Michael is joined by Andrew Gee MP, federal member for Calare & Minister for Decentralisation & Regional Education, who has ­accused the big four of betraying loyal rural customers.

Minister Gee says, ‘While the Government is working to promote decentralisation and the growing trend to move to the regions, the banks are actively undermining this with a deliberate plan to close country branches.’

‘It is quite clear that both the Molong and Blayney districts are still profit centres for the bank, and that these branches are being closed merely to boost profits for the bank’s shareholders.’

‘As a further blow, executives from the Commonwealth Bank only intend to visit Blayney and Molong almost two weeks after their intended closure date of 4 June.  This is a slap in the face to the local Commonwealth Bank customers.’

‘These bank closures are a huge issue in regional Australia and we need to fight them, so that our country communities are not left behind, while the big four banks line their ever-increasing back pockets.’

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