The businesses are being used as the major source of cash withdrawals as locals come to terms with how best to complete their daily banking requirements since the July 30 closure.
There is one remaining auto teller machine in Rochester, at the Bendigo Bank branch, but a transaction for a non-member carries with it a $2.50 charge.
The Bendigo Bank also offers services to customers in its branch.
Neither the post office nor the IGA offer all the services that customers, be they individual or businesses, would have previously used at the Commonwealth Bank.
Major's IGA owner Brad Major has clarified that the bank did not contact the business prior to informing the Campaspe News that the supermarket offered cash-out services.
“We are happy to help out where we can, but we don't have the volume of cash coming in to support the kinds of withdrawals that people want,” Mr Major said.
“Eighty to 90 per cent of the money coming in is via card now.
“We understand people's frustrations.
“The alternative is the Bendigo Bank or the post office.”
Rochester Business Network president Glenda Nichol said the impact of the Commonwealth Bank closure on July 30 for Rochester businesses was not insurmountable.
“A lot of businesses prepared for the closure well before it occurred and many businesses bank online,” Mrs Nichol said.
“I feel more for the elderly members of the community.”
Mrs Nichol said the closure was sudden and disappointing and it affected the older members of the community more than the business community.
“There are people in Rochester who do not know how to do online banking,” she said.
“I feel very sorry for those people.
“The Commonwealth (Bank) provided an excellent service.
“We've now lost the NAB, Westpac and the ANZ — this is just the latest.”
Mrs Nichol said while banking was an individual decision for business, there was a ready-made option available to Rochester businesses.
“The community bank provides an excellent service,” she said.
“I couldn't run my business without having a bank in town.
“Every business is different and they will make their own mind up.”
She said if businesses dealt with cash they required a banking service in town.
“I have always been with the Bendigo Bank, but people will make their own decision,” Mrs Nichol said.
Rochester Post Office licensee Stewart Rae said there had been a marked increase in transactions.
“It's made quite a noticeable difference to the amount of transactions we do, up to 20 more a day,” Mr Rae said.
“There are no queues, but a lot more people are coming through the door with their banking.”
Mr Rae said being aware of the impending closure had allowed people to be somewhat prepared for the change.
“People are not particularly happy about the closure, but we are able to help out with basic withdrawals and deposits,” he said.
“We've had posters up everywhere and the bank has also done some publicity.
“There are some things, though, that we cannot do here.”
Mr Rae said business banking was a more complicated process and some businesses could not complete their banking at the post office.
“Half a dozen businesses are doing their banking with us now.”
There is no charge for withdrawals made at Bank@Post services in Rochester.
The Commonwealth Bank was contacted by the Campaspe News for comment, and has said that "CBA understood from local team members that the service was available from the IGA . . . At the time, we understood this to be true.”
At the time of publication, Bendigo Bank was not available for comment.
Customers wanting to get cash out in Rochester can do so from the Bendigo Bank ATM at 24 Gillies St with the aforementioned $2.50 surcharge, or from the Rochester Post Office as a part of the Bank@Post initiative at 38 Moore St.
