Moree has celebrated the return of face-to-face banking services this week, with Westpac officially opening its brand new Regional Service Centre at 84 Balo Street on Monday.
The opening marks a significant milestone for the community, coming more than two years after Westpac closed its Moree branch in February 2023.
Moree Plains Shire Council Mayor, Cr Susannah Pearse, said the new Service Centre was a show of confidence in both Moree and regional Australia.
“Council are so pleased and excited to see Westpac reopen doors to the general public here in Moree,” said Cr Pearse.
The new Regional Service Centres will offer face-to-face support for retail and business customers, digital banking assistance, and access to cash via Smart ATMs, with bankers on hand to assist. Services such as identity verification, lending support, and fraud and scam assistance will also be available.
“Bank branches have been in a serious state of decline across the country, with more than 2100 branches closing between 2017 and 2023.
“Our community is bucking this trend – NAB has recently undertaken a major renovation of their premises in town, while the Commonwealth Bank, Suncorp, Regional Australia Bank and Rabobank all have branches in Moree.
“Westpac have also maintained a presence in our Shire through their agribusiness operations, but for them to reopen their services to the general public for everyday banking speaks to the confidence Australian businesses have in our Shire,” Mayor Pearse said.
Westpac CEO Anthony Miller said the new centre in Moree is part of the bank’s investment in regional Australia.
“Two years ago we announced a moratorium on regional branch closures while we review and strengthen our regional banking services. Today marks an important step in delivering on that commitment,” Mr Miller said.
“Regional Australia is pivotal to the nation’s economy. It’s home to a third of the population and contributes 30% to GDP. We’re investing in the regions because we want to support the hardworking Australians who live outside of our capital cities.”
“Moree Plains has such a bright future,” Mayor Pearse said. “Our population is expanding, we are on the verge of being connected to the Inland Rail, and the Moree Special Activation Precinct is going to be a huge boon for our local economy, which is already the most productive agricultural shire in Australia.
“Westpac have recognised the vital role regional and rural areas play in the ongoing growth of Australia and Council welcomes the opening of the Regional Service Centre.”
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