CUSTOMERS of a struggling bank branch have had their hopes of its full return dashed following an incident at the ATM.
On February 9, Huntington Bank shuttered its branch in Buckeye, Ohio – a town situated within Cleveland – due to high levels of crime.
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The closure of the location was proposed during the fall as safety concerns for employees and customers continued to rise.
Previous reports detail an alleged bank robbery at the location as well as residents telling Signal Cleveland that bullets hit the branch during a shootout last year.
‘UNACCEPTABLE RISK’
Locals made desperate attempts to save the location including a bid to keep it open for a further 90 days.
However, this idea was rejected due to “unacceptable risk” to staff and customers but officials proposed that the closure could be temporary depending on the events of the following six months.
“Unfortunately, due to the unacceptable risk to our customers and employees, we cannot leave this branch open for an additional 90 days,” Kris Dahl, regional communications manager for Huntington said at the time.
“We will work with the City of Cleveland in the event actions can be taken to address the safety concerns for our customers and employees,” he added.
“After six months, we will assess if there have been sufficient improvements to safety in this area.”
However, hopes of the branch re-opening have been dashed after a spokesperson for the bank confirmed that the ATM which was still operational had been damaged.
Cleveland Police confirmed the incident occurred on Tuesday night, per Fox News affiliate WJW.
Vandals attempted to steal the ATM by gouging it out of the wall, but upon failing to do so they damaged it so much that now all that is left is a gaping hole and stray wires.
“They carved out the whole atm on 116 n buckeye,” one resident posted on Facebook.
“Sorry for the people who are customers of Huntington like me,” another wrote.
“You are going to have to find another branch. It’s not safe for those workers or even you as a customer to go to that location.”
“Lazy, sad beyond pathetic individuals,” a third said of the criminals.
Police are investigating the incident and the hole has since been boarded up, but with a review of the temporary closure due in August, the future of the location hangs in the balance.
The Bank Closure Trend Continues:
Huntington Bank is not the only financial institution shuttering its brick and mortar locations.
Wells Fargo and Chase Bank announced plans to shutter 1,500 locations this year.
In March and April, Chase closed almost 20 locations and has its sights set on nine more over the coming months.
However, Chase claims it will be opening 500 US locations in the next three years
Meanwhile, Wells Fargo closed eight branches in just six days back in March.
Key Bank, Citizens, and three local banks also shut their doors last month.
Bank of America also announced planned shutdowns of over 50 locations in 2024.
The move to close branches reflects the current trend in the banking industry.
Digital banking services are increasingly becoming the preferred choice for consumers.
As a result, traditional branches are facing pressure to adapt or downsize.
According to one local who is hoping to save the branch, cops have several suspects for the incident after reviewing surveillance footage.
Bob Render, one of the residents and customers who wanted to keep the branch open told WKYC he was left “cussing and swearing” after hearing about the latest event at the bank.
However, he remains hopeful that the police investigation will end in an arrest.
“One, they didn’t get anything. Two, this is a federal offense. Three, the police just acquired the video they have several suspects, all they’re waiting now is to make an arrest,” he claimed when speaking to WKYC.
“We are aware of the damage to our Buckeye Road ATM and are cooperating with police as they investigate,” a spokesperson for Huntington Bank told the news outlet.
“Huntington is still working with the city in the hopes of finding a solution that will allow the branch to open again.”
The U.S. Sun has contacted Huntington Bank for comment.
The Cleveland Police issued the following statement:
“The Cleveland Division of Police is currently investigating an overnight incident at the Huntington Buckeye and East 116th Street branch.
“Fourth District detectives are actively investigating this incident. Anyone with information on this case is asked to call 216-623-5418.
“Yesterday, the Department of Public Safety participated in a previously scheduled meeting with Huntington Bank leaders and citizens to discuss ongoing collaborative efforts with the intention of keeping accessible banking options in our communities.”
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