From June 1st, the Bank announced that it will be discontinuing in-person cash transactions as part of its transition to a cashless system. Cash and cheque deposits can be made through the Bank’s Smart Automated Banking Machines (ABMs) located outside branches across the country.

This transition was not taken too kindly by customers, however. Country Head Ollivierre says the move is not in an effort to exclude certain groups from doing business, but to streamline the Bank’s services.

“We've had that [situation] where we have senior citizens who wait fairly long because we have other people being served. So pretty much this is an initiative not to push anybody away from the bank - this is an initiative to make life easier to allow,” he said.

The Country Head adds that CIBC is entering a new quality of banking, where the focus will be on the client’s relationship with the Bank.

“You can go to the ABM anytime, you can use your mobile app anytime, you can go online anytime and then that would make it easier for you and then we can focus more on the relationship aspect of our client in terms of getting to know their financial needs.”