The city’s newest financial institution has officially opened its doors.

North Bay’s 2nd Caisse Alliance is located at the Nipissing Plaza in West Ferris.

Norm St. Amour is the Caisse Alliance Regional Manager for Nipissing East.

He says they’ve already invested over $500,000 with rent payments, new furnishings and computer systems too.

St. Amour says they’re already seeing an uptick in people opening accounts since they unofficially opened a month ago.

“If you look around the area there are 4 seniors complexes within a couple of blocks. Those people want face to face banking. They want to talk to people, get their bank book updated and get some financial advice. It’s not on the internet or on your phone it’s face to face and that’s where we’re going to service the need,” he says.

He says in the first two weeks they almost doubled the number of new accounts compared to the other location on Cassells which is about 30 to 35 a month.

Officials say they have six employees and plan to add more as needed.

North Bay and District Chamber of Commerce President CEO Peter Chirico says this is a big investment for West Ferris.

“Their commitment proves they’re going to be here for a long time. It’s great for the community and it’s great for West Ferris,” Chirico says.

(photo by station staff)

Filed under: caisse-alliance, west-ferris