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HSBC Banks Switching Over Soon To First Niagara

Story Published: May 17, 2012 at 4:58 PM EDT

Story Updated: May 17, 2012 at 6:24 PM EDT

It's still the HSBC Bank in Carthage, but not for long.

A temporary cover is about to come off.

"Over the weekend we'll be taking those bags off and Monday morning we'll rock and roll and open for business as First Niagara," said Scott Fisher, senior vice president of retail channels for First Niagara Bank.

The Buffalo-based First Niagara is taking over HSBC banks in Carthage, Evans Mills, Massena and Potsdam.

Customers have been bombarded with notices about a change First Niagara says is fairly simple.

"Those accounts become First Niagara accounts. So those customers in effect are our customers as of 3 o'clock tomorrow," said Fisher.

But ask any HSBC customer about the change, and they'll likely tell you they're confused.

That confusion represents opportunity for other banks in the area.

"They're definitely confused because some aren't even sure what new bank they're going to, to some extent," said Tom Piche, president and CEO of Carthage Federal Savings and Loan.

Some other HSBC branches are being taken over by a different bank.

The confusion about this is sending some customers elsewhere, simply to start over.

"We've opened probably double the accounts in the past month than we did prior to that," said Piche.

First Niagara advises customers in doubt to call or visit the bank.

Fisher says no one will be left stranded without a bank.
Friday, May 24, 2013
, Watertown, NY

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