TD Bank Site Selection Using a Multi-criteria Decision Approach

This study uses Geographical Information Systems (GIS)and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to find suitable locations to open new TD bank branches in the City of Toronto. While there are transitions within the banking sector towards digital/online consumer channels, physical locations still play an important role. As with other sectors, site selection is an important in ensuring a suitable location is chose that matches the needs of the business (in this case banks). The AHP process, drawing on expert opinions (i.e., expert surveys based on the Saaty scale), provides a robust and structured approach to evaluate all areas in Toronto at the dissemination area level. The research was able to determine three dissemination areas in Toronto which were deemed to be optimal for opening a new TD bank. Furthermore, this research was able to provide a deep analysis on why Toronto (the former municipality) was considered to be the best choice for site selection.