In an era where digital transactions are becoming the norm, it's easy to forget the importance of physical cash.

However, for many Australians, especially those in rural areas, cash remains a crucial part of daily life.

A recent incident involving a Bankwest customer in Western Australia has highlighted the growing concerns about cash accessibility and the potential implications of a cashless society.

Graeme Reid, a resident of Latham, a rural town about 300km northeast of Perth, recently embarked on a 130km round trip to his nearest Bankwest branch in Dalwallinu.

The purpose of his journey was simple: to withdraw $300 in cash. However, upon arrival, Reid's wife was denied the withdrawal.

A Bankwest customer couldn’t withdraw cash after taking a 65km trip to his nearest branch. Credit: Unsplash

The teller advised her to visit the post office for the withdrawal instead.

This incident left Reid and his wife 'absolutely gobsmacked'.

Reid expressed his disbelief, stating, ‘I said, “If you can't get money out of a bank, you may as well close” and [the teller] said, “Well, we haven't been told we're going to close, but I guess it won't be long before that happens, it's what banks are doing now.”’

The Reids were not the only ones facing this issue.

Another customer at the bank was also denied a cash withdrawal.

While the Reids were able to withdraw a limited amount of cash from their personal account at the post office, they were unable to access funds from their business account.

‘You can't do that down at the post office there because you've got to have a pin number for that account,' Reid said.

The situation in Dalwallinu is not unique.

Glen Jones, a resident, shared that many locals are frustrated with the bank's refusal to dispense cash, even when withdrawals have been pre-arranged.

Customers are being directed to a bank branch in Moora, an hour's drive away. The bank has also refused cash deposits, causing difficulties for local businesses.

'Someone like the footy club, they want to get cash out for a big function this weekend...they have to go to Moora to get the cash,' Jones said.

Jones added the bank branch also refused cash deposits, making it difficult for local businesses.

'The cafes, the roadhouses, the pubs...you can't deposit, they tell you to go and deposit at the post office, and sometimes it's not even open,' he said.

The fear among locals is that Bankwest might be considering the complete closure of the branch, following the trend of major banks shutting down hundreds of regional branches.

A Bankwest spokesperson, however, stated that the bank does not have a policy limiting the number of customers able to withdraw cash from a branch.

They added that withdrawal limits were set at $3,000 per day per customer, with higher values requiring 48 hours notice.

According to the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, almost 800 bank branches have closed in regional and rural Australia since 2017.

Recently, the National Australia Bank (NAB) has announced its decision to close five branches nationwide on 7 March 2024—Tuggeranong in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Scone in New South Wales (NSW), Emerald in Greater Melbourne, Runaway Bay on the Gold Coast, and Balmain in Sydney.

On the other hand, big banks still limit access to physical money, with NAB, ANZ, and Commonwealth Bank opening ‘cashless’ branches.

Key Takeaways

• A Bankwest customer in rural Western Australia was barred from withdrawing $300 cash at his local branch in Dalwallinu.
• Customers are being directed to a more distant branch in Moora or to use the post office for withdrawals, indicating potential service limitations at smaller branches.
• Locals worry the Dalwallinu branch may close imminently, echoing broader concerns over branch closures and banking services moving away from cash transactions.

How about you, members? Have you gone through something like what the Reids experienced? Tell us in the comments below!

 

[Mrtnst]

Not, entirely, the banking companies fault. Pressure from governments, international investment companies and the World Economic Forum to do away with cash has been steadily rising for decades.

Sometimes it is claimed to be to prevent crime, stop people avoiding tax or even to make people safer from thieves (like being forced to travel hundreds of kilometres to deposit the contents of your till is safe).

But mostly it is because they want to use their ability to control access to your money to control you.

 

[MaccaMan]

This cashless way of payment is great I will admit that, but we need to retain cash in our community especially for the elderly people who don't understand how to use card payments, I went through this with my father who was in his 90's he had no idea what to do with cashless payments and I would venture to say that he would not be the only one.
So I got the job of paying the bills for him, I don't know how the elderly get on if they haven't got a family member to help them with cashless payments. This makes it very difficult for people in this situation.

