Face-to-face sessions available for Geraldton Bankwest customers as branch set to close on September 25

The Bankwest branch in Geraldton will officially close its doors this week, but customers will have options available over the coming weeks despite the shopfront shutting down. Earlier this year, the bank announced 45 shopfronts would be shut down across the State, with 15 more to be converted into its parent organisation Commonwealth Bank. Data from Bankwest indicated the move was due to the transition to online banking, with less than 2 per cent of customers regularly visiting branches across the State. According to Bankwest, the Geraldton branch served about 22 customers per day on average and will close on September 25. The Jurien Bay branch, which averages nine customers per day, will be converted into a Commonwealth Bank branch. The nine employees working at the Geraldton branch when the closure was announced were all offered jobs in other areas of the company. With the closure imminent, the bank is providing non-cash services during October to help show customers how they can continue to bank safely. A Bankwest spokesperson confirmed community banking colleagues would be available on eight days throughout next month, to help members of the community with banking going forward. While cash won’t be available as part of the consultation, people can receive in-person guidance on banking safely, including how to do it securely and with confidence online, whether with Bankwest or another bank. Non-customers are also welcomed to receive advice. For customers staying with Bankwest, the bank@post service with Australia Post will remain active. The face-to-face sessions will take place on Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout October from 9.30am to 4.30pm, beginning on Tuesday October 8 at CityHive on Marine Terrace.