Letter to the Editor | ‘The speed of change must be mind-boggling for many old residents to witness’

Dear Sir,

I was more than concerned to hear that BCM are in discussions about closing their Coloane Branch.   Seemingly, discussions on this matter take place in Hong Kong.  Through your pages, I urge BCM’s Directors to consider Village interests over profit.
I am in that bank every day.  There is always someone for them to serve.  More often than not, there is a genteel queue.
I witness the old folk of the Village being wheel-chaired in for their pensions.  I see them un-wrap ancient chops from equally ancient handkerchiefs, so they can place their traditional marks on their treasured, now-tatty, cashbooks.  Furthermore, I witness the kindness and genuine concern exercised by the BCM’s Branch Manager, Raymond Chan and his Team.  Their service harks back to days of gentility – perhaps something lost in Central, Hong Kong?
If they decide to close the Coloane Branch, will BCM be organizing transport to a Taipa Branch?  Or maybe another Bank will show community concern and open for us?
Of course, I have personal interests in keeping the branch open: as does Mr Wong at Nga Tim; the Market Stall Holders and other small businesses here.  However, we have the option of passing extra banking-manpower costs onto our customers: a regrettable truth, but business fact.  Unfortunately, all the sweet, sweet elderly folk of our Village will just have precious time stolen from them.
The speed of change in Macau must be mind-boggling for many old residents to witness. Does every large business have to trample over tradition?  Come on BCM!  Take the moral high ground and make the decision to stay in Coloane Village. Eileen Stow,Director, Lord Stow’s Bakery (4.3.16)