I think we have to move on from the age old argument, '...for the elderly.' It is purely for the sake of our freedom... OUR money, OUR choice.

 

[BillW41]

In an era where digital transactions are becoming the norm, it's easy to forget the importance of physical cash.

However, for many Australians, especially those in rural areas, cash remains a crucial part of daily life.

A recent incident involving a Bankwest customer in Western Australia has highlighted the growing concerns about cash accessibility and the potential implications of a cashless society.

Graeme Reid, a resident of Latham, a rural town about 300km northeast of Perth, recently embarked on a 130km round trip to his nearest Bankwest branch in Dalwallinu.

The purpose of his journey was simple: to withdraw $300 in cash. However, upon arrival, Reid's wife was denied the withdrawal.

View attachment 40115

A Bankwest customer couldn’t withdraw cash after taking a 65km trip to his nearest branch. Credit: Unsplash

The teller advised her to visit the post office for the withdrawal instead.

This incident left Reid and his wife 'absolutely gobsmacked'.

Reid expressed his disbelief, stating, ‘I said, “If you can't get money out of a bank, you may as well close” and [the teller] said, “Well, we haven't been told we're going to close, but I guess it won't be long before that happens, it's what banks are doing now.”’

The Reids were not the only ones facing this issue.

Another customer at the bank was also denied a cash withdrawal.

While the Reids were able to withdraw a limited amount of cash from their personal account at the post office, they were unable to access funds from their business account.

‘You can't do that down at the post office there because you've got to have a pin number for that account,' Reid said.

The situation in Dalwallinu is not unique.

Glen Jones, a resident, shared that many locals are frustrated with the bank's refusal to dispense cash, even when withdrawals have been pre-arranged.

Customers are being directed to a bank branch in Moora, an hour's drive away. The bank has also refused cash deposits, causing difficulties for local businesses.

'Someone like the footy club, they want to get cash out for a big function this weekend...they have to go to Moora to get the cash,' Jones said.

Jones added the bank branch also refused cash deposits, making it difficult for local businesses.

'The cafes, the roadhouses, the pubs...you can't deposit, they tell you to go and deposit at the post office, and sometimes it's not even open,' he said.

The fear among locals is that Bankwest might be considering the complete closure of the branch, following the trend of major banks shutting down hundreds of regional branches.

A Bankwest spokesperson, however, stated that the bank does not have a policy limiting the number of customers able to withdraw cash from a branch.

They added that withdrawal limits were set at $3,000 per day per customer, with higher values requiring 48 hours notice.

According to the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, almost 800 bank branches have closed in regional and rural Australia since 2017.

Recently, the National Australia Bank (NAB) has announced its decision to close five branches nationwide on 7 March 2024—Tuggeranong in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Scone in New South Wales (NSW), Emerald in Greater Melbourne, Runaway Bay on the Gold Coast, and Balmain in Sydney.

On the other hand, big banks still limit access to physical money, with NAB, ANZ, and Commonwealth Bank opening ‘cashless’ branches.

Key Takeaways

• A Bankwest customer in rural Western Australia was barred from withdrawing $300 cash at his local branch in Dalwallinu.
• Customers are being directed to a more distant branch in Moora or to use the post office for withdrawals, indicating potential service limitations at smaller branches.
• Locals worry the Dalwallinu branch may close imminently, echoing broader concerns over branch closures and banking services moving away from cash transactions.

How about you, members? Have you gone through something like what the Reids experienced? Tell us in the comments below!

As a retired bank manager, I am ashamed of the way banks are being conducted nowadays. A bank with no cash is like a pub with no beer! I used to regard the spread of bank branches being the fundamental service industry, custodians of peoples' readily accessible funds. The system has lost its way....

 

[Trudylee]

In an era where digital transactions are becoming the norm, it's easy to forget the importance of physical cash.

However, for many Australians, especially those in rural areas, cash remains a crucial part of daily life.

A recent incident involving a Bankwest customer in Western Australia has highlighted the growing concerns about cash accessibility and the potential implications of a cashless society.

Graeme Reid, a resident of Latham, a rural town about 300km northeast of Perth, recently embarked on a 130km round trip to his nearest Bankwest branch in Dalwallinu.

