Arran-Elderslie council wants the CIBC to participate in a meeting with the community after it announced it would be closing its Chesley bank branch.
The bank plans to move its customers to the Hanover CIBC branch.
Chesley Ward Councillor Darryl Hampton brought forward a motion earlier this month that was unanimously supported by council.
He tells Bayshore Broadcasting News, “A couple of the challenges here, are that it’s the only chartered bank in Chesley. It’s a longstanding cornerstone of our downtown and it’s been supported by our community for decades.”
Hampton says, “It’s supported by many businesses in town, agriculture clients, the municipality. Community members have relied on that CIBC bank for years. There are many community members including seniors or members that use horse and buggy that have limited transportation and don’t have the option to travel outside of Chesley. It’s not easy for them to travel to Hanover.”
Township staff are reaching out to the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada. They’re requesting that a public meeting be held as soon as possible by the CIBC to talk with the public and their clients about their closure plans.
Hampton says there was a note about the closure posted on the door of the bank and letters were sent to customers, but he feels there should be more of an opportunity for the community to share its concerns.
He says he was informed by the bank that customers with concerns about the matter were given a 2-hour time slot earlier this month to voice their concerns with a manager.
He says some options they’d like the bank to consider include keeping the branch there but reducing hours, or reducing the days of the week that it’s open, or keeping a CIBC ATM in the village.
“We’re looking for a balance that supports the community and possibly supports CIBC corporate,” says Hampton.
There are two credit unions in Chesley. CIBC is the only chartered bank.
The Chesley CIBC branch is due to close January 18th.