Islanders take fight for bank to Ottawa

A new front opened in Grand Mananers' battle to save their bank on June 15, with the visit to Ottawa of Mayor Bonnie Morse and Councillor Gregg Russell. A meeting with two representatives of the federal finance department was arranged by MP John Williamson, and while nothing has changed yet, Morse and Russell both thought it went well.
"They were attentive; they listened to what we had to say; they took lots of notes and asked questions," Russell says. "I couldn't have hoped for anything more." He points out that they never expected to walk into the meeting, have someone make a phone call and fix the problem. "We wanted the opportunity to present to them the hardships [imposed by the closure] and how this will impact the whole island." He wants to know whether any federal regulators hold banks accountable to their corporate governance statements about looking after stakeholders.
Russell, who launched his campaign as a "concerned citizen" rather than as a councillor, provided a background information package, and Morse presented a wider overview of the island's need for a bank. She says, "We had the opportunity to tell the story of how inaccessible banking will become for the community if we lose our bank in the summer. [Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland's] staff was very receptive to what we had to say, and we will continue to work with them and [MP] Williamson on this issue. While there is nothing concrete or tangible to report, it was a good starting point for the conversation."
Williamson, whom Russell calls "a great ally," provided an introduction at the meeting. He describes it as "productive" and states, "As the MP representing Grand Manan, I was pleased to secure this meeting as we all work together to find a solution and save the island's bank. I am again calling on Scotiabank to reverse its ill-informed decision and keep its doors open on Grand Manan."
Morse says the village will continue to pursue whatever avenues they can as they await follow up and will look at mitigation strategies for the loss of banking access if their efforts fail.
The branch has scheduled "Digital Days" to help seniors and others with online and telephone banking on June 30, July 14, July 28 and August 11.
Meanwhile, Russell continues to encourage public pressure on the bank and hopes to make contact with the board of directors next. He has kept the local branch manager apprised, acknowledging that island staff had no say in the decision. He encourages customers -- not just on Grand Manan -- to tell their branch managers that if the island branch is closed, they will close their accounts; and he asks, "Will Scotiabank shareholders consider selling their shares and going to a company with better business practices?" He says people knowledgeable about the banking industry told him this was a good strategy, and he's heard of a few people who have done it. He believes these customer comments are being passed up to management.
Russell and his wife have indicated their plan to close several accounts of their own if the bank shuts its doors on August 24, but he says, "I'm optimistic," and doesn't plan to leave until August 25 "with the moving van at the door." If Scotiabank reverses its decision, "as long as we have an institution for basic banking," he will support them and encourage customers to stay or return.
People see him as a spokesman and have approached him with ideas, but he encourages them to take their own initiative, and any idea "that's ethical, legal and in good taste -- do it."
"I'm hopeful all these little things add up to where Scotiabank says, 'We've had enough negative publicity,'" he says. "They could still come out looking good." He likens the situation to a game in overtime. "They could still win: Scotiabank 1, Grand Manan 0; but they're going to be bruised, and I think embarrassed."
He's had a lot of support from islanders and says, "It's not me, it's us, what we are doing. It's easy for me to keep going; [supporters] continue to give me the energy."