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Email this6:44 am
December 20, 2019
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I needed a bank draft so I visited a Meridian Credit Union and the door was locked during business hours with a big sign that said I had to ring the bell.
I rang and an employee opened the door, stepped out and closed the door behind them asking me to state my business. I told him I needed a Bank Draft and he said this branch does not do that and to visit the other one in town.
I felt like I was being treated like an outsider of some sort. I understood this branch did not do that service but I felt the security was overkill. So I shrugged and figured that branch had some issues I was not aware of.
Twenty minutes later I arrived at another branch and that one was locked as well. I buzzed to get in and someone opened the door asking me what I wanted. I stated I had a deposit to make and I needed a bank draft.
I was asked if I was a member and I said yes, that is why I am here and I had to travel one town over to get to a valid branch.
Once inside there was not one customer, I just heard furious typing on keyboards and I felt uncomfortable because I was being eyed up and down by staff.
I got my business done and left, the interaction was pleasant enough but I felt it was like a desert wasteland inside and customers were an inconvenience at best.
Later I got an email telling me all branches are now locked for CUSTOMER safety.
To top it off I received a charge at the end of the month for $4.50 cents called Cash & Coin deposit fee. I did not deposit coins but did deposit a small amount of cash.
Gone are the days when I was greeted entering a Meridian branch, it now feels like a high security jail charging me to deposit my money there.
Well I closed multiple Motus accounts, no way I was transferring any over and it looks like my days at Meridian are numbered as well.
7:56 am
April 14, 2021
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Sounds similar to restricted entry to Rogers and Telus retail stores. I never would have believed that one needed to be "buzzed" into those stores, either. Good decision for you to just leave.
10:51 am
March 30, 2017
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I am ok with buzzing to enter, it's for everyone's safety, including mine when I am inside the branch !
4:49 pm
April 14, 2021
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Just went to Canadian Tire and they refused to let me walk in with my bags of groceries (bread). Fer cris' sakes. They don't even sell bread. They insisted on locking them into a cupboard, while I shopped. Well, that's the last time I'll be back, CT. When you make yourself a PiTA, then I make myself scarce from your business.
4:58 pm
March 15, 2019
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savemoresaveoften said
I am ok with buzzing to enter, it's for everyone's safety, including mine when I am inside the branch !
I'm ok with the procedure. Don't want every Tom, Dick and Harry to just walk in off the street.
6:31 pm
September 29, 2017
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Why not?
6:31 pm
September 29, 2017
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HermanH said
Just went to Canadian Tire and they refused to let me walk in with my bags of groceries (bread). Fer cris' sakes. They don't even sell bread. They insisted on locking them into a cupboard, while I shopped. Well, that's the last time I'll be back, CT. When you make yourself a PiTA, then I make myself scarce from your business.
mmmmmmm...... pitah......
4:51 am
November 18, 2017
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Despite the clear signage saying not to bring bags into the store, my local Canadian Tire just nods and points into the store when I stop and show my bag at the door. And they have self-checkout, though I never use it. They've never asked to look in my bag at the door.
Is it because I'm very old and have very long blonde hair? How do they treat people who are dark-skinned or look native or foreign? I've never seen any examples of that. (There are very few black people in Vancouver, but lots of South and East Asians)
RetirEd
8:23 am
April 14, 2021
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RetirEd said
Is it because I'm very old and have very long blonde hair? How do they treat people who are dark-skinned or look native or foreign? I've never seen any examples of that. (There are very few black people in Vancouver, but lots of South and East Asians)
That might be it. I am Chinese and get very dark under the sun and am often mis-identified as native. I get followed by security in Walmart and RCSS, too. They are on me as soon as I clear the entrance. I lead them on merry chases throughout the entire store. F*** them.
8:46 am
March 15, 2019
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Retail theft is a really large issue in the U.S.
Of course, we have the "smash and grab" here in Canada.
9:25 am
October 17, 2018
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This is the email I received :
"At Meridian, the safety and security of our Members and employees always comes first. That’s why we’re introducing a new measure called Secured Access at all of our branches by the end of 2025.
Secured Access means branch doors will remain locked during business hours – and you’ll be welcomed inside through a secure video and intercom system. It’s a small change with a big purpose: to help you feel confident and safe every time you visit.
