Tailem Bend’s last bank will soon close
The town’s Bank SA branch will close within months, a spokesperson has confirmed.
Tailem Bend’s last bank will close next February, Bank SA has confirmed.
The Finance Sector Union announced on Thursday that Westpac had given notice of its intention to close the town’s Bank SA branch.
A Bank SA spokesperson confirmed the decision to Murray Bridge News on Friday.
“With more digitally active customers, we’re investing in services to complement how our customers choose to bank,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
“Declining customer use of branches means that in some instances, we may take a difficult decision to leave a branch location.
“We will continue to support our customers in Tailem Bend and will work with the Coorong District Council to offer community educational services as needed.”
The branch will close on February 17, 2023.
Bank SA customers will still be able to make deposits, withdrawals or balance enquiries at the Tailem Bend post office, but will otherwise have to visit the Murray Bridge branch, call 13 13 76 or use Bank SA’s online services.
Another 22 other bank branches around Australia would also close, the union said, at a cost of 92 jobs in total.
Union secretary Julia Angrisano said she was appalled at the decision.
“We need the federal government to step in and stop the banks from deserting regional Australia,” she said.
“Banks can’t be trusted to do the right thing by regional communities because when considering whether to close branches, they only consider their massive profits and the bonuses of senior executives.
“They don’t care about bank staff and the communities which will be impacted by their decisions to shut branch doors.”
Westpac also closed its Murray Bridge branch last year and merged it with the Bank SA branch up the street.
Both banking brands are owned by the same company, along with St George Bank and the Bank of Melbourne.
At present, the bank at Tailem Bend is open from 10am-3pm Monday to Thursday and 10am-5pm on Fridays, but closes for an hour from 12.30pm each day.
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