HOPEWELL, Hanover — Residents and business operators in Hanover have welcomed the opening of a new commercial banking facility in Hopewell — a district that has been a thriving commerce fixture for more than a century.

GraceKennedy Money Services — a member of the GraceKennedy Group of Companies — has expanded its offerings to the residents with the establishment of its GK One Financial Centre, the first and only facility of its kind to be opened in the community.

It houses the FirstGlobal Money Link, a subsidiary of its parent company — FirstGlobal Bank; Bill Express; Western Union; GK Proxim, a micro -finance agency; GraceKennedy General Insurance, and FX Trader.

FirstGlobal Money Link has already been receiving positive responses from residents, a large number of whom are now customers.

The establishment of the GK One Financial Centre in Hopewell increases to four, the number of similar operations being undertaken by GraceKennedy Money Services (GKMS).

The others are located in Santa Cruz, St Elizabeth; Cross Roads in Kingston; and Linstead in St Catherine.

Head of digital marketing and communications at FirstGlobal Bank Dave DaCosta said Hopewell was chosen primarily due to its central location, which provides a convenient outlet for people living in or traversing between the parish capital, Lucea, and Montego Bay in St James.

“Hopewell is becoming its own kind of urban centre outside of Montego Bay. It also gives us the opportunity to leverage our relationship with our sister company — Western Union,” said DaCosta.

“We are going larger. We plan to open up 16 locations islandwide by the end of 2018, and about 30 over the next two years. We want to reach every Jamaican in the remote communities, giving them access to commercial banking services and other financial products within a 30- to 60-minute radius,” he explained.

Meanwhile, consumer lending manager at GraceKennedy Capital, Reginald Hird, said GK Proxim offers quick financing to the micro sector with some flexibility. Financing is usually available within 48 hours, given all requirements are met.

DaCosta added that as of last month, FirstGlobal Money Link has been offering a loan facility to its customers at competitive rates.

“I am encouraging both the residents and business operators of Hanover to consider making FirstGlobal Money Link their local bank. It is as stable as the GraceKennedy Group has been for over 90 years. We are here to stay,” DaCosta assured.

Hanover resident Vanessa Kerr said the opening of the facility will make doing business much easier for her and other Hanoverians.

“It is also a major boost for the community, but better yet, it gives more convenience to Jamaicans residing abroad who wish to remit money to their loved ones living in Hanover,” Kerr added.

“On the other hand, for me personally, the banking facility that is also here will encourage me to save more. I will no longer have to wait until I visit the major townships to deposit my savings. It is far more convenient, faster and safer,” she said.