Bendigo Bank withdraws from three Southern Riverina towns

Bendigo Bank has also advised Murrumbidgee Council that the Darlington Point and Jerilderie agencies co-located with its offices will close on October 20 and 13 respectively.

The agencies are among 28 set to shut later this year.

After the closure, the nearest Bendigo Bank to Berrigan will be 80km away in Deniliquin.

Coleambally’s branch will also continue to operate, which is 31km from Darlington point and 70km from Jerilderie.

Community members in Jerilderie have said the change is particularly hard on the elderly community that still heavily rely on cash transactions.

Murrumbidgee Council Mayor Ruth McRae OAM said several residents, including herself, were greatly disappointed with the bank’s decision.

“I am incredibly disappointed in Bendigo Bank’s decision to close the agencies that are currently based in our Darlington Point and Jerilderie offices.

“I have fielded numerous calls from residents who are concerned about the bank’s decision and the loss of services.

“It’s a real blow to our community.

“This decision will have the greatest impact on our most vulnerable residents, including seniors, people with limited digital access and small businesses.

“We recognise that banking is moving online, but face-to-face services remain essential for many people in rural areas, where digital connectivity is still not reliable or accessible for all.

“Once these services close, residents and businesspeople who require face-to-face banking will need to travel to neighbouring towns to access their facilities.

“However, both the Darlington Point and Jerilderie communities will still have access to ATMs for cash withdrawals and basic transactions.

“While the loss of face-to-face banking is far from ideal, I encourage everyone to contact the bank as soon as possible to discuss your options before the agencies close.

“Bank staff can guide you through alternative banking methods, including phone, online banking and mobile app services, and help you find a solution.

“I reiterate this was not a council decision, and we share the disappointment of the community. We ask that everyone be respectful of our staff as we all navigate a way forward.

“While this is a challenging change, our communities are strong, and we will keep pushing for better services for our area.”

Berrigan Shire Council Mayor Julia Cornwell McKean also expressed disappointment, saying the decision to close the branches was “another example of inequitable access to services for those in rural, regional and remote Australia.”

“We’re proud of the local service the Berrigan agency has provided over the past eight years. Taking on the agency was a decision made by council not because it is our core work, but because it filled a need in our community.

“Berrigan Shire Council is disappointed by the decision taken by the bank to cease its agency operations.

“Decisions such as this disproportionately impact on small communities such as ours, who have borne the brunt of bank closures for years.

“We will continue to fight for equity, however, in the meantime, we will focus on helping residents navigate the transition with clear communication and support.”

Bendigo Bank advised both councils that evolving customer preferences, reduced in-person banking activity, and increasing compliance costs have made the current agency model in place in both councils “unsustainable”.

Bendigo Bank chief customer officer consumer Taso Corolis said it was also based on customers’ changing needs.

“To preserve what makes our bank unique, we must prioritise our investments across both physical and digital channels to continue meeting the changing needs and growing expectations of our 2.7 million customers,” he said.

“We understand it may take time for some customers to adjust to these changes, and we will support them through this. We are proactively supporting customers affected by the closures and will offer them assistance.”

There will be no changes to how accounts operate, so customers do not need to take any action.

For more information or assistance, residents can contact Bendigo Bank on 1300 236 344 or visit www.bendigobank.com.au.