The purpose of his journey was simple: to withdraw $300 in cash. However, upon arrival, Reid's wife was denied the withdrawal.

View attachment 40115

A Bankwest customer couldn’t withdraw cash after taking a 65km trip to his nearest branch. Credit: Unsplash

The teller advised her to visit the post office for the withdrawal instead.

This incident left Reid and his wife 'absolutely gobsmacked'.

Reid expressed his disbelief, stating, ‘I said, “If you can't get money out of a bank, you may as well close” and [the teller] said, “Well, we haven't been told we're going to close, but I guess it won't be long before that happens, it's what banks are doing now.”’

The Reids were not the only ones facing this issue.

Another customer at the bank was also denied a cash withdrawal.

While the Reids were able to withdraw a limited amount of cash from their personal account at the post office, they were unable to access funds from their business account.

‘You can't do that down at the post office there because you've got to have a pin number for that account,' Reid said.

The situation in Dalwallinu is not unique.

Glen Jones, a resident, shared that many locals are frustrated with the bank's refusal to dispense cash, even when withdrawals have been pre-arranged.

Customers are being directed to a bank branch in Moora, an hour's drive away. The bank has also refused cash deposits, causing difficulties for local businesses.

'Someone like the footy club, they want to get cash out for a big function this weekend...they have to go to Moora to get the cash,' Jones said.

Jones added the bank branch also refused cash deposits, making it difficult for local businesses.

'The cafes, the roadhouses, the pubs...you can't deposit, they tell you to go and deposit at the post office, and sometimes it's not even open,' he said.

The fear among locals is that Bankwest might be considering the complete closure of the branch, following the trend of major banks shutting down hundreds of regional branches.

A Bankwest spokesperson, however, stated that the bank does not have a policy limiting the number of customers able to withdraw cash from a branch.

They added that withdrawal limits were set at $3,000 per day per customer, with higher values requiring 48 hours notice.

According to the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, almost 800 bank branches have closed in regional and rural Australia since 2017.

Recently, the National Australia Bank (NAB) has announced its decision to close five branches nationwide on 7 March 2024—Tuggeranong in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Scone in New South Wales (NSW), Emerald in Greater Melbourne, Runaway Bay on the Gold Coast, and Balmain in Sydney.

On the other hand, big banks still limit access to physical money, with NAB, ANZ, and Commonwealth Bank opening ‘cashless’ branches.

Key Takeaways

• A Bankwest customer in rural Western Australia was barred from withdrawing $300 cash at his local branch in Dalwallinu.
• Customers are being directed to a more distant branch in Moora or to use the post office for withdrawals, indicating potential service limitations at smaller branches.
• Locals worry the Dalwallinu branch may close imminently, echoing broader concerns over branch closures and banking services moving away from cash transactions.

How about you, members? Have you gone through something like what the Reids experienced? Tell us in the comments below!

Time We all rally and get Our Pollies off their cushy Butts ,and demand Govt to push a law change to stop these Criminal Greed driven Global Bankers , Govt create a Banking System at all Post Offices We should close Our Accounts at any Bank that Denies Our Money to be handed back to Us ,technically once Money is in their Bank its theirs this must change, The Rosthchilds Blackrock Vanguard Statestreet own far too much of the World

 

[Annie31]

Just this morning I read an article about Bankwest closing branches in WA because very few customers are withdrawing cash. How can you withdraw cash if the bank won't hand it over?

 

[Constance o6]

In an era where digital transactions are becoming the norm, it's easy to forget the importance of physical cash.

However, for many Australians, especially those in rural areas, cash remains a crucial part of daily life.

A recent incident involving a Bankwest customer in Western Australia has highlighted the growing concerns about cash accessibility and the potential implications of a cashless society.

Graeme Reid, a resident of Latham, a rural town about 300km northeast of Perth, recently embarked on a 130km round trip to his nearest Bankwest branch in Dalwallinu.

The purpose of his journey was simple: to withdraw $300 in cash. However, upon arrival, Reid's wife was denied the withdrawal.

View attachment 40115

A Bankwest customer couldn’t withdraw cash after taking a 65km trip to his nearest branch. Credit: Unsplash

The teller advised her to visit the post office for the withdrawal instead.

