Showerthought: I walked past a bank branch in Calgary and it hit me how much has changed | Canadian Fintech Startups

Hayden Lane · 2026-03-20T09:25:10.447614+00:00

I was on 17th Ave yesterday and saw a big bank branch that was nearly empty, but right next door a small shop had a line for a new payment app kiosk. It made me realize brick and mortar banking is fading way faster than I thought for everyday stuff. What's a fintech in your city doing that makes old banks look slow?

parker1837mo ago

Wow, that's a sharp observation. In Vancouver, I see people using those mobile payment apps to split rent or send money right at the table. The bank still wants me to come in for a notarized form. What specific thing do you still have to go into a branch for that feels totally outdated?

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roberts957mo ago

Wise in Toronto does instant cash back.

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logan_ellis7mo ago

Doubt they're closing all the branches anytime soon.

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