Major bank branch closure an ‘impost’ to local customers

A major bank will close one of its three branches in South Australia’s Riverland, citing a change in consumer habits and the move to online banking as major factors. 

ANZ’s general manager for South Australia, Kathleen Jahour, confirmed that the Loxton ANZ branch will close its doors on January 12, 2022. 

Mayor of Loxton Waikerie Leon Stasinowski said he was disappointed to hear the news.

“With a place the size of Loxton and the big area it covers it would have been worthwhile keeping a branch open,” he said.

In a statement to the ABC, Ms Jahour said a drop in face-to-face transactions across its South Australian banks contributed to the closure of the Loxton branch.

“Over the past four years, in-branch transactions have dropped on average about 50 per cent across our network,” she said.

Banking options limited in town

To access an ANZ branch from January onwards, customers in the Loxton area will need to travel either to Berri, approximately 22 kilometres away, or Waikerie, 74km away. 

“In the city, you hear of bank closures and that’s one thing but here we cover a huge area. A lot of people travel 50, 60, 80km to come to Loxton to do their business,” Mayor Stasinwoski said.

The bank did not confirm how many employees would be affected by the closure but Ms Jahour said the bank would work with them to stay within the company. 

“For those employees who wish to stay with ANZ we will make every effort to find redeployment opportunities within the bank,” Ms Jahour said.

Mayor Stasinowski encouraged people to reconsider their banking options in light of the closure. 

“I would advise people to think twice about keeping with the bank and go to your local one that is actually serving your local community,” he said.