This incident left Reid and his wife 'absolutely gobsmacked'.

Reid expressed his disbelief, stating, ‘I said, “If you can't get money out of a bank, you may as well close” and [the teller] said, “Well, we haven't been told we're going to close, but I guess it won't be long before that happens, it's what banks are doing now.”’

The Reids were not the only ones facing this issue.

Another customer at the bank was also denied a cash withdrawal.

While the Reids were able to withdraw a limited amount of cash from their personal account at the post office, they were unable to access funds from their business account.

‘You can't do that down at the post office there because you've got to have a pin number for that account,' Reid said.

The situation in Dalwallinu is not unique.

Glen Jones, a resident, shared that many locals are frustrated with the bank's refusal to dispense cash, even when withdrawals have been pre-arranged.

Customers are being directed to a bank branch in Moora, an hour's drive away. The bank has also refused cash deposits, causing difficulties for local businesses.

'Someone like the footy club, they want to get cash out for a big function this weekend...they have to go to Moora to get the cash,' Jones said.

Jones added the bank branch also refused cash deposits, making it difficult for local businesses.

'The cafes, the roadhouses, the pubs...you can't deposit, they tell you to go and deposit at the post office, and sometimes it's not even open,' he said.

The fear among locals is that Bankwest might be considering the complete closure of the branch, following the trend of major banks shutting down hundreds of regional branches.

A Bankwest spokesperson, however, stated that the bank does not have a policy limiting the number of customers able to withdraw cash from a branch.

They added that withdrawal limits were set at $3,000 per day per customer, with higher values requiring 48 hours notice.

According to the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, almost 800 bank branches have closed in regional and rural Australia since 2017.

Recently, the National Australia Bank (NAB) has announced its decision to close five branches nationwide on 7 March 2024—Tuggeranong in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Scone in New South Wales (NSW), Emerald in Greater Melbourne, Runaway Bay on the Gold Coast, and Balmain in Sydney.

On the other hand, big banks still limit access to physical money, with NAB, ANZ, and Commonwealth Bank opening ‘cashless’ branches.

Key Takeaways

• A Bankwest customer in rural Western Australia was barred from withdrawing $300 cash at his local branch in Dalwallinu.
• Customers are being directed to a more distant branch in Moora or to use the post office for withdrawals, indicating potential service limitations at smaller branches.
• Locals worry the Dalwallinu branch may close imminently, echoing broader concerns over branch closures and banking services moving away from cash transactions.

How about you, members? Have you gone through something like what the Reids experienced? Tell us in the comments below!

You actually have difficulty speaking to the head office of a bank. I was kept waiting on the other end of the phone for over 2 hours. Finally a real person to talk to after all that time only to be cut off. The banks are closing branches and the few that remain open often have long lines of bods waiting to speak to someone. Record profits and poor service.Although having said that, when I did get someone to help me, at the bank itself, she was extremely helpful. Not everything can be done on line particularly if you are elderly and need advice.

 

[Staffordshire Whippet]

 

[IAN3005]

Tell the Bank to Transfer your accounts to another bank. Do not with draw and close. If you transfer the manager has to explain why he lost an account.

You will find the same problem there..... this ls happening everywhere.....

 

[Jest]

In an era where digital transactions are becoming the norm, it's easy to forget the importance of physical cash.

However, for many Australians, especially those in rural areas, cash remains a crucial part of daily life.

A recent incident involving a Bankwest customer in Western Australia has highlighted the growing concerns about cash accessibility and the potential implications of a cashless society.

Graeme Reid, a resident of Latham, a rural town about 300km northeast of Perth, recently embarked on a 130km round trip to his nearest Bankwest branch in Dalwallinu.

The purpose of his journey was simple: to withdraw $300 in cash. However, upon arrival, Reid's wife was denied the withdrawal.

View attachment 40115

A Bankwest customer couldn’t withdraw cash after taking a 65km trip to his nearest branch. Credit: Unsplash

The teller advised her to visit the post office for the withdrawal instead.

This incident left Reid and his wife 'absolutely gobsmacked'.

Reid expressed his disbelief, stating, ‘I said, “If you can't get money out of a bank, you may as well close” and [the teller] said, “Well, we haven't been told we're going to close, but I guess it won't be long before that happens, it's what banks are doing now.”’

