By Rasbert Turner, Gleaner WriterSPANISH TOWN, St. Catherine:
ABOUT 300 customers demonstrated in front of the St. Andrew Integrated People's Co-operative Bank (formerly the Glengoffe People's Co-operative Bank), St. Catherine on Wednesday, protesting against the relocation announced on July 15.
The bank is scheduled to be relocated on August 31, 2003 when it will reopen in Stony Hill, St. Andrew, over 22 miles away.
When The Gleaner visited the area the crowd had dispersed after the peaceful demonstration that lasted for about four hours. But, according to one disgruntled resident, Lorna Brydson, "We can't allow them to remove the little convenience that we have at the bank. We have Bill Express and Western Union and we will have to pay $200 to travel to deal with wi little business.
Carol Mitchell, branch manager of the bank, said the relocation of the bank became necessary since, "It's not financially strong enough to take care of its staff salaries."
She said that, as a result of the non-payment of loans, there are currently 217 loans totalling over $12 million and it was very difficult to collect the repayments.
Mrs. Mitchell said that a management team has been set up to look into the current impasse. "Things are not going well, hence there has been heavy withdrawal of funds, since the date of the announced relocation. The management will have to revisit the issue."
The Gleaner also learnt that the disgruntled citizens are asking for an audit to be done and results made known to them. They are contending that since the merging of the bank, in 1995, it has not been doing well.
