BREAKING NEWS:
The Commonwealth Bank branch in Bright will not be closing on April 28, as previously announced.
This morning I met with a senior representative from the Commonwealth Bank to express my dismay and concern about the bank’s decision to close the Bright branch.
I am pleased the Commonwealth Bank has now announced it will suspend that decision until the end of the year.
Bright branch is an important part of the community, with elderly residents in particular relying on it for their banking needs. Bright has a significantly older than average population, with 35% of residents being over the age of 60 compared with 23% across Victoria.
Last week a Senate inquiry into regional bank closures was announced. I am hopeful that through this process, the big banks will properly consider the way in which they service regional towns.
They must properly consult with communities and consider the impact of potential closures before taking decisions which have a serious impact on communities.
Other towns in Indi are also facing closure of banks in their towns, including NAB in Alexandra. I am hopeful that those banks will also reconsider their decisions and make similar announcements in the near future. I’ll keep you updated.