End of an era as Bank of Montreal branch closes

Posted on July 1, 2026 by Ryan Dahlman

By Marcus Day

Maple Creek News

Almost 125 years of Maple Creek banking history ended on Friday.

No sooner had the last customer left the Bank of Montreal branch at the corner of Jasper Street and 1st Avenue, then the decommissioning crews began their business.

Lorne Ostrom and Cory Cormier, from Regina-based Sign Guys, arrived in the afternoon with a crane to begin taking down the BMO signs at the front and side.

They replaced them with white signs expected to remain blank until new owners move in.

“It is a sad day,” one passing motorist told the News-Times. “So much history there.”

For one or two former BMO customers, the prevailing sentiment was more anger than sorrow at a decision that appears to pay scant regard to the needs of those in smaller communities.

Earlier, a white truck had pulled up outside the front entrance, bearing the red-and-grey lettering and logo of GardaWorld, a large security and cash logistics company that offers physical security, transportation of valuables and electronic security.

Later, another truck drew up, with the livery, “Chubb powered by API Group”, and below it “Chubb Fire & Security”.

Medicine Hat’s Keyway Security Locksmiths Ltd also showed up.

Mike Mann was soon seen working on the front lock.

Throughout this activity, at least two customers were seen coming up to the bank, only to find it locked, or be turned away.

The remaining staff also quietly left. What will happen to them?

One of them, Sheryl, has retired after 33 years.

Another has plans to move to Saskatoon and work in Delisle.

Others are believed to have found work in Lethbridge.

It was in November 2025 that BMO announced that it would be closing its Maple Creek branch on Friday, June 19, 2026.

“It’s devastating news,” said Michelle McKenzie, the mayor, who feared the closure would affect not just Maple Creek, but outlying communities like Piapot as well.

She said the prospect of an empty Jasper Street building ran counter to the Town’s efforts to encourage businesses to come to the community.

Johanna Koch, president of Maple Creek Chamber of Commerce, said: “It will be a big loss.”

A closure notice placed at the entrance read: “We want to thank you for your loyalty. We have enjoyed being part of this community.”

After the branch closes, the notice says, customers can be served at Dunmore & Carry Drive branch, 3214 Dunmore RD S.E., Medicine Hat, Alberta T1B 2X2.

The notice adds that customers can bank online or with BMO’s mobile app. Visit bmo.com/digitalbanking or talk to a member of the BMO branch team to learn more.

At a 2024 gala event at The Armoury, BMO received a “Legacy of Success” award in recognition of it being the second oldest business in Maple Creek.

At the time, it had had a presence in Maple Creek for 123 years.

The Bank of Montreal’s Maple Creek branch was established on January 10, 1901 and at the time it was known as the Merchant’s Bank of Canada which later merged with the Bank of Montreal. E. J. Fewings, who was manager of the Merchants Bank of Canada, Medicine Hat, played a major role in the opening of the bank at its inception in 1901, with a staff of two serving a community of 350 people.

According to a summary read out at the “Legacy of Success” event, The Merchant’s Bank of Canada became Bank of Montreal in 1923.

The bank was first located along Pacific Avenue, followed by space in Parsons Block on the corner of Pacific Avenue and Jasper Street where it resided from 1909 until 1927, and moved into the Commercial Hotel.

In 1932, the Bank of Montreal acquired 114 Jasper Street the building known as the Orr Building. The Orr Building served the needs of the bank until 1952 when its present location was constructed.

“It has been serving the community for 123 years,” Councillor Len Barkman, the MC, announced.

Last Friday, that service record stood at nearly 125 years. And that is where it will remain.

By early evening, as Ostrom and Cormier began finishing their job, one of the blue BMO signs lay against the side of  the building.

It seemed to symbol the end of an era.