The Reids were not the only ones facing this issue.

Another customer at the bank was also denied a cash withdrawal.

While the Reids were able to withdraw a limited amount of cash from their personal account at the post office, they were unable to access funds from their business account.

‘You can't do that down at the post office there because you've got to have a pin number for that account,' Reid said.

The situation in Dalwallinu is not unique.

Glen Jones, a resident, shared that many locals are frustrated with the bank's refusal to dispense cash, even when withdrawals have been pre-arranged.

Customers are being directed to a bank branch in Moora, an hour's drive away. The bank has also refused cash deposits, causing difficulties for local businesses.

'Someone like the footy club, they want to get cash out for a big function this weekend...they have to go to Moora to get the cash,' Jones said.

Jones added the bank branch also refused cash deposits, making it difficult for local businesses.

'The cafes, the roadhouses, the pubs...you can't deposit, they tell you to go and deposit at the post office, and sometimes it's not even open,' he said.

The fear among locals is that Bankwest might be considering the complete closure of the branch, following the trend of major banks shutting down hundreds of regional branches.

A Bankwest spokesperson, however, stated that the bank does not have a policy limiting the number of customers able to withdraw cash from a branch.

They added that withdrawal limits were set at $3,000 per day per customer, with higher values requiring 48 hours notice.

According to the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, almost 800 bank branches have closed in regional and rural Australia since 2017.

Recently, the National Australia Bank (NAB) has announced its decision to close five branches nationwide on 7 March 2024—Tuggeranong in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Scone in New South Wales (NSW), Emerald in Greater Melbourne, Runaway Bay on the Gold Coast, and Balmain in Sydney.

On the other hand, big banks still limit access to physical money, with NAB, ANZ, and Commonwealth Bank opening ‘cashless’ branches.

Key Takeaways

• A Bankwest customer in rural Western Australia was barred from withdrawing $300 cash at his local branch in Dalwallinu.
• Customers are being directed to a more distant branch in Moora or to use the post office for withdrawals, indicating potential service limitations at smaller branches.
• Locals worry the Dalwallinu branch may close imminently, echoing broader concerns over branch closures and banking services moving away from cash transactions.

How about you, members? Have you gone through something like what the Reids experienced? Tell us in the comments below!

a phone call would have been cheaper.

 

[Bridgit]

This sounds like a made up story. Either it's made up for sensational response from the choir or there's vital information being left off. Don't all branches also have ATMs that are more likely where someone would be directed.

In backward little towns in WA - you are joking - yes?

 

[Greg350]

Haven't been in a bank branch in years, no need, get with the times and go electronic.

 

[Singomate]

In an era where digital transactions are becoming the norm, it's easy to forget the importance of physical cash.

However, for many Australians, especially those in rural areas, cash remains a crucial part of daily life.

A recent incident involving a Bankwest customer in Western Australia has highlighted the growing concerns about cash accessibility and the potential implications of a cashless society.

Graeme Reid, a resident of Latham, a rural town about 300km northeast of Perth, recently embarked on a 130km round trip to his nearest Bankwest branch in Dalwallinu.

The purpose of his journey was simple: to withdraw $300 in cash. However, upon arrival, Reid's wife was denied the withdrawal.

View attachment 40115

A Bankwest customer couldn’t withdraw cash after taking a 65km trip to his nearest branch. Credit: Unsplash

The teller advised her to visit the post office for the withdrawal instead.

This incident left Reid and his wife 'absolutely gobsmacked'.

Reid expressed his disbelief, stating, ‘I said, “If you can't get money out of a bank, you may as well close” and [the teller] said, “Well, we haven't been told we're going to close, but I guess it won't be long before that happens, it's what banks are doing now.”’

The Reids were not the only ones facing this issue.

Another customer at the bank was also denied a cash withdrawal.

While the Reids were able to withdraw a limited amount of cash from their personal account at the post office, they were unable to access funds from their business account.

‘You can't do that down at the post office there because you've got to have a pin number for that account,' Reid said.

The situation in Dalwallinu is not unique.

