Integris Credit Union announced Friday that it is opening a branch in McBride, where the closure of the only bank in town will leave a gap for residents.
“We are thrilled to announce that Integris is building a partnership with the community of McBride to deliver in-community banking services,” stated CEO Alison Hoskins in a press release. “As a financial cooperative, we recognize that physical access to financial services is a cornerstone to economic and business viability; that reality is no different in small and remote communities. What is different, however, is how we have to work, in partnership, to make that physical community infrastructure possible.”
Scotiabank, the village’s only financial institution, announced last year that it would close in the fall of 2024. In the announcement, Integris states that village residents reached out to ask whether the credit union would consider opening a physical branch in the community east of Prince George to take fill the need left by Scotiabank's departure.
It took seven months of research, market analysis, financial projections and community engagement by a business case working group, the credit union stated in the announcement, before a plan came together. The project was approved by the Integris board on July 31.
The next step is finding a physical location, with updates in three-month intervals.
“In today’s world, where many financial services are moving to digital channels, opening a physical bricks and mortar location is not the norm,” states the announcement. “For this expansion to be successful, partnership with the community is of the utmost importance.”
Integris already has a presence in McBride, as the credit union acquired Advantage Insurance in the village last year.
“The decision to expand our presence in McBride is rooted in our core values of collaboration and empowerment,” stated board chair Alex Goseltine. “Our board firmly believes that this expansion will not only support the community’s immediate needs but also contribute to its long-term economic health and development.”
Integris is a financial co-operative with $1.8 billion in assets under administration, offering banking, insurance (including ICBC Autoplan), financial planning and group benefits to more than 27,000 members in north-central B.C.
