By Matt Kelly

RBC to close branches in Wilkie and Cut Knife

Feb 2, 2016 | 4:09 AM

Two Battlefords area communities are going to be losing national bank branches.
 
The RBC branches in Cut Knife and Wilkie are closing their doors in the coming months, with the plan for customers to merge with the North Battleford location and travel into the city for banking.
 
The Cut Knife branch will be closing August 12, while the Wilkie branch will be closing on July 22.
 
In an emailed response, RBC manager of Public Affairs and Communications for Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and North West Ontario Robb Ritchie says the move was based on changing client needs along with limited services.
 
“We are also finding that we are not able to offer the full range of RBC services and expert advice that our clients need and deserve with our limited hours,” he said.
 
RBC has been reaching out to its customers through letters and phone calls since the change was announced.
 
“We truly value our clients business and we want to continue to be the bank of choice for our clients. We feel that our North Battleford team can meet all of our clients needs,” Ritchie says. “We are committed to making this change a smooth transition and are here to help with any questions clients may have.”
 
Ritchie feels the move to North Battleford won’t be a big change for some of their clients.
 
“Many of our clients regularly already visit the RBC North Battleford branch for assistance with more complex financial needs. We have also found that some people manage their banking differently with new online and digital banking channels offering many convenient ways to manage day to day banking needs.”
 
Ritchie adds RBC is working with the employees of both branches to review options for continuing their career as part of the company.
 
One RBC client isn’t happy with the move because he uses the brick and mortar bank.
 
“I’m not all online stuff,” he said Monday. “I do lots of paper transactions and know I’m probably looking for another bank.”
 
Another RBC client says the travel will it tough to visit the bank.
 
“It’s more cumbersome for us having to go to North Battleford for our banking.”
 
Some residents of the towns also feel it’s a sign of the times, seeing big companies leave small towns.
 
“Another nail in small town Saskatchewan. You know it doesn’t help any small town when businesses pull out.”
 
The RBC branches are closing after 100 years in both towns. The Wilkie branch has been open since 1908, while the Cut Knife branch first opened in 1911.

mkelly@jpbg.ca