PHILIPSBURG--Windward Islands Bank (WIB) clients will soon have access to a state-of-the-art digital branch with technological advances when its new Bush Road branch in the former City Furniture building opens to the public on Wednesday, February 13. The official invitation-only opening ceremony will be held on February 12.
The new self-service branch will feature, amongst other things, a 24-hour automatic teller machine (ATM) and a drive-through ATM, a first for St. Maarten.
The new digital branch will also feature a hurricane shelter with capacity to house WIB staffers. The shelter will occupy the upper floor of the building, will cover some 5,000 square feet and can accommodate 200 people. WIB’s staff number stands at 199. The shelter will be equipped will essential supplies to cater to those who opt to ride out future storms there.
WIB was established in St. Maarten 57 years ago and offers a range of services and products. The move to more digital banking at the new Bush Road branch will connect with clients who will experience true direct deposits and speedier service inside the “digital” branch.
The Bush Road branch will not be only computers and machines. There will be human interaction and tellers will be around to assist clients. Staff have been trained to promote online and form-free banking as a way to help clients to migrate as smoothly as possible to the digital world.
