LAKEPORT >> Customers that have opened an account with Bank of America at the Lakeport Financial Center were notified by mail last week that the Center will be closing its Lakeport location on November 7, according to the center manager Chavalit Laomeepol.
The Ukiah branch is also scheduled to close on November 7.
Laomeepol explained that though the centers will close, no action is required by the customer as all services will remain available online and through the Bank of America mobile app.
“A lot of major banks are moving toward online banking and our center is, too. Online and mobile services will still be in full force,” he said.
He added that those that do not use online or mobile banking services can still use its 24-hour automated phone service or the visit the nearest center. Customers in both Lake and Mendocino counties will have to drive to Healdsburg or Windsor to access the closest locations.
According to Bank of America spokeswoman Tara A. Burke, all accounts will move to Healdsburg, the nearest location.
In an emailed statement, Burke said:
“Customers bank differently now than in the past and as a result, we’re constantly adapting our financial center network to fit those changing needs and behaviors. Our goal is to provide the right network of financial centers and ATMs for our clients to do their banking. Many of our clients have adopted our online and mobile banking offerings as a result of the convenience they provide. As more clients do their traditional banking outside of financial centers, financial centers are increasingly used to address more substantial yet infrequent client needs, like planning for retirement, securing a loan or establishing a banking relationship for their small business.”
After hearing about the bank closing its physical location, one local said the decision does not really affect her as she has not stepped inside the bank for several months since she has switched to online banking.
Customers who are not on board with online and mobile banking have expressed frustration, however. Joleen Silva, a long-time user of Bank of America, said she feels forced to have to start looking for another bank.
“It’s awful. I’m not a user of online banking. We all have things taken out automatically and they’re just going to throw us out,” she said.
Bank of America explained in their letter to customers that there are various ways one can still continue banking, including online and mobile, banking by phone, and through direct deposit to automatically deposit checks into one’s account.
Customers are advised to visit the financial center before it closes its doors to get any questions answered.
