A small bank branch closure in Kelmscott could hurt local businesses and inconvenience the elderly according to one Kelmscott woman.
Commonwealth Bank’s Kelmscott branch on Albany Highway will close on May 18 and bank customer June Lewis said her first thought upon hearing the news was concern for locals.
The next closest branch is in Armadale and Ms Lewis said that if people from the area have to commute to Armadale to do their banking, they will likely also do their shopping there – and that is bad news for Kelmscott businesses.
“I think it will affect a lot of people,” she said.
“Everybody will need to go to Armadale and a lot of elderly people will have to use the bus to do this.”
A regular Transperth bus from Kelmscott to Armadale takes about 30 minutes each way.
A Commonwealth Bank spokesperson told The Examiner that their decision to close the Kelmscott branch was made after they noted a 30 per cent drop in transactions over five years.
“Customers are increasingly choosing other banking channels to complete their banking using our mobile, online and phone banking services,” she said.
“[We] understand that some members of the community will be disappointed.”
The spokesperson said the ATM would remain in its current place and advised businesses will still be able to make withdrawals, deposits and bill payments at Australia Post.
