Security threat closes all Meridian branches

A security threat forced Meridian Credit Union to close all of its branches at noon and send its employees home Monday.

Scott Windsor, Meridian’s vice-president of corporate communications, said safety of employees was the No. 1 concern.

“As a result, we have closed all Meridian and motusbank offices, branches and business banking centres today,” he said. “All employees were asked to leave their locations immediately.”

The company’s digital fullbanking service is “motusbank.”

Windsor said Meridian is cooperating with Toronto police and an investigation is active, limiting the credit union’s ability to share information.

The credit union is Ontario’s largest and has 86 branches as well as 11 commercial banking centres. The company’s headquarters is in St. Catharines on Corporate Park Drive.

“They evacuated every branch in the entire company,” said a Meridian staffer who isn’t named because she isn’t authorized to speak on behalf of the company. “We don’t know why though. We were just told that there is a security threat and we need to leave.”

A sign posted on the door of the Meridian branch in downtown St. Catharines on King Street said: “Due to unforeseen circumstances all Meridian locations are closed today. Service continues to be available via http:// meridiancu.ca or by calling our Contact Centre at 1-866-592-2226. Thank you in advance for your co-operation. We apologize for any inconvenience.”

The same message was broadcast via Twitter.

Windsor said Meridian anticipates resuming its full business operations Tuesday.

He confirmed all of the credit union’s systems are operational and service continues to be available through online banking at meridiancu.ca, telephone banking and ATMs.