Comerica Bank is planning to make a major withdrawal from Oxford Village and at least one customer is very upset.
‘What’s the matter? Aren’t they selling enough hotdogs (at Comerica Park)?? said Nikki Hanmore-Reynolds, longtime Comerica account holder and former Oxford resident.
Hanmore-Reynolds, who now lives in Brandon Township, received a Feb. 8 letter from Comerica informing her the Oxford branch located at 201 S. Washington St. (at the corner of Minnetonka) will be closing its doors at the end of business on Wednesday, May 14.
‘We are continually working to create a network of bank offices and services that most effectively serves all of our customers and that includes adjusting our banking center locations as living and traffic patterns change,? the letter stated.
‘This kind of stuff ticks me off,? Hanmore-Reynolds said. ‘I get a little tired of people just arbitrarily deciding these things.?
It’s nothing personal, according to Sara Snyder, vice president of corporate communications for Comerica.
‘It’s a business decision to balance our expenses with customer needs,? she explained. ‘For competitive reasons we can’t talk about specifics, but again our real goal is to kind of balance the needs of the business with the needs of our customers.?
Snyder said Comerica plans to close four branches in Michigan ? Oxford, Clarkston (Dixie Highway location), Farmington Hills and Kalamazoo. Even with these closures, Comerica will still have 233 branches in the state and 154 in southeast Michigan.
Comerica is suggesting customers who use the Oxford branch, which opened in December 1990, travel four miles down the road to its Orion location located at 1237 S. Lapeer Rd. (just south of Clarkston Rd.)
‘It’s on a main road, easy in, easy out,? Snyder said. ‘We hope the customers will find that as equally convenient.?
‘That’s my branch and I don’t want to go to the Lake Orion branch,? Hanmore-Reynolds said. ‘I don’t like the Lake Orion branch. It’s not convenient. I’ve only dealt with them a handful of times, but they’re not real friendly.?
Snyder said Comerica is working hard to help its Oxford branch customers anyway it can.
‘The goal is to try and make this as seamless for customers as possible, which is why we notified them (of the closure) 90 days prior,? she said. ‘It gives them as much time as possible to make the best choice for themselves. Our folks will help our customers make those transitions. Whatever they decide, we want to be able to help them to do that.?
Hanmore-Reynolds is considering going to a new bank because of Comerica’s decision.
‘I’m getting to the point where I may close my accounts,? she said. ‘I have quite a few accounts there.?
Hanmore-Reynold said it’s not an easy decision to make given she’s banked with Comerica since 1969.
‘I was with them when they were Detroit Bank and Trust,? she said.
Until now, she’s never really had any complaints about Comerica.
‘They treat you like a human being. You’re not a number,? she said. ‘They genuinely seem like they’re concerned about you. I’ve had very, very positive experiences with them, but right now I’m not happy with them at all.?
After the Oxford branch closes in May, the building will be put up for sale, according to Snyder.
However, until the building’s sold, the outdoor ATM machine will remain operational for customers? convenience.
Employees of the Oxford branch will be transferred to other locations, Snyder noted.
‘No employees are going to lose their jobs as a result of this,? she said. ‘It’s too soon to tell exactly where everyone will end up.?