossible for me to wrap my mind around the fact that there are 6, count them, 6 major banks on one corner!!

Help me to understand why lonely, older people have to go to a bank to have social interaction...coffee and cookies?...in The Villages?

Let's see... there are over 2000 clubs, countless rec. centers and so many activities I can't even think of them all and some people have to go to a bank for social interaction?

And not one bank, but six...on one corner? That's a lot of coffee and cookies!

I guess that's why I titled this thread: "The death of common sense."

I think I may be losing it!!! What's next? Do I go to a bakery for a loan?

[RockyMountainMan]

Originally Posted by alanmcdonald

Once Chase opens in Pinellas all of my banks will be there.

I have enough complicated transactions that I can't handle online so having them all in one place is great.

I do agree we need a fast food place open early and late in Pinellas Place. There are still some lots, so we can keep hoping.

God Bless you Sir! I don't know what complicated transactions you need 6 banks for, but, you sir, ARE truly blessed!

[Packer Fan]

I am happy about it. I use Chase Bank - and now it will be easier for my property Manager to deposit Rent Checks! I will also be able to get cash when I am there without an ATM fee. Seriously, I even deposit checks with my phone, not sure why we need so many buildings either.

[MikeV]

I also welcome the new Chase location.

[tomjbud]

Why are all the bank branches being built? It is not to make it more convenient for the property manager, or to offer coffee, cookies, or social interaction with bank employees. In reality, there is only one reason they are being built. The Villages has a large retired population, many of whom are sitting on a lot of cash. These banks would love to lure you in so they can give you 1% return on a CD or entice you to purchase an investment account with large fees attached. They wouldn't be built if they didn't think they could make a profit.

[RockyMountainMan]

I absolutely agree with you. They are certainly betting on the come line, so to speak, in gambling terms.

What I can't understand is the population of retirees in the baby boom age group are very computer savvy and well aware of lousy CD rates for retirement income. I think they are making a big mistake.

I only hope they built those buildings with kitchens in the back. When they all go out of business, just think of the great restaurants we could have... maybe one that serves breakfast and maybe one that stays open after 9PM.