Overview

• Bendigo Bank will shut 10 branches across Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania between August 1 and October 31 in response to shifting customer preferences and cost pressures
• The closures include six Victorian outlets and two each in Queensland and Tasmania, leaving five communities without any in-person banking services
• Local mayors and MPs have warned that residents and small businesses will face significant travel burdens or rely solely on limited Australia Post banking options
• Finance Sector Union national secretary Julia Angrisano called the decision a “slap in the face” for customers and urged legislation to designate banking as an essential service
• About 30 staff members are expected to be affected, and the bank says it is working to find internal redeployment opportunities