Although everyone can see it...

Old bank becomes new bank

It's hard to miss the fact that a new VKB Bank branch will soon be opening at Dornacher Strasse 11.(Bild: Horst Einöder)

In the premises at Dornacher Straße 11 in Biesenfeld, where the Sparkasse pulled down its tents at the end of September last year, partly because the frequency of visits left more and more to be desired, VKB is now starting a new attempt. What the latter wants to do differently, however, remains a "secret" for the time being.

Most people in Linz rarely visit their local bank. And why should they, since the most important financial transactions in the private sphere can be conveniently carried out online.

And yet it still causes displeasure among the population when a bank decides to close individual branches due to changes in customer behavior. Older people who do not have the necessary technical skills are the main victims - but what usually bothers even more local residents is that the ATM usually disappears along with the bank.

Decline in frequency as the cause of closure
This was the case last year, for example, when the Sparkasse in Ziegelei, Franckstrasse and Dornacher Strasse closed its branches. The latter in Biesenfeld was merged with the Auhof branch at the end of September last year. According to the communications department of Sparkasse Oberösterreich, this was mainly because footfall there had fallen sharply. However, this has apparently not stopped VKB-Bank from opening a new branch in the former Sparkasse premises.

Bank remains silent
However, what actually tipped the scales in favor of what will soon be offered there and how many employees will be on site and at what opening times remains a "secret" for the time being: those responsible at the financial institution with the green logo did not want to comment on this before the "internal" opening. On the one hand, this is of course to be respected, but on the other hand it is not only surprising for the bank's own customers, as the dominant building branding and the notice in the shop window make it hard to deny that a new bank branch is being built here.

No matter! Many Urfahr residents - older and younger alike - will probably be pleased to see one or two new ATMs.