County News
Banking machines going too
Adding insult to injury
When the Times reached out to Scotiabank two weeks ago through the prescribed channels, the bank spokesperson, Yara Jouzy, declined to say whether the bank would leave the bank machines in the village. Scotiabank had just announced it was closing its Wellington branch, the only bank in the village. Accounts will be moved to Picton next June—to a branch without dedicated parking.
It was terrible news for many residents in Wellington and the region—many of whom are seniors without meaningful transit options. But losing a banking machine would be much worse. For many, it is the only source of cash. While it is used less, cash remains the sole method of payment for some transactions, including at municipal landfill sites.
It seemed a critical question. But when asked directly about leaving banking machines, the spokesperson had no response.
Over the weekend, the village got its answer.
Quietly and without notice, a bright red poster was installed between the two existing bank machines, informing customers that the “ABMs are moving”.
At 8 a.m. on June 2, a crew will come and remove the bank machines in Wellington. For many, retrieving cash from their account will require a trip to Picton, Belleville or Trenton.
The in-branch notice goes on to suggest that “Should you have any questions or concerns, or wish to discuss the relocation and its effect on the community,” customers should contact the Branch Manager at 613-399-1375.
It seems unfair for the Wellington branch manager to take the heat for decisions made at head office, but little of this sad episode has been fair or reasonable.
As a former Scotiabank employee I just want to say they don’t give a dam about the people and the inconvenience of no banking machine or Bank. It has been my experience all they care about is profits sorry but true.
Is there no way at all that Mayor Ferguson, the Wellington Councillor and Tyler Allsopp could step in and have a “word” with the banks head office? This is insane. Wellington is a growing community and you’d think a bank would be an integral part of that.
It is certainly plausible that at least maintaining a banking machine, would not hurt Scotiabank’s bottom line as much as, say, their customers who will be forced to drive to Picton or Belleville, switching to a bank which, say, has a branch that does not require as many unsafe pedestrian intersections to negotiate from the Mary St. free parking lot.
However, the premise that Wellington is a growing community, is unsupportable by evidence until the Stats Canada census comes out next year (May 2026). What IS true, from Real Estate reports, is that developers are building in Brighton, Belleville, and other locations that are closer to the 401, and jobs. The narrative that developers are building in the County is not supported by evidence. We see promises and deferrals, studies and consultants’ reports. But precious little in terms of actual building. Lots of County taxing, borrowing and spending, though.
Logically, the circumstances, whether we want to admit it or not, is that more people are moving out of the County than into it. Just look at the former CAO, for example, who a different County newspaper characterized in an article in May of this year as “the County’s loss is Ottawa’s gain”. That CAO moved out of the County well in advance of her departure.
The Stats Canada census, in only 6 months time now, will show more credible data than fantasy spreadsheets and projections that have little basis in logic.
Hopefully the data will come in time to inform some people to maybe step up in the coming election in less than a year now, to stop the skyrocketing spending and right-size the County financials. Before more people leave because of unsustainable property tax increases.
Scotiabank, regardless of how much we may dislike their decisions, is basing their decisions on logic. That’s what Banks do. BMO, for their part, has chosen to exit the congested Picton core in favour of a new location that has much better packing and access, including much better accessibility for wheelchair users. Disclosure: I do not bank with BMO, and have not for decades, and have no plans to. But the point is that they are at least doing something to improve accessibility for County folks who need access to a bricks and mortar presence. The other banks in Picton are not.
You are correct about the lack of Wellington being a “growing community”, of course. As is the entire County. I was in error there. Even with “incomers”, I would suspect it will be primarily seniors who can afford the housing and don’t have to look for jobs. So, yes, the banks do what they do – but taking out the sole banking facility in a place as large as Wellington is a low move, even for a bank – they could afford to downsize that location. As for the “CAO leaving the building” as it were, several very senior staff left right along with her, and I have to wonder why. Pity we have to wait until October/2026 to hopefully get back on some sort of track.