Umpqua Bank is blaming changing customer habits for the impending closure of its location in Morton.
A letter sent to customers Oct. 24 announced that the banking institution will shutter its Morton branch on March 2, 2018. That planned closure comes less than two years after TwinStar Credit Union closed its walk-in location in Morton on April 29, 2016. Once the Umpqua branch is officially closed, Morton residents will be left with just two banking choices — Key Bank and Security State Bank.
“Like many other retailers we are acknowledging the fact that our customers’ behaviors are changing. We are seeing less and less foot traffic in our locations and this is a part of an ongoing adjustment,” explained Eve Callahan, vice president of communications for Umpqua Bank.
Callahan noted that the closure of the Morton branch is part of a regional effort to eliminate some of Umpqua’s less frequently utilized locations. She said that strategy will result in the closure of 30 branches in five states during the first fiscal quarter of 2018.
“This is consolidating locations where the foot traffic didn’t warrant a physical location,” said Callahan, who noted that Umpqua will be focusing efforts to better accommodate online and remote banking technologies. That plan is being called a “Human Digital Banking Strategy.”
“While we are closing the physical Morton location we are actually creating a new role in Morton that we are calling a mobile banker,” said Callahan. “It’s a different approach, but I think it’s an important one.”
Callahan explained that the mobile banker will be available to advise Umpqua patrons via secure text communications and/or live video chatting. Customers will also have the option to make an appointment for a face-to-face meeting in order to take care of their everyday banking needs if they prefer.
Accounts with the Umpqua Bank in Morton will be automatically transferred to the Chehalis branch as part of official closing procedures. That branch is located 41.8 miles away at 401 N. Market Blvd., Chehalis. Safe deposit box holders will need to make plans for special accomodations.
Callahan added that Umpqua Bank plans to leave an ATM in town for the convenience of its customers. Umpqua Bank is located at 192 Adams St. in Morton.
