After more than 60 years serving Madras and Jefferson County, the local Wells Fargo branch will close its doors for good on June 24, 2026 at 11 a.m.
The branch, located in downtown Madras, is the only Wells Fargo in Jefferson County. When it closes, customers will be redirected to the company’s Redmond location — a drive that adds 20 to 30 minutes each way for most Madras residents and significantly more for those in Warm Springs, Culver, or the rural reaches of the county.
A Flashpoint in the Election
The closure has already surfaced as a campaign issue in the Jefferson County Commissioner races. Challenger Ara Erdekian, running for Position 2, raised the Wells Fargo closure at multiple candidate forums, arguing that the county needs commissioners who will actively advocate for financial access for residents.
Commissioner candidate George Curtiss framed the closure as part of a broader pattern of Jefferson County losing services that once anchored the community.
“In the last four years, Jefferson County has lost so many services… We’re not spending our money in our county.”
He and other challengers have pointed to the Wells Fargo closure alongside the loss of the local animal shelter and the outsourcing of 911 dispatch as examples of services that once existed locally but no longer do.
Who Is Most Affected?
The closure disproportionately affects residents who rely on in-person banking services — including older residents, those without reliable transportation, and small business owners who make regular cash deposits. Jefferson County’s rural geography means that losing a bank branch is not just a convenience issue; for some residents, it is a significant access barrier.
Other banks remain in Madras, including Oregon State Credit Union and Umpqua Bank. Jefferson County also has community banking options, though none carry the national footprint that Wells Fargo offered.
Wells Fargo’s Broader Branch Reduction Strategy
The Madras closure is part of Wells Fargo’s national strategy to reduce its physical branch presence in response to declining in-person banking use. The company has closed hundreds of branches nationwide over the past several years. Rural communities have been disproportionately affected, as branch closures in urban areas often leave multiple alternatives nearby.
Jefferson County residents with Wells Fargo accounts who have questions about the transition can call the bank’s customer service line or visit the Redmond branch at 2067 SW Veterans Way.