Disgruntled bank customers urged to vent their anger over bank closures

Tasmanians angry at the loss of banking services in their town are being urged to voice their feelings to the federal government. HOW TO HAVE YOUR SAY >>

TASMANIANS in towns and suburbs that have lost banking services as branches are closed can have their voices heard through a new Regional Banking Taskforce.

The federal government is seeking to maintain banking services where bank branches have closed in the regions through the taskforce and it is accepting submissions now.

Locally, the Bendigo Bank has opted to permanently close its Kingston branch, the ANZ is closing its Sandy Bay branch and nine other Tasmanian communities have learned their local Commonwealth Bank branch is among 90 Australia-wide which will have its opening hours slashed.

CBA has decided it will open for only 3½ hours a day in Deloraine, Exeter, George Town, Huonville, Latrobe, Longford, Scottsdale and St Helens and then put staff on the national phone hotline.

The cutback in opening hours follows the bank’s decision to close branches in Tasmanian towns including Penguin and St Marys.

The Commonwealth Bank has closed regional branches in Tasmania and is cutting opening hours at others. Picture NCA NewsWire / Emma Brasier.

Regional Banking Taskforce co-chairs – Assistant Treasurer Michael Sukkar and Senator Perin Davey – announced the start of public consultation by the taskforce this week.

They said insights from submissions would help the taskforce better understand the effects of branch closures and how Australians are accessing banking services. They will also help improve banking services and accessibility where branches have closed.

Submissions are invited by email to [e-mail] or by mail to: Secretariat, Regional Banking Taskforce, Financial System Division, The Treasury, Langton Crescent, Parkes ACT 2600.