Residents in Carman and area will have one less banking option. The TD bank branch will close its doors for good later this summer after serving the community since 1976.

Dean Paddock, Manager, Corporate & Public Affairs for TD Bank, says an overall decline in how the Carman branch is used for everyday transactions led to the decision to close.

"We've made the difficult decision to merge this location with our branch in Portage la Prairie. The new branch has more parking, longer hours and is open 6 days a week," said Paddock. "We will work with our customers and businesses to try to make this transition as easy as possible to the new branch and to continue using all the banking options available to them like ATM, phone and internet banking."

Kate Petrie, president of the Carman and Community Chamber of Commerce, said she was shocked by the news.

"I know that's a strong word, but it's a real disappointment when we see a business, that we normally consider to be a stable business, closing its doors."

Petrie says the decision means, not only the loss of a banking service in town, but the loss of several jobs as well.

"I think its going to cause a little bit of a stir for the people who bank there because they are now going to have to move with them to Portage or find another local financial institution to do their banking at. It's also very sad for those losing their jobs who will now have to find another job in the community. It's also, unfortunately, another empty building for us on Main Street."

A total of 4 jobs will be lost when the Carman TD branch closes on August 18.