Council welcomes major win for Junee’s last bank branch

JUNEE’S last remaining bank branch has been guaranteed to remain open until at least the end of 2030, delivering a major win for a community that once faced losing face-to-face banking services altogether.

Commonwealth Bank has extended its commitment to keeping all regional branches open for another three-and-a-half years beyond the existing July 2027 deadline, providing greater certainty for hundreds of communities across Australia.

The announcement, made on October 1, has been welcomed by Junee Shire Council, which says the decision will help protect essential banking services for local residents and businesses.

On Thursday, Council acknowledged the significance of the commitment for Junee, where the Commonwealth Bank is the town’s only remaining bank branch.

“Junee Shire Council welcomes Commonwealth Bank’s announcement extending its commitment to maintaining regional bank branches until the end of the decade,” Council said.

“For Junee, this provides welcome certainty for our only remaining bank branch and helps protect access to essential face-to-face banking services for residents and local businesses.”

The announcement marks another significant chapter in Junee’s long-running battle to retain its banking services, after the Commonwealth Bank flagged plans to close the town’s branch in 2022.

The proposal sparked fierce opposition from residents, business owners and community leaders, whose determined campaign helped trigger a Senate inquiry into bank closures across regional Australia.

Junee became a focal point of the national debate, hosting a public hearing of the inquiry in September 2023.

During the hearing, representatives from local businesses and community organisations raised serious concerns about the consequences of losing the town’s final bank branch.

Among the issues highlighted were the difficulties faced by elderly residents and those with limited access to digital banking, along with concerns that the loss of face-to-face services could drive business and economic activity away from Junee.

Former Junee mayor Neil Smith (left) pictured at the Senate Inquiry with Council’s former general manager James Davis | Photo: Junee Shire Council

The community’s efforts ultimately helped secure a reprieve, with the Commonwealth Bank putting its closure plans on hold.

In February last year, Australia’s four major banks – Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, NAB and ANZ – reached an agreement with the Federal Government to maintain their regional branch networks until at least July 2027.

At the time, Riverina MP Michael McCormack praised Junee’s persistent advocacy, crediting the community with helping influence national banking policy.

“The announcement today comes about in no small part due to the persistence of the Junee community, who I have stood proudly alongside, in their efforts to keep their final bank branch open,” Mr McCormack said at the time.

The Commonwealth Bank has now gone a step further, independently extending its regional branch commitment until at least December 2030.

The commitment covers all 281 of the bank’s regional locations, which will continue providing cash deposits and withdrawals, everyday banking and business banking services.

Commonwealth Bank chief executive Matt Comyn said the decision recognised the importance of maintaining a physical banking presence in regional Australia.

“Regional communities are central to the Australian economy and our way of life,” Mr Comyn said.

“We have been part of these communities for generations, and today we are providing certainty that every one of our regional branches will remain open into the next decade.”

The bank also announced plans to invest $140 million in branch upgrades during the 2026–27 financial year, with improvements targeting accessibility, technology, staffing, customer service and waiting times.

Across Australia, Commonwealth Bank operates more than 600 branches and maintains a network of more than 1,700 ATMs.

Its partnership with Australia Post’s Bank@Post service has also been extended until 2032, providing access to basic banking services through approximately 3,300 post offices nationwide.

For regional communities such as Junee, where access to physical banking services has steadily declined, Council says maintaining the remaining branch is particularly important for those who cannot easily access online alternatives.

“Access to banking services remains an important issue for regional communities, particularly for those who rely on in-person assistance,” Council said.

“Council welcomes this commitment and recognises the importance of maintaining essential services in regional towns such as Junee.”

While the latest announcement provides Junee with certainty for the remainder of the decade, the Commonwealth Bank has acknowledged that a longer-term, sustainable solution for regional banking remains a priority.

The bank says it will continue working with the broader banking industry to address the future of face-to-face services beyond its current commitment.