Book Description

In almost half the communities in small town and rural Canada that have a post office, there are no bank or credit union branches; Only about fifty-four bank and credit union branches exist in the over 615 First Nations communities in Canada; A growing number of urban areas in Canada have no accessible banks or credit unions Why Canada Needs Postal Banking offers a plethora of information about the banking industry that will shock ordinary Canadians. In explaining the banking system that many of us take for granted, the author reveals a deep, and largely unrecognized, gap between the services offered in densely populated, urban spaces and those available in small towns, rural and remote regions, and Indigenous communities. As a solution to this dearth in services, John Anderson proposes a logical alternative to big, private-sector banks: the post office. Basing his argument on historical fact, international experience, and the exorbitant cost of traditional banking services, the author builds a logical and compelling case for reestablishing banking services at Canada Post. Composed of a collection of research papers, interviews, and opinion pieces, Why Canada Needs Postal Banking provides convincing and well-organized data to support the reintroduction of postal service banking in Canada. Readers can absorb survey results that document citizen, municipality, and union support for this strategy. Tables and graphics provide easy access for those who want to assess the statistical facts and figures at a glance. Written in clear, succinct, and transparent language, Why Canada Needs Postal Banking engages the reader while delivering surprising information. In a landscape where challenges seem overwhelming much of the time, this book proposes a solution that, while not without its difficulties, is implementable. It delivers answers and alternatives that support business and individuals’ needs in different parts of the economy that have been, for too long and too often, overlooked.