As of Feb. 6, 2016 there will only be one bank and one credit union left in downtown Langley.
TD Canada Trust, which has been a staple at Langley Mall for 41 years, is merging with its Langley Centre branch at 19711 Willowbrook Dr.
Notices were sent out to affected customers on Aug. 14.
It was a difficult decision, said TD spokesperson Jeff Meerman, but after reviewing customer patterns, it was found that more people are using the Langley Centre location.
“We did a careful assessment, we analyzed our customer traffic patterns and we determined we could best meet our customers’ needs by joining the two branches together,” Meerman said.
The Langley Centre branch is larger, offers longer hours during the week, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., is open on weekends and is more modern than the location at Langley Mall.
There will also be a “minimal impact” to staff with transfers to other locations currently being planned, Meerman said.
But at 3.2 km away, it may be difficult for seniors and people with disabilities to get to the other location, said customer, Eileen Bevis.
In a note to The Times, Bevis wrote that she was “horrified” by the notice.
“Has any consideration been given to the large number of seniors in the area?” she wrote.
“How are they supposed to get to the other branch? This branch seems to be very busy with both senior and handicapped customers.
“While I have a car, many seniors do not, and even a scooter is not sufficient transportation, especially in the bad weather.”
A similar departure occurred last May, when Envision Financial Credit Union also left the City of Langley to merge with the company’s Willoughby location.
That leaves only the Scotia Bank at 205 Street and 56 Avenue, and Westminster Savings Credit Union at 208 Street and Fraser Highway remaining for people who want to manage their finances in downtown Langley.
Unlike Envision Financial’s decision to move from an area with many empty storefronts, Meerman said the neighbourhood itself has nothing to do with the move.
“Our assessment is essentially our customer preferences and traffic patterns,” he said.