General News
24 April, 2023
We regret inconvenience: bank
BENDIGO Bank has sent letters to Pyramid Hill customers a fortnight after announcing the town’s agency will close in July. “We regret any inconvenience the cessation of this service may cause,” the bank said in it letter mailed to customers as...
BENDIGO Bank has sent letters to Pyramid Hill customers a fortnight after announcing the town’s agency will close in July.
“We regret any inconvenience the cessation of this service may cause,” the bank said in it letter mailed to customers as many were protesting in Cohuna against the closure of agencies across Victoria.
“Closing a branch or agency is never a decision we make lightly, however, as more and more customers choose to do their banking online or over the phone, our bank must respond and invest to support these changes in customer behaviour,” the bank wrote.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank Mark (Lacey) and the team at the Pyramid Hill depot for the care and support provided to our customers, particularly as we all navigated the impacts of COVID-19.
“The decision to permanently close our Pyramid Hill agency in no way reflects on the service the team has provided.
“Bendigo Bank has been well supported by the people of Pyramid Hill.”
Customers have been told transactions at the Kelly Street agency operated by owner Mark Lacey for the past seven years will end at midday on July 20.
The bank letter directs customers to use branches in Echuca or Kerang. It also says they can use Bendigo Bank ATMs although there is not an ATM in Pyramid Hill. “We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support of Bendigo Bank. We look forward to continuing to meet your banking needs.”
It says an alternative is to use banking services at post offices.
A group of Pyramid Hill and district residents joined the recentprotest in Cohuna.
Murray Plains MP Peter Walsh said: “More than 250 people turned up at the rally to protest against the Bendigo Bank’s decision to shut down its agencies in Cohuna, Pyramid Hill and Barham. This short-sighted plan will have a severe negative impact on these communities and yet another local service disappears. And it’s not just about transactions, it’s also about social transactions, the help these mini-banks give people in their communities,” he said.
“This decision is wrong and I have met with Bendigo Bank to convey that belief.” Hundreds of petition signatures were collected during the rally protesting against agency closures.”
Mr Walsh said staff from the agencies appealed for as many people as possible to attend the protest and “help them send a strong message about the need for these services in smaller regional towns”.