Growing trend has banks closing drive-thrus

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Several banks across the metro area are getting rid of their drive-thru windows.

One bank customer told Channel 2’s Matt Belanger it's making it difficult for him because of his disability.

Leslie Leighton said he used the drive-up window at a Bank of America branch for years until they closed it.

The company said the change is based on consumer preferences, but not everyone is OK with it.

It's hard for Leighton to get around. He uses crutches because of a muscle disease. %

%

"People like me who have disabilities and elderly people, can't really use the bank," Leighton told Belanger.

The branch location on North Decatur Road and others in metro Atlanta have closed their drive-thru lanes permanently.

A representative for Bank of America told Belanger the closure is in response to changing customer behavior: More people are banking online. He said all banks are reinventing themselves.

Bank of America is the first big bank to close drive-thrus as part of that strategy.

"Every time I used the drive-thru there, there were lots of people using it," Leighton said.

Leighton told Belanger he knows the bank isn't doing anything illegal -- there's a ramp to get inside the building.

But he said walking the longer distance is too tiring and he can't use the stairs.

"And every time I try to get into that bank, and I've tried it a few times and I've struggled up the ramp," Leighton said.

He also told Belanger he knows he could switch banks.

But he's been a Bank of America customer since 1986, and he wants them to know not everyone agrees with the change.

"I want them to hear the drive-thrus are very helpful for quite a few customers, especially people like me," Leighton said.

The Bank of America spokesperson told Belanger there are three other locations within a few miles of the branch that Leighton goes to that still have drive-thrus.

Leighton said he sometimes goes there but the hours and locations just aren't as convenient.

Cox Media Group