“With the introduction of mobile services a few years ago, we noticed a significant decline in people using in-branch services,” Klassen explained. “Weighing the viability of business operations against the decreasing usage of in-branch services is what ultimately made our decision.”

The one-time Royal Bank office ran as a sub-branch of the Boissevain Credit Union before the amalgamations that led to the larger Sunrise. Many Minto members already use the in-branch services in Boissevain and other locations, and can continue to do so, along with the mobile and online amenities. The Minto office is open Thursdays and will remain so until October 1.

Sunrise employs a few people in Minto, but they all primarily work out of other locations. Sunrise said all jobs remain secure.

“Making the decision to close the Minto branch was a difficult one. As a financial institution owned by the people it serves, we have to take into consideration the best interests of the entire membership. Like any business, tough decisions need to be made at times and quite frankly we couldn’t maintain services there any longer.”

by PAUL RAYNER, Recorder staff