As technology continues to advance at a rapid pace, digital transactions are becoming the norm.

However, a heartening tale of community action proved that the customers' voice still holds weight in major corporate decisions.

In a surprising turn of events, Westpac has announced the reopening of three regional banking facilities in New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania.

This decision marked a significant victory for advocates of a cash-based society.

Westpac's establishment of banking centres in Moree, Leongatha, and Smithton came as a refreshing change to the trend of cashless payments.

Jason Bryce, the founder of the advocacy group Cash Welcome, hailed this development as a testament to the power of collective action.

Westpac's latest decision was seen as a win by cash advocates. Image Credit: Pexels/David Peterson

'Only people power will stop a cashless future from becoming reality,' Bryce stated.

'It was only 18 months ago Westpac was committed to closing regional and rural bank branches, and bank executives were talking about how to help towns go cashless.'

The new service centres would provide face-to-face support for customers.

It would also facilitate cash transactions through their automatic teller machines (ATMs).

Westpac revealed its three-year plan to introduce 150 new business bankers across these sites.

This plan reinforced the bank's commitment to serve regional areas in Australia.

Westpac chief executive Anthony Miller emphasised the importance of regional Australia in the country's economy.

'It's home to a third of the population and contributes 30 per cent to gross domestic product (GDP),' Mr Miller shared.

'We're investing in the regions because we want to support the hardworking Australians who live outside of our capital cities.'

'We have thought long and hard about how we can provide a face-to-face service for our regional customers,' Mr Miller added.

'While most customers prefer to bank online, this new model will allow us to improve the way we help personal, business and agri customers.'

Westpac's initiative was part of a broader commitment by Australia's big four banks.

Westpac, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, ANZ, and National Australia Bank agreed to a moratorium on closing any future regional branches until at least 2027.

The reopening of the Moree Westpac bank branch marked the return of its service.

The branch had been a vital part of the community for over 150 years before Westpac announced its closure in 2023.

Finance and payments expert Brad Kelly shared his thoughts about a 'cashless society' in this interview:

Source: ABC News Australia/YouTube​

Last year, Westpac faced sanctions over closing a branch in a remote Northern Territory community, which negatively impacted customers.

Meanwhile, the closures in Leongatha and Smithton in 2022 and 2023 were also met with disappointment and concern from long-term customers.

The Moree centre is set to open later this year, while the Leongatha and Smithton centres will resume operations in early 2026.

Jason Bryce welcomed the news from Westpac with open arms.

Bryce was part of a massive Cash Out Day event last year, which protested against the increasing digitisation of payment systems and the closure of ATMs and bank branches.

Event participants withdrew large sums of cash from banks and ATMs, with claims of more than half a million dollars being withdrawn collectively.

'There's been a change in mood. Two of the big four have agreed cash is here forever, so I am hopeful that we will have at least one bank branch and ATM in every town,' Bryce shared his thoughts about the news.

He expressed the desire for banks to be present in every town and for supermarkets.

He also wanted retailers to support cash transactions, barring exceptional circumstances.

This development became an indication that Australians, especially in regional areas, still demand cash services.

Key Takeaways

• Westpac announced it will reopen regional bank branches in three Australian states as a response to community needs.
• Cash Welcome, an initiative supporting cash use in Australia, highlighted the importance of 'people power' in an increasingly cashless society.
• Westpac is set to focus on face-to-face customer support and offer cash transactions through ATMs at their service centres in Moree, Leongatha, and Smithton.
• Australia's big four banks agreed to a temporary moratorium to stop closing regional branches until at least 2027.

What do you think of this massive update? Have you felt the impact of bank closures in your area? Do you prefer cash transactions over digital ones? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section below!

 

[novezar]

What do people need so much by going into a bank branch when everything can be done online? Do they miss queuing up to see someone?

In this modern age bills get paid by direct debit and for any shopping you use a debit/credit card. It's all so simple.
I've never been into any of the branches of my bank since I opened an account with them 6 years ago. Have had no need to.

Well all I can say is, that you must be one of the lucky computer nerds & freaks who know everything there needs to be known about using them & also IPhones.
I'm lucky, I don't own one, or have the the heavy debt of an associated plan. I 'm very aware that there are many varying plans available to the user. I must admit, my wife has one & is on a Tangerine plan.
There are many thousands of the aged population who can't use the wonderments of the computer etc.
For them, this is an oustanding moment for this particular segment of the community & populous in far distances, &, doing what is very comfortable for them to do their particular banking needs.

Hope you enjoyed your 59 seconds of fame.

 

[freedy50]

Well all I can say is, that you must be one of the lucky computer nerds & freaks who know everything there needs to be known about using them & also IPhones.
I'm lucky, I don't own one, or have the the heavy debt of an associated plan. I 'm very aware that there are many varying plans available to the user. I must admit, my wife has one & is on a Tangerine plan.
There are many thousands of the aged population who can't use the wonderments of the computer etc.
For them, this is an oustanding moment for this particular segment of the community & populous in far distances, &, doing what is very comfortable for them to do their particular banking needs.

Hope you enjoyed your 59 seconds of fame.

Don't know what that unnecessary outburst was about?

I don't know anything about iPhones. Never had one. Wouldn't want one. I only have android phones where I can put whatever app I want on it, not what Apple tell me to.

There are many more thousands of the "aged population" who know a lot about computers and technology. And there's many places either run by councils or private where people can learn. Not knowing is not an excuse these days.

How did you manage to write your response anyway? Did somebody help you?

 

[PattiB]

Don't know what that unnecessary outburst was about?

