Sanctuary Point Commonwealth Bank branch to close

Residents feel they are being treated with disrespect and that Commonwealth Bank is not being loyal to the community.

Denise Newman has been with the bank for nine years.

“I think it’s terrible and it’s an inconvenience for everyone, especially the elderly residents who don’t have transport,” she said

“I can get over to Huskisson but a lot of people can’t."

She thinks the bank is putting profit before the needs of the community.

Miss Newman said the bank should invest in people and in communities like Sanctuary Point.

The branch will close on March 15 and some residents the South Coast Register spoke to on Thursday morning did not even know it was going to close.

A spokesperson for the Commonwealth Bank said the decision to close was a difficult one.

“This branch has had a 27 per cent decline in transactions over the past five years, with customers increasingly choosing other banking channels such as our mobile, online and phone banking services,” the spokesperson said.

“We understand some members of the community may be concerned, and want to assure them that during this six week transition period, our branch staff are on hand to help familiarise customers with all the existing banking options that will continue to be available.”

Meanwhile, another resident said the closure was a sign of the times and said the banks wanted people to do all their banking online.

“People who don’t have access to computers are pretty up the creek without a paddle,” he said.

He said his daughter used to go into the branch some afternoons after school to bank with her  Dollarmite account.

“It gave her the independence and confidence to go into the branch and do her banking,” he said

“They will be offering the post office to do our banking but it’s not the same sort of atmosphere.”

He will stay with the bank but is not happy with them and he feels for the older residents of Sanctuary Point.

“A lot of the older people from this area have a relationship with a lot of those people in the branch,” he said.

Another local resident does not think the Commonwealth Bank is being loyal.

“I think they are letting the community down,” he said.

“I have never been in another bank in my life and been with the Commonwealth for as long as I can remember.

“I am not planning on going to another bank but it’s all a bit disappointing.”

He also started off with a Dollarmite account.

The bank spokesperson said they were still supporting the local people.

“Customers can continue to complete personal and business banking transactions such as withdrawals, deposits and bill payments, including passbook accounts, during normal business hours and conveniently on Saturday mornings at the Australia Post outlet located at 206 Kerry Street, Sanctuary Point, less than 50 metres away,” the spokesperson said.

“Alternatively, we have two neighbouring branches at Huskisson, which is 15 minutes away, and Nowra, which is a 30-minute drive.”

The bank spokesperson added customers can also access their accounts 24 hours a day through NetBank or the CommBank App.

“We are also available for general banking enquiries via phone on 13 22 21, every day between 6 am and 10 pm,” the spokesperson added.