During branch visits, here’s what you can expect:
A friendly greeting through the intercom
Quick, secure entry – no ID required unless there’s a safety concern
The same warm, personalized service you know and trust
We’ve begun to implement Secured Access systems across all locations and many branches are already seeing the benefits. Members have told us they feel safer and more cared for than ever.
Same people. Same service. Smarter branch access.
Thank you for being part of a safer Meridian"
Where do I begin ? Ok first thing is why do they not provide bank drafts at some locations ? This is unacceptable period and I have never read a disclaimer stating this service is not provided at all locations.
They state their plan is to use video to scrutinize you and buzz you in without providing ID unless there's a safety concern. They don't elaborate on what criteria creates suspicion. So would this would be a visual screening by a person at the branch or AI and facial recognition , and what are they looking for tattoos, piercings, grocery bags with suspicious looking loaves of bread ? Precrime screening based on visual appearance must be automated or it would be discriminatory no ? If they see the machete in your hand will they ask to see your passport ? How about an umbrella ? If there's a robbery taking place the robber would instruct staff to buzz the customer in. Now you are locked inside. Where is the increased safety ? Make it make sense.
They could have automated restricted access by requiring atm card to unlock the door as some atm's already do after hours.
Why is Meridian leading the way here ? Is it because they provide such Shi@@@ty service that their employees are more at risk than BMO employees ? Possibly but probably not. More likely they are testing the waters for the industry to see what the reaction will be.
In my opinion this has ZERO to do with customer safety so they are dishonest (telling lies) about the true purpose of this policy. More likely is that they want to intimidate customers to make them more compliant and make them think twice about visiting a branch or simply want to train them for the zero trust society we are rapidly approaching.
The one place I remember that had this in place was Pace (in 2019) but it was just a teller pushing a button when you tapped on the glass and I remember thinking at that time how stupid it was.
9:53 am
October 27, 2013
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It likely is simply a deterrent for those with nefarious intent. Just like a home security system is simply a deterrent for those with nefarious intent to go somewhere else.
Brick and mortar financial institutions have had to endure increasingly untold harassment, robbery, attempted account fraud et al from a segment of the public that has become cocky and brazen due to revolving door justice from our weak politicians. It seems our public is becoming increasingly aggressive, perhaps some for good reason, but mostly probably not. Note the increasing number of disturbing incidents happening in the air on planes in the last year or two, and the rapidly increase in theft at retail establishments. It seems to me more and more retail operations are starting to report inventory losses at the financial report level.
There are mostly likely tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of bank customers who have been flagged/blacklisted, mostly a result of attempted fraudulent acts, but also of hostility. I would not be surprised that facial recognition is being (or will be) increasingly used to identify flagged/blacklisted individuals at the door.
It does make it better, if not more inconvenient, for the rest of us. Then again, most of us rarely have a need to visit a brick and mortar branch anyway. Once a year perhaps at most. I am somewhat sanguine, albeit disappointed, about this stuff.
10:02 am
November 18, 2017
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Hmm... the Telus store near me makes everyone ring and wait. They never blinked an eye at an umbrella or cane. Some high-end stores and jewelers have the same policy. The main thing I can see being defended against is "swarming," where many thieves force their way in and overpower the staff.
A half-century ago, I was often shadowed, followed or warned because I looked (to their jaundiced eyes) like a "long-haired hippie freak" but that's way in the past. Well, I do sometimes get followed by private security guards who don't recognize me like the rest of the staff.
Now I'm getting bothered by places that won't take cash! It's legal tender, eh? Does Meridian accept it without extra fees?
COIN: I don't think Canada has any less traditional shoplifting than the US.
RetirEd
10:25 am
December 20, 2019
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RetirEd said
Now I'm getting bothered by places that won't take cash! It's legal tender, eh? Does Meridian accept it without extra fees?
COIN: I don't think Canada has any less traditional shoplifting than the US.
I deposited $5000 in $100 bills and was charged $4.50 to do so, there were no coins. I think the charge is a standard fee to deposit cash and this is on top of the $30 I pay monthly for the account.
10:44 am
April 6, 2013
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Cash handling fees are common for business/commercial bank accounts. There can be a fee for the deposit entry and for each cheque deposited too!
It's not like personal accounts with free deposits, $0 per cheque deposited, and $0 per $100 of cash deposited.
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