The way things are going in Yorkton, Bob Maloney may well be considering a title change from Mayor to Chief Ribbon Cutter.
On October 22, it was Canadian Western Bank's (CWB) turn to officially open its new full-service location on Hamilton Road.
"The City thanks Canadian Western Bank for investing in the community," Maloney said in his opening remarks.
Also on-hand for the ribbon cutting was Chris Fowler, CWB president and CEO. He said the opening of the new branch is very significant to the company.
"It's huge, because really, the engine of the bank is the branches," he said. "That's where we meet the clients and our goal is to understand our clients well and provide services to them that we offer within our group of companies so the branch is really the focal point for that."
Kelly Price, assistant vice president and Yorkton branch manager said the CWB commitment to clients was part of the reason he got back into banking after leaving a 34-year career in the industry to look for something different. He said being a western Canadian-based bank, CWB really understands the West and are doing banking differently.
A big impetus for the new branch was to provide commercial lending. Price is tasked with building that side of the business.
"We're very fortunate to source him," Fowler said. "He's from Yorkton, he knows the people and that's the key in every branch that we have, is to really be embedded in the community."
He also praised the long-term staff, all whom have been with the branch since before CWB acquired it in 1993 from Northwest Trust.
"As we look at the opportunity here, we've got this fantastic core with Barb [Apps], Heather [Sahulka] and Jodi [Dull]," Fowler said. "We're very happy with that."
Price was very pleased to have Fowler there for the grand opening.
"I don't think it's very often that a president of a major bank comes to Yorkton, so for him to take the time out of his schedule, which I know is very busy, to come and help us celebrate our opening here, it really means a lot," he said. "And I guess it's another indication of the commitment Canadian Western Bank has to Yorkton, which is very important to me."
