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Flagship branch brings all members of Royal Bank Financial Group

under one roof

“It's the most convenient branch for clients of all the places I’ve ever worked,” says Royal Bank North Shore Area manager, Richard Ramey. The 30-year career banker is referring to Royal Bank's new $8 million flagship branch and regional office at Lonsdale Ave and 18th St. in North Vancouver.

“It's one-stop financial shopping, pure and simple,” says Ramey. “And we have all the services under one roof: from Personal Financial Services and Business Banking to investment advice and witis and estate planning.”

Ramey says putting all members of Royal Bank Financial Group in one location means better service for clients. “We can give clients every service they'll need throughout their entire lifecycte.”

Royal Trust and RBC Dominion Securities are

housed at the new location, in addition to the bank's Personal Financial Services and Business Banking areas.

“It really gives clients the opportunity to take full advantage of the strengths of the Royal Bank Financial Group,” says Bill Cooke, regional vice-president for Royal Trust.

Fantastic addition David French, manager, RBC Dorninion Securities, North Shore, agrees: “It’s a fantastic addition to the line- up of services. Dominion Securities has a physical presence in North Vancouver that we didn’t have before. Making life easier for clients was the guiding rule for everything we did.”

One example of that convenience is parking...a sore point with many clients before. “We have 46 underground and 10 above ground stalls,” says Ramey. “in addition, the branch is fully accessible for persons with disabilities. Three Personal Touch Banking machines and an Account Updater are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. And inside the branch full service is available six days a week, including teller service for transactions as well as our two Royal Direct

telephone kiosks.”

North Vancouver Mayor jack Loucks says the facility is a plus for the area. “ With its attractive architecture and landscaping the branch is a weicome addition to our plans for a revitalized central Lonsdale area.”

Local architect Wally Moroz, who designed the building, says the branch was designed not only for clients but to be a good fit with the character of Upper Lonsdale Ave. “We wanted to achieve a more intimate, pedestrian- friendly building that was compatible with existing buildings along Lonsdale Ave.” Building integrated Examples such as the third flocr set back from the main street facades gives the look of a lower building which matches the existing streetscape. The reflective glass captures the images of the surrounding buildings and varying moods of the sky which integrates the new structure into the buildings already there. And the canopies that follow the full length of both street facades, not only serve for weather protection but gives the corner of 18th St. a focal point.

Moroz adds that street trees, benches, patterned brick walkways, decorative lighting and landscaping all serve to provide pedestrian comfort along the fuil length of the

building.

Ramey is

unabashedly proud

of the branch.

“It shows Royal

Bank's

commitment to

the i

North Shore. We jag

are celebrating

our 100 year

anniversary in

British

Columbia this

year and we've had a presence in North Vancouver for more than 85 years. This is tangible proof we want to be a major player in the economic well-being of the city. Long-term prospects for the city and North Shore area are bright and we want to be part of it.”

Ramey also cites changes to Royal Bank’s network of branches on the North Shore particularly in West Vancouver, “Last year we converted our West Vancouver Main branch at 17th and Marine Drive into a one-stop personal financial centre, offering a full range of Royal Bank, Royal Trust and Dominion Securities services. And our Park Royal branch has a Royal Trust and RBC Dominion Securities presence on specific days of the week. We're working hard to make sure our eight North Shore branches (see Royal Bank has the North Shore Covered) continue to give our clients what they want."

Sunday, January 12, 1997 - North Shore News - 23

Members of Royal Bank Financial Group from

fs etal Ce BS

seminars.