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Limited ATM Hours In Bronzeville Draw Complaints

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Access to ATMs is a standard way banks provide convenience to customers.

However, that's not the case in Bronzeville, as CBS 2's Dorothy Tucker reports.

Customers at the Seaway and Chase bank branches at 35th Street and King Drive rely on the ATMs there for easy access to their cash at any time of day.

Recently, that changed.

Now, the ATMs are only open during bank hours.

"It should be 24/7," said bank customer Francine Washington. "If our money stays here 24/7, we should have access to ATM 24 hours a day."

Representatives of both banks say the changes were made because vagrants were inhabiting the ATM vestibule after hours.

Seaway Bank is African-American owned.

"It's somewhat of a disservice because this is the only Seaway location in the neighborhood," said one Seaway customer. "If blacks want black businesses they need to make it convenient."

The nearest Seaway branch is eight miles away in Chatham, and the closest Chase branch is two miles away in Bridgeport.

However, some customers side with the banks.

"I would not feel comfortable going in late at night, and I live two blocks away," said one resident. "I can understand why it's not 24/7."

Seaway says it looked at extra security guards but the cost is prohibitive.

Chase says because of the complaints, it's working on a solution to extend ATM hours.

"Although I understand the need for safety and security measures, there needs to be a balance," said Ald. Sophia King. "I want to make sure that the residents of this community have the same access to amenities that they would have in any other area of the city."

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