‘Can lives here’ says Commonwealth Bank – but only until 1 pm

Sharon Webb

Lyons MP Brian Mitchell is encouraging account holders to remove their funds from the Commonwealth Bank after they announced they would close 90 Australian regional banks at 1 pm each day, effective October 4.

Tasmanian branches affected are Deloraine, Longford, Exeter, St Helens, Latrobe, George Town, Huonville, Scottsdale, St Helens and Wynyard. Deloraine is the only Commonwealth Bank in the Meander Valley.

‘Regional Tasmanians are being treated as second class citizens by arrogant and greedy banks,’ Mr Mitchell said. ‘Banks that already post multi-billion-dollar profits continue to slash services to regional customers. 

‘It’s arrogant and greedy and illustrates the contempt that big banks have for their regional customers.’

Mr Mitchell urged regional customers to, where possible, switch to a bank that supports their local community.

The Commonwealth Bank said COVID-19 accelerated its customers’ moves towards digital and contact centre services.

‘In recent years we have seen a significant increase in customers self-serving on the app or via NetBank, with CBA now serving 7.5 million digitally active customers,’ a spokesman said.

The bank said older customers are also using CBA online.

‘In a monthly comparison during 2020, more than twice as many customers over 60 accessed NetBank or the CommBank app compared with those who visited a branch in the preceding three-month period.’

CBA said visitor numbers to branches had fallen 22 per cent since last year, with some seeing customer visits fall by more than 50 per cent. 

‘Conversely, this year we have seen 6.8 million CommBank app logins a day, peaking at 10.7 million daily logins on the app and NetBank portal in April 2021.’

Lyons Liberal candidate Susie Bower said the move was disappointing.

‘I am particularly concerned how the reduction in hours will affect the elderly and small business.

‘I am writing to CBA management to express our community’s disappointment and find out if there is a will to reconsider this short-sighted decision.’