Jefferson County is three weeks away from losing its only Wells Fargo branch. The Madras location, which has served the community since 1962, will close its doors permanently on June 24 at 11 a.m. — ending more than 60 years of in-person banking in the county.

Customers are being redirected to the nearest Wells Fargo branch in Redmond, located at 617 SW Sixth Street, approximately 26 miles away — a significant distance for Madras-area residents who rely on in-person banking services, as well as for residents of more remote parts of the county such as Culver, Metolius, Crooked River Ranch, and Warm Springs.

Community Reaction Has Been Sharp

The closure announcement, made in April, drew immediate backlash from longtime customers. Many expressed frustration with being asked to travel to Redmond for services they’ve accessed locally for decades.

Madras resident Anna Henry, who has banked at the Wells Fargo branch since moving to town in 1990, described herself as “totally and completely brokenhearted” over the decision.

“Why should they move something that’s already been a structure here? So many people here are using them, and it’s convenient,” Henry said. After hearing the news, she went into the branch and filed a formal complaint. “The two people that were in line behind me — they were coming in to do the exact same thing.”

Henry, who is 72 and retired, said the personal connection she has with staff is irreplaceable. “Being able to walk into the bank and see these happy, smiling faces wanting to help me and knowing my name and everything. It just brightens your day.”

Other residents have been more pragmatic. Gordo Bryant said he rarely enters the branch anyway and has already shifted much of his banking to MidOregon Credit Union to avoid Wells Fargo’s fees. Still, he acknowledged the closure is another signal of economic contraction in the community.

Wells Fargo Cites Network “Optimization”

The bank released a statement framing the closure as part of a broader strategy of “optimizing” its branch footprint based on customer demand and digital usage trends.

“We are actively investing in our branch network by opening new locations and refurbishing our entire network,” a Wells Fargo spokesperson wrote. “As we optimize our branch network, we are focused on enhancing our branch presence based on customer demand and changes to the retail landscape.”

Wells Fargo recently announced it has surpassed one billion interactions through its AI-powered virtual assistant and has more than 33 million mobile banking users — suggesting the company believes digital services can absorb the customer base left behind by physical closures.

What Customers Should Do Now

Wells Fargo customers in Jefferson County have until June 24 to transition their accounts or banking routines. Residents may want to explore local alternatives, including:

  • MidOregon Credit Union — local, member-owned, with branches in Madras
  • Umpqua Bank and other regional institutions with Central Oregon presence
  • Online and mobile banking options from Wells Fargo itself

For more information about the closure or to make arrangements, visit your local Wells Fargo branch before June 24 or call Wells Fargo customer service.