A Toronto-Dominion Bank branch in Toronto, Ont. Photo by Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press files

How much is good advice really worth when it comes to mortgage shopping?

Toronto-Dominion Bank thinks it’s worth a lot, and it’s investing tens of millions to back that up.

And the kicker? They’re pouring this money into bank branches those relics that feel as current as VHS rentals.

“Branches are in a secular downtrend as people shift to digital channels,” says Patrick Smith, VP, product management, real estate secured lending at TD. Yet, TD is adding hundreds of specialized mortgage advisers across its 1,060 Canadian branches, beefing up training and layering in tech so clients actually feel they’re being guided by experts, not glorified tellers.

TD’s branch bet may seem backward, but

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