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!

 

[NotNats]

too little too late

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

 

[Benny's Light]

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.

 

[Susan Lyons]

This is the best news I have heard in a long time, just wish they would reopen in Werribee. Susan

 

[Noel5271]

Naracoorte, SA has closed ANZ and other banks have cut their hours. Very disappointing for those of us who prefer to use cash and speak to real people.

 

[Benny's Light]

Naracoorte, SA has closed ANZ and other banks have cut their hours. Very disappointing for those of us who prefer to use cash and speak to real people.

Cutting hours is a little bit better than closing altogether, at least there is still an operating bank there, than none at all.

 

[Towing]

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.

 

[freedy50]

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.

 

[Fireflash1]

MONEY TALKS PLASTIC WALKS.

 

[Sherril54]

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.

 

[Tugnets37]

does not help us in Morwell. We have only commonwealth bank and we have to go to Traralgon to do our banking. big thumbs down to Westpac

 

[Bill MacL]

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.

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.

 

[Tugnets37]

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.

what about the elderly people who still have bank books abd cannot use or possess a computer. Think about it especially the most elderly people.

 

[magpie1]

When the banks closed their branches in suburbia around Australia...it was the most underhanded policy that has faced so many of us who happen to dislike using internet banking for all of their financial needs. The lack of Banking options for many was seen as an overstretch by the Australian financial sector who obviously wanted to reduce the use of cash in society with the ultimate goal of a completely cashless society. There was no direct consultation with the Australian public when they decided to shut down the better part of local community branches. The affects of this gross action has created an unnecessary upheaval to the lives of so many Australians who believe that the Banks have taken away the independent use of their banking accounts and the monies therein. The fight to retain cash usage in Australia has begun already with the promise of more to come. Australians want assurance that their money held by the banks will be made available to them without restrictions to amounts held in their accounts or of receiving cash money if requested.

 

[Luckyus]

I was forced from away from using cheques by my bank, the arseholes.

 

[Ivory]

We use a face to face service in an inner regional location. The bank is very popular with many customers transferring their services so they have a cash option. Their thought is that somethings are done on-line or via an ATM but you are not able to get a question answered.

 

[Miss Chris]

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.

Online banking is obviously is the best way for you….Please understand though that there are many people who either can’t navigate online banking or just don’t want to, and maybe banks are not trustworthy anymore….there’s a lot of people who still like to have money in their pocket, it helps them to budget, and when they spend it they can see exactly where it goes and it’s more difficult to get scammed. Eventually online banking will become the only way to bank because the people coming behind the current elder population will be fully versed in doing banking this way….. I do as you do, and I find it great, but I have been around computers and programmes most of my life, but you have to respect that it’s not easy for the those who are scared of computers or navigating online sites and many don’t have a smartphone either….You comment is trite.

 

[Penny4]

The elderly people I know that aren't computer savvy don't venture into a bank. They withdrawal cash at the post office. Also, they pay bills by phone banking.

 

[RobbyNotTheRobot]

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.

Just wait until this computer genius eyes fail or gets arthritis in their hands and needs help from a real person.

 

[PattiB]

We do our banking online so don’t usually need to visit our bank but we used a bank cheque to pay for our new car, apparently it’s clears immediately whereas a direct transfer takes up to 3 days, so it’s good that our credit union still operates in the city. Most of my friends prefer to do their banking in person & while I don’t, I understand the need to keep branches open. My brother works in a bank in the loans dept. & apparently the number of people coming into the bank has reduced significantly. He also said that over several years the use of cheques had dwindled to the point of the tellers barely seeing one, which is why they been discontinued, I asked him to ask about the cheque issue a few years ago.