Bankwest to shut South Perth branch

Bankwest will shut down its South Perth branch in November citing consistently low customer visits in what is the latest blow to instore banking.

It comes after the bank shut its Subiaco branch in July, claiming an increase in digital preferences, alternative banking services and the transition of its business customers to its parent company Commonwealth Bank as reasons for its closure. 

Bankwest today confirmed it will permanently close its South Perth branch in Mends Street Arcade on November 16 due to “consistently low customer visits and the close proximity of alternative banking services.”

General manager personal banking Scott Spittles said Bankwest consistently reviewed its services to ensure it focused investment on meeting changing customer needs.

He said branch use had been declining significantly in recent years.

“Customers increasingly expect access to digital services that enable them to do their banking in their own time, driving a decline in branch use, which we expect to accelerate with the transition of Bankwest business customers to CBA,” Mr Spittles said.

“Our partnership with Australia Post provides customers access to Bank@Post services, which can facilitate many everyday transactions, such as deposits, withdrawals, and balance enquiries.

“We expect to operate fewer branches in the future as customer preferences shift to digital options, but we'll continue to communicate with, and support, customers impacted through a balanced range of digital and face to face services.”

Last year, the Commonwealth Bank subsidiary announced the planned closure of its 14 east coast branches and a reduction in opening hours at 29 regional branches in Western Australia.

At the time, Bankwest said the opening hours at most of its regional branches would move to between two and four days per week.