Commonwealth Bank sparks outrage over huge branch decision: It is preposterous
The Commonwealth Bank has sparked outrage over plans to close a branch that has been operating for more than 60 years.
The Commonwealth Bank has sparked outrage over plans to close a branch that has been operating for more than 60 years.
The Big Four bank announced it will ‘permanently close’ the Doonside branch, in western Sydney, at 4pm on November 29.
The branch opened on September 21, 1964.
The bank blamed a 50 per cent decline in customers over the past five years for the closure, the Blacktown Advocate reported.
The branch is the latest to close in the area in recent years which includes Blacktowns Main Street, Kings Langley, Rooty Hill, Pendle Hill and Toongabbie.
An online petition was created last month in an attempt to keep the Doonside branch open labelling it a pillar of the community.
‘The branch is an integral part of life in Doonside, oftentimes functioning at peak capacity due to its pivotal role in the community, it read.
Other branches have been unable to adequately accommodate the needs of the local population, as demonstrated by their frequently long lines.’
Local residents are outraged the Commonwealth Bank is closing the Doonside branch (pictured) in Sydneys west after over 60 years
Local residents who have signed the petition expressed their anger at the branch closing.
Many mentioned the areas aging population who prefer to go into a branch.
‘Not everyone uses internet banking! We need to ensure those in our community are still able to access essential services such as a bank, one wrote.
‘This bank should remain open due to a large pensioner population the area also the Commonwealth Bank at Westpoint is always very busy with long wait times & customers lined outside the bank which is an annoyance, another added.
‘Doonside CBA services a community greatly made up of the elderly and disabled who are unable to use technology or have the mobility to travel to other branches,’ a third wrote.
Blacktown MP Stephen Bali addressed NSW Parliament last month about the closure.
For a bank that in 2023-24 generated $9.48 billion in profits, it is preposterous to shut down the Doonside branch, which provides services to so many people, he said.
In its correspondence, the bank said that customers can use the brand-new, larger Westpoint branch.
A petition has been created with many Commonwealth Bank customers expressing their anger at the closure of the Doonside branch
There were two branches in Blacktown but they were merged into one smaller branch, which is atrocious.
We, the people of 2767, will stand up and make sure that branch stays open.
Commonwealth Banks general manager of Sydney region Irene Rowlands told Daily Mail Australia said other branches would remain open.
Our Westpoint Blacktown, Mount Druitt and Seven Hills Shopping Centre branches are popular banking centres for the Doonside community, and as a result we’ve invested $5.1 million to expand our services for customers in the area, she said.
These are larger branches, with more staff at each location, including home lending specialists, business bankers, and access to convenient self-service technology.
