Outside the Centre Hastings municipal offices in Madoc. (Photo: David Foot / QuinteNews)
A member of Hastings County council calls it “disturbing” that the rural municipalities are losing their banks.
Centre Hastings Mayor Tom Deline told county council today it’s a “disgrace” that rural Ontario is losing its banks, and called on the county to be proactive in getting and keeping banking services in the county.
Deline was referring to the fact Deseronto is losing its bank this year and the bank in Marmora closed last year.
He called on the county to “raise a ruckus” with the provincial and federal governments.
Warden Rick Phillips says CIBC has indicated to him it may install a a bank machine in Deseronto when it closes its bank there later this year.
Mayor Norm Clark of Deseronto says he has been approached by other banks and the Credit Union about opening branches in his town.
CAO Jim Pine says it reminds him of the doctor shortage which led to the county’s doctor recruitment program.
Council approved a motion, introduced by Deline, that staff investigate the possibilities for banking in small municipalities and report back.
