CAPALABA MP Don Brown says he will not stand idly by as Westpac Banking Group moves to close St George Bank branches at Capalaba and Victoria Point and sack staff just before Christmas.
Mr Brown said he had written to Westpac chief executive Brian Hartzer to protest the closures amid concern for the jobs that will be lost as a result.
A total of 28 employees are expected to be affected including those working at branches earmarked for closure in Ashgrove, Kippa Ring, Morayfield and Loganholme.
"My electorate office is in the same shopping complex as the Capalaba St George Bank and I know some of these workers personally," Mr Brown said.
"If these banks close, there will be no St George branch in the Redlands and some elderly residents will find it too difficult to go all the way to Carindale to do their banking."
A St George Bank spokesperson said usage, location, proximity to other services and fee-free ATMs were factored in to their decision to close the branches.
"Over the past few years, we've experienced a significant decline in customer transactions undertaken in some of our branches, as more and more customers choose to do their banking in different ways, for example digital banking," they said.
"Less than two per cent of transactions are happening in our branches, while at the same time more than 80 per cent of our customers are using our digital channels.
"We are continuing to invest in Queensland branches where our customers are choosing to bank, including expanding and improving our branches in high traffic areas.
"We have also invested in Bank@Post, where customers who prefer over the counter transactions can undertake their everyday banking, make withdrawals and deposits."
The St George spokesperson did not confirm how many employees would be made redundant or when the branches were expected to close.
Redlands MP Kim Richards said the big banks were turning their backs on customers and employees despite pulling in record profits.
"I'm stunned St George Bank...are planning to sack 28 workers right before Christmas," Ms Richards said.
"The Redlands is home to many retired Queenslanders and they have an expectation their local bank branch will not abandon them.
"As the Banking Royal Commission made clear, the community's trust in our big banks is broken and it won't be rebuilt by betraying workers and customers."
Finance Sector Union state secretary Wendy Streets said St George branches were drastically understaffed but it was likely only four employees would be redeployed after the closures.
Mr Brown said the decision showed banks were putting profits ahead of people.
His call comes after the Reserve Bank of Australia cut interest rates to a record-low 0.75 per cent in early October.
"...We've created a petition for locals to let the banks know we will not stand idly by..." he said.
"I encourage everyone in the Redlands and other affected communities to sign our petition."
St George Bank joins Victoria Point NAB and Cleveland's Suncorp and Heritage banks on the long list of recently closed Redlands branches.
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