Midfirst downtown branch closed

[BKDotCom]

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=298&articleid=20120719_298_0_Somebu430588

4th & Boston in the Kennedy Building

Hopefully something takes its place soon

[TheArtist]

  If our downtown is like many others, except behind by a decade lol, it will have a lot more retail, dining, parks, theaters, etc. and living.  There will still be companies, headquarters, and government offices,,, but not to the extent it was.  Businesses will move out and others in, along with more and more living and the things that will go along with catering to those living there and visiting downtown. Would really love to see the blocks near 5th and Boston return to being a bustling retail area at ground level with living above, and of course offices.  If they get some retail stores in the ground floor of the Thompson building, I think you will have enough critical mass there to be able to see that begin to happen.

[JCnOwasso]

I agree with Artist.  The primary reason you see Government agencies still downtown was because of they were technically voluntold to stay.  I have heard that after the CoE constructed the location at 169 and I44, they had to go through heck and high water to leave.  And a moratorium was placed on any other Government agency leaving downtown.  Now that DT is coming back, that may change.  It may not be cost effective to stay in buildings like the Williams towers... of course they could also be shipped over to the Post office building. 

Regardless, It will be good to see some of the non retail places leaving and getting in some shopping.  Would make shopping for the wife, during a lunch hour, a little easier!

[DTowner]

I work in the the building and rarely saw much foot traffic in the teller lobby.  I believe MidFirst is based in OKC and is a somewhat recent entry into the Tulsa market.  As a result, I don't think the walk-in retail customer was ever a big part of their business at the downtown branch.  Indeed, I doubt any of the bank tellers at downtown banks do the business they used to do. 

I've had this discussion with friends in banking - if customers are migrating to e-banking and on-line banking (with the encouragement/push of banks), why are there still so many brick and mortar bank branches being built all over town?  I never really get a good answer, but it seems like it comes down to branches being the equivalent of very expensive billboards to create/enhance brand recognition.

[nathanm]

it comes down to branches being the equivalent of very expensive billboards to create/enhance brand recognition.

So you're saying they're just there to give them someplace to put the ATM?

[Red Arrow]

So you're saying they're just there to give them someplace to put the ATM?

They're there for me.  I still deposit my paycheck personally.  I don't do electronic banking except for AT&T which won't even send an image of my check back.  I'm seriously thinking of dropping AT&T,  maybe dropping my cell phone all together.

[Boksooner]

I work in the the building and rarely saw much foot traffic in the teller lobby.  I believe MidFirst is based in OKC and is a somewhat recent entry into the Tulsa market.  As a result, I don't think the walk-in retail customer was ever a big part of their business at the downtown branch.  Indeed, I doubt any of the bank tellers at downtown banks do the business they used to do. 

I've had this discussion with friends in banking - if customers are migrating to e-banking and on-line banking (with the encouragement/push of banks), why are there still so many brick and mortar bank branches being built all over town?  I never really get a good answer, but it seems like it comes down to branches being the equivalent of very expensive billboards to create/enhance brand recognition.

Older clientele still prefer brick and mortar branches, but the overall trend is moving to other channels (ATM and ebanking). Many branches are focusing on services that customers are less comfortable doing online. Most BOK branches will have an investment specialist, a small business expert and/or a mortgage loan officer on site.

[nathanm]

They're there for me.  I still deposit my paycheck personally.  I don't do electronic banking except for AT&T which won't even send an image of my check back.  I'm seriously thinking of dropping AT&T,  maybe dropping my cell phone all together.

T-Mobile has very inexpensive prepaid service. You probably can't top up with a check unless you buy a card from the store, though.

[Red Arrow]

Older clientele still prefer brick and mortar branches,

That's me.

[Red Arrow]

T-Mobile has very inexpensive prepaid service. You probably can't top up with a check unless you buy a card from the store, though.

I went with AT&T because at the time there was a significant possibility that I might need to connect with any GSM (?) tower.  T-Mobile and a few others were not able to connect to just any tower at the time.

[shadows]

There was a time when the bank was considered a part of the community where the citizens of the area deposited their money, wrote checks and were given loans backed by the depositors.  But now the federal government is running the printing press full speed and the banks are expanding the economy with very insecure bogus bills on presumed credit.  There is a rumor among the money men the world creditors are seeking to remove the dollars as the world standard.  There was a time when one could count the city banks on their fingers but now in some areas you can find as many in three blocks. 

15 year housing loans at less than 3% is going to boost the economy?           

[AquaMan]

There was a time when the bank was considered a part of the community where the citizens of the area deposited their money, wrote checks and were given loans backed by the depositors.  But now the federal government is running the printing press full speed and the banks are expanding the economy with very insecure bogus bills on presumed credit.  There is a rumor among the money men the world creditors are seeking to remove the dollars as the world standard.  There was a time when one could count the city banks on their fingers but now in some areas you can find as many in three blocks. 

15 year housing loans at less than 3% is going to boost the economy?           

You think the federal government runs the banking system? I think its more likely the other way around. As far as the dollar being the standard I couldn't say, but in a global community we aren't necessarily always going to be the leader. Hard to adjust to that but pre-WW's that was the case as well.

And yes, I like the idea of a 15 year 3% mortgage rate and am considering refinancing currently. However, I may actually go with the 30 year note which will give me lower payments, then double up on the payments when possible to pay it off. If I find that attractive, what makes you think it is not attractive to new buyers and other existing owners, thereby providing a boost?

[Hoss]

You think the federal government runs the banking system? I think its more likely the other way around. As far as the dollar being the standard I couldn't say, but in a global community we aren't necessarily always going to be the leader. Hard to adjust to that but pre-WW's that was the case as well.

And yes, I like the idea of a 15 year 3% mortgage rate and am considering refinancing currently. However, I may actually go with the 30 year note which will give me lower payments, then double up on the payments when possible to pay it off. If I find that attractive, what makes you think it is not attractive to new buyers and other existing owners, thereby providing a boost?

You do remember who you're talking to here, right?

[shadows]

You do remember who you're talking to here, right?

Well, well, well has this form converted to the chosen dozen's private posters opinion form?   

[AquaMan]

Well, well, well has this form converted to the chosen dozen's private posters opinion form?   

Nobody is stopping you from posting. He just reminded me that you aren't always on the same sheet music as we are.