Bendigo Bank to close Cunderdin agency, forcing locals to make 120km return journey for basic banking service

Cunderdin’s transaction agency operated by Bendigo Bank will close this year as part of a nationwide reduction in agency services. The Wheatbelt agency — which provides limited banking services through the Cunderdin Farmers Co-operative — was the only WA location among 28 outlets nationally scheduled to close in October. Outlets in New South Wales, Queensland, and South Australia are also on the closure list. The closure has been labelled a significant blow to the local community, who will now have to make a 120km round trip to access banking services in York or Northam. The agency was established after the town’s Westpac branch was closed at least 10 years ago and has since provided the community with essential services such as cash withdrawals, floats for the local football club, and general banking. Shire of Cunderdin president Alison Harris said the move was “incredibly disappointing”, and would be felt by individuals, local businesses, and local sporting groups. “It is really disappointing to be losing another major service in town,” she said. “The Shire found out via social media... there was no consultation from a Shire point of view. “This will affect all of the demographic, particularly our elderly, and those that are not very mobile… but also our local sporting groups and local businesses. “But most disappointing part is that Bendigo markets themselves as a community bank… they pride themselves on that, and this is not a community decision at all.” Bendigo Bank chief customer officer for consumer banking, Taso Corolis, said the agency model was being phased out due to “decreasing customer use.” Established 30 years ago, the model allowed limited banking services via third parties in areas where customer demand was insufficient to sustain a full branch. “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,” Mr Coroli said. He added that affected customers would be connected with their closest alternate service. Central Wheatbelt MLA Lachlan Hunter labelled the news a “deep disappointment”. “This abrupt removal of service will force residents to travel nearly 120 km round-trip for basic banking, undermining the resilience of our rural community,” he said. “I have written directly to Bendigo Bank to ask why this decision was made — and to express my profound disappointment that no prior consultation occurred. Local customers and the Co-op had no warning and no opportunity to engage. “Country communities already face mounting service cuts, and banking is no exception. “We need better outcomes and genuine discussion about the future of banking in regional WA.” The Bendigo Bank brand did not sign the two-year regional bank branch moratorium confirmed by Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers in February, following a Senate inquiry into the closure of regional banks that began earlier this year.