I don't know anything about iPhones. Never had one. Wouldn't want one. I only have android phones where I can put whatever app I want on it, not what Apple tell me to.

There are many more thousands of the "aged population" who know a lot about computers and technology. And there's many places either run by councils or private where people can learn. Not knowing is not an excuse these days.

How did you manage to write your response anyway? Did somebody help you?

Just a minor point freedy50: I have an iPhone which I love, but I put what I want on it & have actually deleted some of the Apple stuff because I have no use for it. I also have an iPad which is so easy to use. Like you, I’ve often read responses & wondered how some people manage to post anything when computers are so hard to use. As you know internet banking & bill paying is not hard, I actually taught myself to do things, with a little help from my son when I got stuck. This is why he presented me with an iPhone & iPad, because they’re so easy to use. I enjoy your posts because I agree with you. Keep it up.
Cheers, Patricia.

 

[Monks]

too little too late

And what about the other banks that have abandon their customers.

Corporate greed they do not give a sh_t about us only about the bottom line and how much the CEO will make in his unreal bonus nothing but greed

 

[Monks]

This is a positive move and change in thinking. Lets hope that a lot more banking service centres open in the future. I think because the banks have abandoned their customers, their customers have abandoned them, and now they are realising this. One can only hope.

One would only hope but at corporate level they say we loose one but there are more out there to pickup so they do not care if they loose a few they think there is plenty more out there to replace the ones that they lost plus more

 

[Monks]

MONEY TALKS PLASTIC WALKS.

LOVE IT YES that is to true

 

[Skydiver]

Fairfield Waters Townsville is our closest shopping centre, 40km away. It had Suncorp, but they closed, then Bendigo bank opened there, but they have closed now. So there is just an atm charging $3 to withdraw cash, and the Post Office which is always busy. Not happy!!

 

[NotNats]

People who work have limited time (hours) to go to a bank. Some days nobody may not go into the bank at certain times and the staff have nothing to do. Some Post Offices act as agents for banks, particularly in country areas - not all towns have Post Offices. You could pay certain bills at your Post Office too. I don't know if you can still do that. Banks no longer operate Cheque Accounts.

Not with ANZ you cant do any type of banking other than so called normal EFPOS or BankCard.

 

[Mindygirl12022]

Yes I have been affected as has everyone who lives in Stafford. The Westpac Bank closed years ago, and the Post Office as well. I'm so glad for these remote towns that they will get a bank at last. But NO, I do NOT approve or accept a large Bank (Westpac) for taking away people's op. tions in more central areas of Queensland. It is greed pure and simple that takes jobs from the staff as well as denying us access. Shame WESTPAC!

 

[Surendra Pratap]

Banks at least should have ATMs in every town. Major banks can also operative ATMs jointly so that customers do not have to pay ATM fees.

 

[HelenB55]

The big Honcho’s want us to do everything online, which might be easier for most of us, but there are still some of us who prefer face-to-face dealings.

Then, what about all the hackers? All your info if stolen in the blink of an eye, and takes months to sort everything out.

Why can’t they just leave things as they are…. using cash or card to suit your own preferences?

 

[Scaveola]

Most of my elderly friends can use a computer, some in their 90s. Two of them run Computer Pals for seniors.
I am a medical professional and use computers for work, and also internet banking.
However I use cash a lot as I find it convenient. I'm also a writer and in our writing group's monthly meeting, a $5.00 fee is charged. We also have fund- raising raffles, and we need coins to do all those things. It would be highly impractical to use bank transfers for such small amounts.

 

[MarianCatherine]

Hooray, now lets get some more in WA, you know the BIG state that the Eastern States ignore.

 

[lionelsadlier68 @gmail.com]

i live in collie wa and with NAB they dont have a bank here. Igo to good old post office to get cash out. It dose"nt cost any think to with draw cash there, used a ATM here and it cost $2.90 to with draw money from it.

 

[Clarry Fisher]

With society being individually coerced into withdrawing from each other ( divide and Conquer) with online devices. There is still a needs to be an understanding how us so called baby boomers were raised and that the baby boomers and those before us relied on face to face and social contact to be part of a social community. I can remember my dad saying look them face to face when doing a deal and shake hands as you can sense the body language before, during and after you have associated with that person, definitely less fraudsters and scammers at face to face situations and harder for them to disappear. Lets bring the power back to the people and not allow these corporate giants to use your funds to dictate how we should live and operate throughout your lives.

 

[PattiB]

Hooray, now lets get some more in WA, you know the BIG state that the Eastern States ignore.

At least you don’t get left of the map basket case Tassie.

 

[gordon1940]

Wow, just what we need, another narrow minded computer genius who can't understand that not everyone knows how to or even wants to use the internet to do their business. Open your eyes and look at the bigger picture, just because you can, doesn't mean everyone can. FFS.

I wonder whether the "Narrow Minded" ones are the ones that refuse to try, to learn and to challenge.

 

[margaretritchie48]

I don`t use online banking, it has been inconvenient when branches go missing. I like the hands on approach and don`t quite trust online banking. The closure of banks was a cost cutting measure and mean`t that many employees lost their jobs. This was also done without consultation of consumers. If you are going to trust a bank with your money, there should be resiprocal concern for the well being/wishes of their customers.

When I worked I was responsible for processing the companies bank statements (some days 6 pages long). You would not believe how many transactions could not be allocated correctly as there was little or no information shown. Had to wait until someone asked if certain monies had been received. The banks could not help as it was done on line. If when doing an online transaction if just one digit wrong goes to wrong or no account. Try to get that money back. Must admit don't miss it.