Photo by Whitehorse Star
Yukon Party MLA Geraldine Van Bibber
Some rural Yukoners lacking bank services in wake of transition
Three Yukon communities haven’t had in-person banking services since early October, due to staffing shortages.
Three Yukon communities haven’t had in-person banking services since early October, due to staffing shortages.
“We do recognize that there are some issues in a few communities as we go through a transition and we are working with the bank providers to make sure that we have as smooth of a transition as possible,” Premier Sandy Silver said Tuesday in the legislative assembly.
The government recently transitioned its community banking contract from TD to the CIBC.
TD ended service in Mayo, Pelly Crossing and Carmacks earlier this month, but there has been a delay opening the replacement CIBC branch.
Matthew Cameron, a cabinet communications representative, said the CIBC is struggling to find staff in those locations.
“CIBC is continuing to work with the communities to identify potential staffing solutions,” Cameron said in an email Tuesday afternoon.
The communities were previously provided with six to 18 hours of in-person banking services per week. Cameron said the CIBC is working to provide those hours of service.
“We anticipate that this issue will be resolved in the coming weeks, and we are in daily contact with CIBC as they work through this transition for benefit of all community members,” Cameron said.
Yukon Party MLA Geraldine Van Bibber told the legislature community members feel they’re being pressured to use remote banking.
“We have heard complaints from almost every community; Yukoners are wondering why they are now being forced to do all their banking online,” Van Bibber said.
Cameron said the CIBC has outfitted banks with devices to help customers deposit cheques, pay bills and make account inquiries online.
“The change towards electronic banking has caused some concern for community members,” Cameron said.
“We have been in contact with banking agents and customers to address these concerns.”
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Comments (5)
Up 10 Down 0
kristopher mark Pavlovich on Nov 2, 2020 at 2:22 pm
Why is gov. paying for banking services, billions o profit every quarter.
Up 8 Down 2
kristopher mark Pavlovich on Nov 2, 2020 at 2:20 pm
Why change our bank without community consultation, it is a big pain in the ass, direct deposit, inter bank charges 30.00 between banks per transactions, why is this done.
Up 8 Down 2
Arn Anderson on Oct 30, 2020 at 12:01 pm
If Greasy Paul was still in business, this problem would not exist. Stop regulating free markets.
Up 15 Down 4
Groucho d'North on Oct 30, 2020 at 10:01 am
Another case of Ready-Fire-Aim from this government.
Up 18 Down 4
YukonMax on Oct 29, 2020 at 7:30 am
Elders (in the communities) aren't too happy with you Silver. No down time you said. All the same services you said. Not. It is not happening. And as far as "everybody knows the banks in the communities are under contract", it came as a sour surprise to most. Communities should have been involved in this. You know, just schedule it at a worst time possible and your exercise would have been completed. You would have had an excuse. But hey! Again...far from the eyes. It's just the communities, the losers draining Whitehorse economy.