‘Upset’: Bannockburn Bendigo Bank closes doors

Bendigo Bank will close branches in Bannockburn and central Geelong, leaving many customers “upset” that they will be without face-to-face services.

Bendigo Bank will close branches in Bannockburn and central Geelong, leaving many customers “upset” that they will be without face-to-face services.

Staff from the bank’s Bannockburn branch sent an email to customers on Monday confirming the branch would close on September 26.

The closure will leave the town without a physical bank branch.

“We’re reaching out to let you know about an upcoming change impacting our Bendigo Bank Bannockburn branch,” the email read.

“Due to changing customer banking habits and the need to invest our broader services, we’ve made the difficult decision to close this branch.

“We understand this news may be disappointing, and we want to assure you that we’re committed to supporting you through this transition.”

The bank’s central Geelong branch, at the corner of Malop and Moorabool streets, will also close with its last day of trading on August 1.

Customers have instead been directed to branches in Geelong West and Corio.

A Bendigo Bank spokesman said: “Bendigo Bank maintains more branches per customer than any other Australian Bank.”

Finance Sector Union national secretary Julia Angrisano said the bank was closing 10 branches across Australia.

“To close 10 branches, five in regional communities with no other bank branch, is a slap in the face from a bank which most Australians know as the largest regionally based bank, and a supporter of regional communities,” Ms Angrisano said.

She said 32 jobs were expected to be affected, as well as a number of small communities.

“Three Victorian communities – Bannockburn, Korumburra Yarram, along with Malanda in Queensland, and Queenstown in Tasmania will lose the last of their local bank branches,” Ms Angrisano said.

A social media user took to Facebook to say they felt “let down” by the bank’s Bannockburn branch closure.

“We need a local bank,” they said.

“Not just for us personally but think of our older community members who maybe can’t drive to Geelong or Lara.

“They need to be able to do their banking locally.

“We’ve placed our complaint. Please do the same Bannockburn.”

Another person said the move had them feeling “upset”.

The Geelong region has lost of a number of bank branches in recent years.

The Bank of Melbourne closed its Geelong Westfield branch in December last year, while Commonwealth Bank shut its Drysdale branch in 2022.

Bendigo Bank shut its Belmont and Newcomb branches in 2022, while ANZ and NAB also shut branches.

Originally published as ‘Upset’: Bannockburn Bendigo Bank closes doors