Westpac To Close Bank Branch Services

Customers are being informed of a decision by Westpac's management that Moree bank services will close on Friday 24 February 2023, including the removal of the automated teller machine at the Westpac Bank.

The bank announced the decision as part of a company reorganisation and noted that the Agribusiness side of the Moree services will remain operational.

The Westpac Banking Corporation has had a long-standing presence in the Shire with the bank being founded in Moree in 1876, and this news comes three years shy of its 150 years within the community.

Mayor Mark Johnson said to meet the needs of future growth, the Moree Plains Shire needs the support of leading banks.

“After the COVID-19 pandemic and droughts, we have exciting opportunities to ensure the growth of the Moree Plains, five years of construction in the pipeline, and $1.5 billion dollars’ worth of infrastructure projects and investment across the Shire.

Having these financial services removed will greatly impact our community, create implications for businesses needing to retain larger amounts of cash and leaves customers facing an hour's drive to the nearest Westpac office.

With the focus on migrating customers to digital banking and automation, older customers and vulnerable members of our community who use bank branch services will be significantly affected by this shutdown.

I believe that Westpac hasn't done their due diligence and is showing no consideration for rural Australians who are progressively being disadvantaged by not being able to manage their own finances in a bank branch”, stated Mayor Johnson.

Council is requesting a meeting with the CEO of Westpac, Peter King and seeking support from Richard Shields, Head of Government Relations regarding this move by the bank, a cost saving strategy banks use to increase profits but marginalise a community.

“Leaving customers to reassess their banking options is not fundamental to our long-term strategy of sustainability and growth for our Shire”, said Mayor Johnson.

With strong advocacy, and support from our State and Federal members, we are wanting to retain our local Westpac branch with full services that will help us grow and support our local community.