I newer see that syntax...
I use pdf that came with PBP 3
PICBASIC PRO™ Compiler
REFERENCE MANUAL
Revised March 6, 2013

Bank should be stated after variable type.
eg
ticker VAR BYTE BANK0 SYSTEM 'Creates "ticker" as a BYTE in BANK0, with no Assembly prefix character
wsave VAR BYTE $70 'Creates "wsave" at RAM address 0x70 (hex)