Glen Jones, a resident, shared that many locals are frustrated with the bank's refusal to dispense cash, even when withdrawals have been pre-arranged.

Customers are being directed to a bank branch in Moora, an hour's drive away. The bank has also refused cash deposits, causing difficulties for local businesses.

'Someone like the footy club, they want to get cash out for a big function this weekend...they have to go to Moora to get the cash,' Jones said.

Jones added the bank branch also refused cash deposits, making it difficult for local businesses.

'The cafes, the roadhouses, the pubs...you can't deposit, they tell you to go and deposit at the post office, and sometimes it's not even open,' he said.

The fear among locals is that Bankwest might be considering the complete closure of the branch, following the trend of major banks shutting down hundreds of regional branches.

A Bankwest spokesperson, however, stated that the bank does not have a policy limiting the number of customers able to withdraw cash from a branch.

They added that withdrawal limits were set at $3,000 per day per customer, with higher values requiring 48 hours notice.

According to the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, almost 800 bank branches have closed in regional and rural Australia since 2017.

Recently, the National Australia Bank (NAB) has announced its decision to close five branches nationwide on 7 March 2024—Tuggeranong in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Scone in New South Wales (NSW), Emerald in Greater Melbourne, Runaway Bay on the Gold Coast, and Balmain in Sydney.

On the other hand, big banks still limit access to physical money, with NAB, ANZ, and Commonwealth Bank opening ‘cashless’ branches.

Key Takeaways

• A Bankwest customer in rural Western Australia was barred from withdrawing $300 cash at his local branch in Dalwallinu.
• Customers are being directed to a more distant branch in Moora or to use the post office for withdrawals, indicating potential service limitations at smaller branches.
• Locals worry the Dalwallinu branch may close imminently, echoing broader concerns over branch closures and banking services moving away from cash transactions.

How about you, members? Have you gone through something like what the Reids experienced? Tell us in the comments below!

Bank west has just announced it is completely digital, so their customers are being charged fees on top of what the bank saves by not having staffed branches, ah once again being screwed over by topend of town.

 

[David567]

Cashless banks, What's next, vegan butcher shops, foodless supermarkets. The possibilities are endless.

 

[gordon1940]

As I Retired Banker, of over 40 experience, I weep over the manner in which Banks operate today. Rather than simply complain, phone AND write to your Local Politician

and seek his stance and to convey it to you in writing. Accept. Nothing less.

 

[SGH]

Tell the Bank to Transfer your accounts to another bank. Do not with draw and close. If you transfer the manager has to explain why he lost an account.

And they won't care one bit

 

[SGH]

I remember when the bank manager was a likable person, they knew you and your family, you could talk to them and sort out money issues. Get a loan without jumping through a flaming hoop. Now we talk to machines, or worse the people in the banks treat you like second class citizens because we're retired and don't want to do online banking.
And now they are removing their own ATMs so that we have to pay extra fees for using them to withdraw our money.

 

[Tomcat]

I went to my Nab ,after checking it was reopened on google and it had a coin counting mac hine. On entering I found it was devided into rooms ,with people sitting behind. desks .waited 20 minutes for service, only to be told it was a bank ,but would not take my money. New life

 

[mylittletibbies]

This sounds like a made up story. Either it's made up for sensational response from the choir or there's vital information being left off. Don't all branches also have ATMs that are more likely where someone would be directed.

Unfortunately, no they don't. Many have removed them also. And many ATMs also now charge a fee.

 

[SEAN]

The ''BIG'' PROBLEM with this is if you have an expensive car repair, say $1200.00 and your bank wont give you ''YOUR MONEY'' to pay the car repairer what the hell are you supposed to do?? go buy a gun & hold up the bank in order to pay for the car repairs??????????????????????????

 

[bluetang]

If I could live without ANY BANKS I would
In Lithgow our local bank branches are closing a lot.

We will be losing another one this year (NAB) - I know of several people & business in Lithgow that changed to NAB after ANZ closed and now, they must change again. This is not good enough for small/rural towns. SHAME ON YOU BIG BANKS you should be closing the extra big city branches first.

And aren't the banks profiting from the increase in interest rates.? They are raking it in. If it is good enough
for the Post Office to dish out money, then so should the banks.