AUTOMATIC BANKING MACHINE FOR CIBC
On 18th December CIBC Bahamas, Marsh Harbour Branch, became the first bank in The Bahamas outside of New Providence and Grand Bahama to have an Automatic Banking Machine.
Branch Manager Derek Benjamin introduced Mr Terry Hilts, Managing Director CIBC Bahamas Ltd, who spoke on the innovative measures CIBC Bahamas had initiated over the years. CIBC Bahamas was, for instance, the first Bahamian owned bank to make an acquisition outside The Bahamas - in Turks and Caicos. He said the bank was responding to customers' needs and soon individuals will be able to buy products and services and make banking transactions on their computers using Smart Cards. The Marsh Harbour ABM was only the first of many new services the branch would soon experiencing.
Mr Benjamin added that CIBC Bahamas had instigated the first Commercial Banking Centre and Small Business Management assistance in The Bahamas.
Selected to be the first person to operate the new Automatic Banking machine was, appropriately, the grandson of the branch's first customer. Van Stratton, Marsh Harbour businessman and insurance agent, cut a ribbon to officially open the service and then inserted his card to gain access to a small room where he could conduct his business in private. Moments later he emerged waving a $20 bill that he promised to frame.