AFTER 11 years in Orange, Bendigo Bank is the latest to close a branch, leaving one customer disappointed and seeking other options.
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The bank confirmed the closure, which will occur on Thursday, April 9, after the Central Western Daily received copies of letters sent to customers.
John Armstrong left Bankwest nine years ago after it was purchased by the Commonwealth Bank to invest his term deposit and two cheque accounts with Bendigo.
He said he also bought a number of shares.
"As a customer, I'm devastated and disappointed," he said.
"The main [thing that's gone wrong] is there's been no visible attempt to promote the branch in Orange to keep it alive."
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Mr Armstrong said he had enjoyed the service at the branch.
"The quality of the staff and the efficiency [was great] and you were known by the people there," he said.
While he thought he could learn online banking, he was not happy to have his accounts managed from Canberra and had decided to move his money to another financial institution with a branch in Orange.
"The local post office costs more and the branches at Canowindra and Cowra are half an hour and an hour away," he said.
"If you have to sign something, is someone going to come from Canberra or are you supposed to go to Canberra?"
A Bendigo Bank spokesman said the decision was a difficult one and came after reviewing evolving customer banking habits, transaction activity and visitor numbers.
"From Thursday, April 9, account holders at the Orange branch will be automatically transferred to our corporate Canberra branch centre," he said.
"The Orange branch closure won't affect how customer accounts work - customers with general enquires and information can call us."
The spokesman said customers could also arrange for the bank's mobile relationship manager to contact them.
"Between now and the Branch's closure, Orange branch staff will be assisting customers if required, to take them step by step through the online banking experience," he said.
For those wishing to handle their transactions in person, Bendigo Bank's spokesman said customers could bank nearby at the Australia Post shop in Summer Street, or alternatively at the bank's nearest branches at Canowindra and Cowra.
He said two customer service officers and two business bankers were currently employed.
"Every effort will be made to redeploy these staff within the Bendigo Bank network," he said.
"We are currently exploring alternative arrangements for business banking."
He said the Orange branch was one of 169 company-owned branches nationally, while another 322 branches were community-owned.
The last bank to close a branch was Suncorp in 2017, however, it retained an office in Sale Street.
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