RBC Open New Branch In Thunder Bay
by Scott A. Sumner
www.thunderbaybusiness.ca
The corner of Memorial and John Streets in Thunder Bay looks a lot different these days with the addition of a brand new RBC Branch and a modern new Shoppers Drug Mart. The new RBC branch replaces a long time branch on the same location as well as a Red River Road branch.
“ We are very excited about the new branch. This old structure here was 2900 sq feet and now at 6000 square feet we built this branch for growth. We really liked this corner but had a the small deteriating branch on the corner and another branch on Red River Road. We owned the property here and had a opportunity with the Millenium Group of Toronto, who wanted to bring in a brand new Shoppers Drug Mart, so we had the chance to do this new development with a 17,000 sq ft Shoppers and a brand new RBC branch for the community. It really
responds to some of our customer concerns at the Red River location with parking and hours. Now we have a world of parking and the space for a larger branch.” said Murray Walberg, Regional Vice President for RBC Royal Bank.” We had good feed back on the construction of the branch and were very consistent on having a local contractor doing the work. We were really happy to have Tom Jones doing their excellent work on our new branch.”
The region covered by Walberg and his team is from Sault Ste Marie to the Manitoba border with 19 branches. They also have a business banking team and wealth management team. This is probably largest geographic area for the RBC in one area in Canada. There are approximately 300 employees working at RBC in this area.
“ This is the most modern RBC branch in Canada at this time with more branches opening across Canada monthly. I think what makes it better for our customers is offering the extended hours from a 5 day branch to a 6 day branch. We are now open Thursday evening, and Saturdays with earlier hours each day as well. We survey our customers regularly and hours of operation was a common theme,” said Shelley Gosselin, Branch Manager and with RBC for 23 years. “ We got some cost saving energy efficiencies here as well in the new building. The larger space meant we are able to provide more professional services like having a financial planner on site full time and retirement planners and mortgage specialists that are mobile and work out of this branch. We also have a full service business wicket dedicated to our business
clients which is nice. There are a lot of small business clients in the area. We are really excited to be able to add the services.”
RBC will have extended hours across the city that will standardize beginning in July. They have 7 branches in Thunder Bay including Westfort and Current River where RBC is the only bank there. These are very distinct communities we fully support according to Walberg.
“ The branch was over a $2 million investment in the community so we were proud to do that. RBC is doing well in the Thunder Bay region. We have been hit pretty hard economically here in the past several years but I do think we are starting to turn the corner with the
hospital, research centre and a lot of good small businesses are starting to pop up. It has been a slow growth region but from our perspective we keep growing so we must be doing something right,” said Walberg. “ The number one reason we have done well is our team. They are a very dedicated group of service professionals whether you are on the front line serving the customer at the branch or in other areas of the bank . Our customers tell us they come to RBC because of the warm welcome we give them, the great advice and products we offer and that is why we continue to invest and grow here.”
Murray Walberg has worked for RBC for 21 years and was born and raised in Thunder Bay. He had moved away for awhile but has now been in Thunder Bay for the past 4 1/2 years. “ I enjoy the opportunity to get involved in the community. At the recent Cavendish Cup we had over 30 staff volunteering at the event,” said Walberg. “ I love Thunder By. We have a camp here and always came back in the summers. My wife’s and my family are here and we love the lifestyle. You can’t beat Thunder Bay.”
