CAYUGA—After decades of serving residents in Cayuga, the CIBC Banking Centre on Talbot Street West will permanently close its doors this June, forcing customers to travel to neighbouring communities for in-person banking.
CIBC Public Affairs Senior Consultant Kira Smylie shared, “The decision to close any of our banking centres is not taken lightly and we carefully consider all options before doing so.”
According to Smylie, the Cayuga banking centre has been experiencing lower business volumes for “some time,” with most client transactions now taking place outside of banking centres through mobile, online, and telephone banking.
—Haldimand Press photo by Jillian Taylor.
“As a result of this shift, we’ve made adjustments to our network. Clients were notified in November 2025 and can continue to be served at our Dunnville banking centre, or a neighbouring banking centre, and will not incur additional fees as a result of this change,” said Smylie.
“We remain committed to meeting the needs of our clients and keeping them informed of changes that may affect the way they bank with us is a priority.”
The Press inquired about how the closure will impact current bank staff; if the bank had fielded many client concerns since the announcement; and whether CIBC had a plan to help clients who do not access online banking and may have transportation limitations in reaching another branch.
Smylie did not respond to these questions and a follow up request went unreturned.
The Press reached out to the community through Facebook group ‘What’s Up Cayuga?’ for some public feedback on the impending closure.
“This day and age of internet banking and so many other services online is killing personal services. So very sad for employees and seniors who haven’t committed to using internet. Cayuga is losing its small-town appeal,” said resident Anne Stringer-Mitchell.
An anonymous poster called the closure a letdown.
“I go there every day after work to make a deposit. I have told them they need to think of other options, such as closing a day or two during the week, shorter hours most of the week, and not have three people in there when they are not needed,” shared the poster. “Cayuga has a lot of seniors that have used that bank for years. Going to another town adds an hour more to anyone’s day, plus the hassle of trying to find parking in either of those towns. As a long-time client they are going to lose my business, as well as a lot more from what I have heard around town…. In my opinion it’s bad business, but hey, who cares about the little guys anymore?”
Veronica Higgins agreed that she will be taking her business elsewhere because of this decision.
“I am a valued and lifelong CIBC customer and will now be looking for a bank that keeps providing a building and staff for me to deal with. I don’t do any big transactions via online,” said Higgins. “Thank you to the staff at Cayuga branch who have always provided me with great customer service. I will miss you.”
Cyndi Seaward Clark said, “Royal Bank did the same – and find an RBC bank machine? Forget it. At least CIBC in Cayuga had a machine we could go to and pay for the service. So now, no bank in Cayuga where there are a lot of seniors – this will be a hardship on them.”
Local business Linkhaven Farms added, “It’s an unfortunate reality and it’s another blow to our local economy and will create issues for those who rely on brick-and-mortar structures.”
The branch has set June 18, 2026 as their closing date. As of 1 p.m. that day, the branch will close and merge with the Dunnville banking centre.
For specific questions about your account, clients can contact CIBC’s Network Operations team, available Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 1-888-780-8416.
