The BMO branch that has operated in Sechelt for decades will be moving to Gibsons in the Spring.
The Sechelt branch will merge with the Gibsons branch, located at 101-1001 Gibsons Way.
Earlier this fall, BMO issued a letter announcing the transition, stating that bank accounts, loans and investments will all automatically be transferred to the new branch.
Currently, the Sechelt branch is set to close on April 26.
A BMO media spokesperson said, “We continuously and carefully assess our operations – including our branch footprint – to ensure that we are able to serve our customers with the products and services they need.”
When asked how this move will affect staff at Sechelt, BMO’s media team said, “We are working with branch employees to help them find other opportunities in the bank.”
In a later email, a BMO spokesperson clarified that they are expecting the majority of their team members from Sechelt will transition to Gibsons branch.
They added that the Gibsons branch will feature safety deposit boxes and full-service ATMs.
Concerns
The Sechelt BMO branch serves residents as far as Egmont, now those people will have to choose to drive the extra distance there and back to Gibsons, or to find a new bank.
The loss of this branch will mean business accounts in the Sechelt area and farther up the Coast will not be able to make deposits without traveling to Gibsons.
While the current Sechelt branch operates from Monday to Friday, the Gibsons location is open Tuesday to Saturday, making it unclear if there will be days no one on the Coast can go to BMO.
A public meeting was held on Nov. 8 to discuss the upcoming move.
Despite multiple attempts, BMO has been unresponsive in sharing the concerns brought forward by the communities affected by the branch closure.
Jordan Copp is the Coast Reporter’s civic and Indigenous affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
