ABOVE: The ANZ Bank in Casino closed last month. Photo: Susanna Freymark
Susanna Freymark
More than 100 regional banks have closed in the past year.
This tally includes the ANZ Bank in Casino which closed on September 30. The bank closed their ATM at the same time.
Ninety Commonwealth Banks in regional locations have had their hours reduced this year including the one in Kyogle which is open 9.30am-1pm rather staying open to 4pm as the bank had previously done for years.
To address the demise of banking in the country, the government has set up a Regional Banking Taskforce.
To address the demise of banking in the country, the government has set up a Regional Banking Taskforce.
Minister for Regional Communities Bridget McKenzie said the taskforce would look at how to keep banking services in rural Australia.
It’s a little late with banks like ANZ. They’ve already left town.
ANZ district manager Glenn Schofield said, “there had been an increasing number of customers turning to online and digital banking, with 70 per cent of customers across ANZ preferring digital banking options”.
Casino ANZ customers were encouraged to withdraw money using EFTPOS facilities at Casino’s major supermarkets or visit the Lismore ANZ branch.
“Having access to bank branches is vital for every community, particularly for residents who are unable to use online services to conduct their banking,” Ms McKenzie said.
Bank branch closures in the regions affect the liveability of towns.
“Bank branch closures in the regions affect the liveability of towns.”
Resident Robyn Cox said it was sad to see the ANZ Bank leave Casino.
“I sent an email to ANZ telling them how disappointed I am with their decision to close our branch. I received a phone call from them giving me all the reasons why I should stay with them, I told them to keep the branch open and I would remain an ANZ customer,” Ms Cox said.
The closure of banks puts extra pressure on post offices to provide banking services.
The taskforce meets for the first time in November and includes on its panel co-chairs Senator Perin Davey and assistant Treasurer Michael Sukkar as well as representatives from ANZ, Commonwealth, NAB, Westpac, Bendigo, Adelaide and the Bank of Queensland. The Australian Banking Association, the Customer Owned Banking Association, the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Australia Post and the Australian Local Government Association are the peak bodies on the taskforce.
and then