PROTESTS have failed to save the Millicent branch of the Commonwealth Bank as its doors will close for the last time at 4pm on Friday.
The closure decision was announced in February and has been met with outspoken protests from customers, Wattle Range Council, the Millicent Business Community Association and MPs Nick McBride and Tony Pasin.
The bank has traded on the purpose-built site in George Street for the past 58 years and it currently has a staff of four.
Management has been tight-lipped about the future of staff and the freehold building.
However, falling patronage due to online banking has prompted the closure, with the Commonwealth Bank stating Millicent customers can use the Mount Gambier branch or the Millicent post office for their banking requirements.
Beyond Friday, the only banks remaining in Millicent will be the ANZ and Bank SA and this is will be the lowest number since the 1880s.
Millicent has had a credit union since the 1970s while the Bendigo Community Bank has signalled it is considering a local branch.
Among the customers to regret the closure was Millicent resident Kirk Hunt, who has been a customer for at least 50 years.
Mr Hunt does not use the automatic teller machine, but calls into the branch once a month.
“I will be sad to see it go,” Mr Hunt said.
“The branch has provided good service and I got some business loans here.
“Computers are really taking over.”
Fellow Millicent resident Michael Lambert said he had banked with the Commonwealth for the past 30 years.
“I am very disappointed at the closure,” he said.
Beachport’s Peter Hales said he regarded the closure as disgraceful.
“I have banked here from at least 1973 and I might have even been a customer back in the 1960s,” Mr Hales said.
“I am not in favour of the closure.
“We have obtained loans here for our homes and our two businesses.
“I have opened an account with the ANZ and I am thinking about closing my Commonwealth Bank accounts.”
