General News
29 July, 2023
Whisky the go-go as agency shuts
MARK Lacey attended to final bookwork in the minutes before Bendigo Bank closed its Pyramid Hill agency at midday last Thursday. The long-time agency owner had well-wishers calling as the end of an era drew to close, joined just moments before...
MARK Lacey attended to final bookwork in the minutes before Bendigo Bank closed its Pyramid Hill agency at midday last Thursday.
The long-time agency owner had well-wishers calling as the end of an era drew to close, joined just moments before midday by two bank representatives.
A bottle of Chivas Regal blended whisky and a card envelope were handed to Mark by bank representatives before cash was counted at the Kelly Street premises for the final time.
Pyramid Hill is one of at least 17 agencies being clowsd by the bank. Decreased transactions have been blamed for the decision that leaves the town without a bank.
Geoff and Colleen Hampson were among Pyramid Hill residents to thank Mark for his service through the bank and for the town.
And Geoff is among customers who have now moved accounts to other financial institutions.
Local post office licensee Raeleen Fletcher said: “It will be tough without the bank in town. If we were all to close at 2pm and not open again until Monday ... that’s what small towns can become when services are lost.”
“The bank’s been a service, an option, a choice and people will miss that.”
While banking facilities are available at the post office, residents now face a $2000 daily transaction limit for each card.
Raeleen said there had been increased foot traffic at the Pyramid Hill post office since Bendigo Bank’s April announcement to close the agency.