August 5, 2021
The Commonwealth Bank has confirmed that trading hours at its Murgon branch will be slashed from October 4.
The branch, in Lamb Street, will be open to serve customers face-to-face from 9:30am to 1:00pm, Mondays to Fridays.
The Murgon branch is one of 90 Commonwealth Bank branches across regional Australia which is being affected by the change.
The decision follows the closure of Murgon’s NAB branch in April.
Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington said the CBA decision was “just another example of services being stripped from regional areas”.
Mrs Frecklington said it was extremely disappointing the Commonwealth Bank did not comprehend the importance of face-to-face services to regional towns like Murgon.
“This is like a death-by-a-thousands cuts,” she said.
“We know that once major banks start reducing their hours, they then claim not enough people are using the walk-in service and the next thing we see is branch closures.
“Regional towns like Murgon really value these types of services and once again we’re seeing large companies relinquish their commitment to serve regional areas.
“Unfortunately, this has become a common theme for the big banks, who believe they can service their customers just as well online.
“However, for community groups, and businesses, it will always be necessary for them to have access to physical banking services.
“And we all know that many people in regional areas have poor internet connection, or no computer access at all, so internet banking isn’t always the answer.
“The other thing that we’re seeing in regional Queensland is the issue of cybercrime. More and more people are being targeted in scams and there is a genuine need for victims of these crimes to be able to access their bank in person to discuss their situation.
“I am also really concerned about the staff. The Commonwealth Bank needs to ensure employment options are provided to these local staff.
“I will be writing to the Commonwealth Bank to express my disappointment about the reduction of hours at Murgon to request their decision be overturned.”
CBA executive general manager Mark Jones said the regional branches would “continue to play an important role in delivering great service to our customers now and into the future, and this is an example of how we are adapting to meet changing customers’ evolving needs while ensuring jobs stay in regional communities”.
A statement from the CBA emphasised the bank had recently renewed its partnership with Australia Post until 2032, so personal and business customers could still make withdrawals, deposits and pay bills at post offices during business hours.
- Related article: NAB To Close Murgon Branch
