WICKER PARK — A Chase bank branch that’s long anchored the northwest corner of Milwaukee and Ashland across from the Polish Triangle plans to close next month as part of a consolidation effort by the bank.
Signs in the window of the branch at 1230 N. Milwaukee Ave. inform customers the branch will close at noon Thursday, Dec. 6.
The Polish Triangle Chase branch is one of three in the Wicker Park area — and the decision to shutter it was due to a consolidation sparked in part by technology and the fact banking is “no longer a one-sized fits all approach,” according to a Chase spokesman.
The spokesman said Chase’s online portal boasts more than 43 million active digital users, and its banking app has more than 26 million active mobile users.
The bank opened in December 2004, and like many Chase branches, employs about 8-10 full and part-time employees — all of whom will be reassigned to other Chase banks in Chicago, the spokesman said.
“Like any good retailer, we constantly evaluate our branch network to ensure we’re in the right locations as our customers’ needs change. Sometimes we consolidate a branch when others are nearby or traffic is low. This allows us to provide a strong, successful branch network that can serve our community for the long-term,” the spokesman said.
Chase bank branch customers were told of the impending closure in September in a letter from Lisa Maleck, Chase’s market director of banking.
Maleck encouraged Chase customers to visit nearby branches at 1849 W. North Ave. or 1959 W. Division St.
Located across from the CTA Blue Line Division “L” station, the branch has three indoor ATMs, which are often busy during after work rush hours and usually have lines down the block when there are big local events such as Renegade Craft Festival and Wicker Park Fest.
The bank branch spokesman confirmed the three ATMS are closing, too.
“We are not leaving an ATM behind at this location,” the spokesman said.