Commonwealth Bank Pittsworth branch shuts after drop in customers

One of Australia’s largest lenders has continued the exodus of bank branches from southwest Queensland, shutting one of its locations in the Toowoomba region for a specific reason.

The Commonwealth Bank has shut a regional branch in Pittsworth.

Yet another regional bank branch has closed in southwest Queensland, after the Commonwealth Bank shut the doors at its longstanding location in Pittsworth.

The nation’s largest bank announced the decision two months ago and officially closed the branch on November 19.

CBA regional general manager Kylie Hall said the decision to close the Pittsworth branch was difficult but was motivated by a drop-off in activity.

“This branch saw a 46 per cent drop in transactions over the five years before the coronavirus pandemic,” she said in a statement.

“Our people from Pittsworth branch were all offered redeployment opportunities, including roles supporting customers over the phone and online, or roles in surrounding branches.

“Some have chosen to take on these redeployment opportunities, and others have decided to take on external options, including exploring opportunities outside the bank and retirement.

“While the team is sad to say goodbye to the Pittsworth community, they all feel very supported with the options we have provided to them.”

Ms Hall said customers in Pittsworth who wanted to bank in person could still do so in Toowoomba, noting that shift was already occurring.

“For customers who prefer face-to-face options, Bank@Post is available up the road at the Pittsworth LPO Australia Post office for banking transactions,” she said.

“We’ve recently renewed this service until 2032, so customers can continue to make withdrawals, deposits and bill payments including passbooks during normal business hours.

“The Brookstead LPO in the wider region also offers Bank@Post services.”

Pittsworth District Alliance president Bob Holzheimer said he was disappointed in the decision, but acknowledged it was a sign of the times.

“There are some things where you still need to go into the branch to do, but technology has changed banking,” he said.

Mr Holzheimer said he hoped the old branch building in Pittsworth’s main street would be filled by a new business soon.

It is yet another blow to bricks and mortar banking in rural areas, as lenders look to move customer services completely online.

Suncorp announced last month it would shut branches in Charleville and Longreach early next year, while lenders Westpac, Bank of Queensland, Heritage, ANZ and NAB have shut a combined 13 branches across southwest Queensland in recent years.