Westpac is set to close down another 23 branches across Australia in a decision slammed by a union as an “appalling decimation” of the network, which would also see a number of towns lose their last bank.
The move will mean Westpac has overseen the closure of 95 branches over the past four months, according to the Finance Sector Union (FSU).
There are also 92 jobs set to be lost by the branch closures, although Westpac is not the only major bank to shutter branches this year. Julia Angrisano, FSU National Secretary, said the latest Westpac closures would have a major impact on towns which are losing their last bank including Coober Pedy, Kapunda and Tailem Bend in South Australia and Carnamah in Western Australia.
Hay in NSW will be left with just a Commonwealth Bank when the local Westpac branch closes, she added.
“We need the Federal Government to step in and stop the banks from deserting regional Australia,” she said.
“Banks can’t be trusted to do the right thing by regional communities because when considering whether to close branches, they only consider their massive profits and the bonuses of senior executives.
“They don’t care about bank staff and the communities which will be impacted by their decisions to shut branch doors.”
Click the link to read the full article:
Comments