WESTPAC has closed its Victoria Point branch in a blow to customers who had been waiting for the store to reopen after the bank announced a temporary closure late last year.
A Westpac spokeswoman confirmed the store had closed its doors for good on May 7 and amalgamated with the Cleveland branch about nine kilometres away.
The closure has left several customers fuming, including Redland Bay man Barry Seller who said customers had been treated disgracefully.
The 88-year-old spoke to the Redland City Bulletin in January about his disappointment at the Victoria Point branch's temporary closure, saying customers had been given the mushroom treatment.
He has since moved to close three Westpac accounts and taken his business to the Bank of Queensland.
"On several occasions they promised they would let us know (about the fate of the store), but it was all a pack of lies," Mr Seller said.
"They never had any intention of going back there.
"The sheer arrogance of them. Their excuse was the floor traffic was diminishing.
"They never knew that. Every time I went there, if you wanted to talk to a banker, you had to make an appointment."
The bank has been under pressure lately, with the federal government agency AUSTRAC ordering it pay $1.3 billion in fines last year after being found to have breached anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing laws.
The fines were the highest civil penalty in Australian history.
Westpac admitted to several compliance breaches, including failure to properly report International Funds Transfer Instructions amounting to more than $11 billion.
"I'm sure it was a hell of a knock to them, and they have just decided to get rid of all of those little branches," Mr Seller said.
Westpac has co-located six regional branches and amalgamated 38 metro stores.
Victoria Point and Mackay North are the only two branches to close in the last 12 months.
A Westpac spokeswoman said there had been a seismic shift towards digital and cash-less banking, and less foot traffic in bank branches.
"When we do close a branch, it is not a decision we take lightly," she said.
"Branches will continue to remain an important service option, especially in areas that have high customer usage."
Mr Seller said it was unfair that people, particularly members of the older generation, would need to travel elsewhere to visit a Westpac branch.
"I hate using a mobile phone," he said. "I will not do internet banking. I want to go into the branch, and I want to see the colour of the banker's eyes.
"How many 60, 70 and 80-year-olds are sitting with a bloody computer because of the banks."
The Westpac spokeswoman said Victoria Point customers could still use the Bank@Post service at Australia Post.
"Customers can deposit cash, cheques, withdraw cash and check account balances, free of charge," she said.
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