Integris Credit Union customers at the downtown Prince George branch will no longer be able to access services in person.
Calling it a “transition,” Integris CEO Alison Hoskins addressed the decision in a statement posted to the credit union’s website.
“We would like to share with you that our board of directors and executive leadership team have made the decision to transition in-person banking services away from our Town Centre branch,” she wrote. “In-person services will be relocated to our River Point and 5th and Central neighbourhood branches with ATM and night depository services remaining downtown.”
The downtown branch is located on 6th Avenue near Victoria Street. It's the second location for the branch; It opened on 4th Avenue in 1946 and was located there for 30 years before the move to its current location.
Hoskins stated that the decision came after research and an analysis of how busy the branch was, including use by members and non-members.
“Our Town Centre location has seen a significant reduction in usage and many of the users have transitioned to our neighbourhood branches to do business closer to home,” she stated. “Additionally, many members are making the decision to bank digitally and are no longer using physical branches. Members who have visited the branch within the last six months have been contacted individually prior to this public announcement.”
The decision does not involve job losses, Integris reports, with some downtown staff moving to new locations.
Hoskins stated that Integris leadership knows people will be affected by the change.
“We understand how important access to services are downtown and we are working on a plan to ensure our ATM and night depository remain available where you choose to do business,” she stated. “For those who are safety deposit box holders, we will contacting you with more details about this transition in a separate communication.
"For those who utilize our Commercial Services/Commercial Borrowing Team, know that they will be relocating to our River Point Branch. We are confident that with the enhanced services at this location (banking, insurance, and financial services), we will be able to better serve our business and commercial members.”
The change is expected to take about four months.
