Demerara Bank took its business to the streets of New York yesterday, registering Guyanese and Guyanese-American customers during an outreach that attracted long lines and left some applicants waiting for hours.
The bank’s team operated outside Bakewell at 127-08 Liberty Avenue in South Richmond Hill, Queens, where persons turned up to apply for Guyana-based bank accounts.
Short videos posted by social media personality Leon Jameson Suseran showed a lengthy line at approximately 6 pm, the advertised closing time for the exercise.
“Okay guys, it’s 6 pm here and the line is still long here of persons registering with the local Guyana bank,” Suseran said while recording the gathering.
The size of the turnout apparently affected the bank’s plans to hold a subsequent engagement at Hollis, prompting officials to issue an apology to persons who had expected to meet the team there.
“To everyone who was expecting us in Hollis, we’re truly sorry we couldn’t make it,” the bank said in a post on its Facebook page.
“We know many of you made plans to meet with us, and we genuinely regret that we weren’t able to be there.”
In an accompanying video, bank officials acknowledged the disappointment caused and promised that another visit would be arranged.
“We know that we created that disappointment for you, but we sincerely hope that we can make this up, and we will visit here again. We will reach out to you,” one official said.
Persons who were unable to meet the team were advised that they could still submit applications through the bank’s website.
Addressing the Liberty Avenue exercise, the officials said the response had been overwhelming and expressed appreciation to those who waited in line.
“People stood there for so long, patiently waiting for their bank account, for which we appreciate you,” one official said.
The bank also apologised to applicants whom its representatives were unable to attend to at Liberty Avenue and said the public would be informed when another exercise was scheduled.
“To everyone who came out and connected with us during our visit to New York, thank you for the support,” the bank said. “It meant so much to our team, and we look forward to seeing you again soon.”
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