Local pressure mounts over Westport branch shutdown
WESTPORT — Rideau Lakes council and community organizations are urging BMO (Bank of Montreal) to reconsider planned rural branch closures after the bank confirmed the Westport branch will close next year, the same day as the Elgin branch in 2026.
In a response to Hometown News, BMO confirmed the Westport branch will close on June 19, 2026, with clients redirected to the bank’s Perth branch at 30 Gore St. E.
“As of June 19, 2025, we look forward to serving clients of our Westport branch at our Perth branch or any other branch within our entire branch network,” said Ci Ci Fan, senior manager of public relations for BMO Financial Group.
The confirmation came weeks after residents, councillors and community groups raised concerns about a lack of clarity surrounding the future of the Westport branch.
BMO has separately confirmed the Elgin branch at 28 Main St. will close at 5 p.m. on June 19, 2026, with customers transferred to the bank’s Gananoque branch at 101 King St. E.
According to a notice mailed to Elgin customers, cheques, account numbers, direct deposits and pre-authorized payments will remain unchanged during the transition. All existing accounts, loans and investments will move automatically to Gananoque. Safety deposit boxes will not be transferred and must be emptied and closed by May 15, 2026.
In a statement to Hometown News, Jeff Roman, head of enterprise public relations for BMO, said the decision followed a review of the bank’s branch network.
“We continuously assess our operations including our branch network to adapt to changing consumer preferences for service delivery. These decisions are carefully considered,” Roman said.
BMO did not answer questions about when the closure decisions were made, why the Elgin branch was selected or whether staff at either branch will be affected. The bank also did not respond to questions about whether ATMs will remain in Westport after the branch closes.
Council voices concern
The closures were debated at Rideau Lakes council’s Dec. 1 meeting following discussion at the township’s Community Enhancement Committee.
Coun. Dustin Bullock said residents at the Morton Community Enhancement Committee meeting told council “they are very concerned about the potential closures of these local bank branches.” He said the recommendation was “to support this so that we can at least put a voice to the importance of these local bank branches to our community, to the seniors in our community, and to the local businesses about the community impact these closures would have.”
Coun. Marcia Maxwell said the issue was also discussed at an economic development meeting earlier in the day.
“It is a concern from a business point of view for economic development and also concern for the seniors in the community,” she said.
Maxwell said she was “really surprised” that Elgin customers were being directed to Gananoque, calling it “a location that is somewhat remote” when Smiths Falls and Perth would be closer for many residents. While customers can bank at any BMO branch, she said, “at the same time, it’s going to be difficult for the seniors and for the businesspeople … just getting change for businesses, it’s not good.”
She said the economic development committee recommended encouraging BMO not to move forward with the closures.
Coun. Linda Carr, who also does business at BMO in Elgin, said she received notice directing her to Gananoque, “which I think is absolutely ridiculous.”
Carr said the committee discussed inviting a credit union representative to speak to council about alternative options.
“Maybe we could have a Rideau Lakes Credit Union formed, which may help, or maybe we can contact the Royal Bank in Portland and ask if they could give us some kind of encouragement to have everyone change over to the Royal Bank,” she said.
Mayor Arie Hoogenboom said a “strongly worded” draft letter to BMO is ready and that he has contacted Westport Mayor Robin Jones to explore a joint response.
“I’m not optimistic given the fact that so many other rural communities have lost their bank branches, including Delta, Seeley’s Bay, Lansdowne and Merrickville, and there are many others as well,” Hoogenboom said. “That’s not to say we shouldn’t make the effort.”
Community reaction
Community opposition has continued to grow. The Westport Lions Club recently sent a letter to BMO chief executive officer Darryl White asking the bank to reverse its decision to close the Westport branch.
In the letter, Lions Club president David Lowery said the closure would disproportionately affect seniors, local businesses and residents without access to transportation, noting Westport has no public transit and only one bank.
Lowery criticized what he described as a lack of consultation before the decision was made and urged BMO to work with the community to find solutions to ongoing banking needs.
Coun. Ron Pollard said many Rideau Lakes residents rely on the Westport branch despite it being outside the township boundary.
“It also supplies all the boaters who come in and stay (in Westport),” Pollard said. “They can’t drive anywhere. They walk up to the bank. It’s lineups all summer.”
Pollard said closures in other communities, including Verona and potential closures in Sharbot Lake, would further affect residents.
“It is just ruining economic development in the area by doing what they’re doing,” he said. “There’s no talk. There’s no meeting. They just do what they want to do. I just think it’s awful.”
Coun. Debbie Hutchings asked whether BMO could keep ATMs in place once branches close.
“Could they keep at least bank machines open there in each place?” she asked.
Hoogenboom said some communities have retained ATMs after branch closures, although that is “not the same level of service that many of our seniors would be looking for.”
Council approved its motion without opposition. The township was scheduled to send a letter to BMO outlining concerns about the closures, the lack of consultation and the impact on seniors, businesses and rural access to in-person banking.
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