The CIBC branch in Hope is hosting a meeting to answer questions clients may have before its closure in August.
Taking place on April 23, at 5:30 p.m. at the Hope branch, the meeting is for clients and will give them a chance to learn more about the closure. This includes providing clients with a better idea of how CIBC intends to serve them in the future.
Locals learned of the branch's future closure back in March when Hope CIBC sent out a letter to its clients. In the letter, the bank said it will be shutting its doors forever on Aug. 21, 2025 at 1 p.m., and all Hope accounts will be transferred to Chilliwack's branch at 9245 Young Road.
The letter does not specify a reason for the closure.
The closure means that Envision Financial, a division of First West Credit Union, will be the only in-person bank in Hope.
In the past month since the announcement, locals have expressed frustration and concern towards the bank over the closure. This includes worries over how clients without reliable transportation can reach the branch in Chilliwack.
According to the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada, the community can ask for a "formal meeting between the bank, representatives of the FCAC and interested parties near the Banking Centre, to exchange views about the closure of the branch."
The agency has the authority to hold this meeting and it may require it if they feel the bank has "not sufficiently consulted the community in the area affected by the change." Individuals, or community representatives, can also send in a written request, that is not "frivolous or vexatious," for a meeting to the agency.
For more information, clients can contact the agency at 1-866-461-3222 or visit fcac-acfc.gc.ca.
Letters can also be mailed to the commissioner to: Commissioner, Financial Consumer Agency of Canada, 427 Laurier Ave W, 6th Floor, Ottawa, ON, K1R 1B9.
Letters to the editor can be sent to to kemone.moodley@hopestandard.com.
