Bankwest closes selected east coast branches to invest in digital and broker

18 July 2018

Bankwest today announced it would close selected east coast branches, as it prioritises its investment in digital and broker/third-party offerings to meet changing customer needs.

  • 29 branches will close over a three-week period from 17 August, concentrating Bankwest’s east coast footprint into 14 key branches (further details below).
  • Impacted customers are being informed of the closures and will receive guidance on alternative banking options available to them by email, letters and store signage.
  • Closures will affect about 200 colleagues and Bankwest is placing a priority on supporting these people over the coming weeks.
  • The move is the latest step in Bankwest’s strategic refocus (announced March 2017) on evolving and improving its offering to retail and small business customers nationwide.


Managing Director Rowan Munchenberg said rapid changes in the digital space required Bankwest to make important decisions on where to invest to deliver great value for customers and grow nationally.

“Many people still value face-to-face interactions, but customers increasingly expect seamless self-service options that allow them to do their banking when and where they choose,” he said.

“We’re seeing a consistent trend of customers choosing mobile banking over in-branch options for their transaction needs, with an 88 per cent rise in app logins over the past three years.

“So, we’re transforming our organisation to respond more rapidly to these changing customer needs by adopting new ways of working and embracing new technologies.

“But we know we can’t match the major banks’ nation-wide footprint and also deliver world class digital services, so we will prioritise digital channels and broker relationships.

“This change does not impact Western Australia, where our strong brand and established footprint enables us to maintain highly competitive branch and digital offerings.”

Mr Munchenberg said the change had been a difficult decision, given a significant number of east coast colleagues would be affected.

“We will work with and support impacted colleagues in the coming weeks, doing what we can to help them identify other opportunities, be they within or outside of the Group,” he said.

“We are writing to affected customers to outline options, such as using Australia Post’s Bank@Post services and, for business customers, taking advantage of CBA branches.

“Ultimately, this change means we can provide better services to more customers in the future.”

Notes to the editors:

Branch closure details

Branch State Last day of trade
Charlestown
NSW
17 August 2018
Carindale
QLD
17 August 2018
Southland
VIC
17 August 2018
Randwick
NSW
20 August 2018
Chermside
QLD
20 August 2018
Box Hill
VIC
20 August 2018
Bondi Junction
NSW
22 August 2018
Indooroopilly
QLD
22 August 2018
Doncaster
VIC
22 August 2018
Top Ryde
NSW
24 August 2018
Mount Ommaney
QLD
24 August 2018
Eastlands
VIC
24 August 2018
Blacktown
NSW
27 August 2018
Loganholme
QLD
27 August 2018
Highpoint
VIC
27 August 2018
Bankstown
NSW
29 August 2018
North Sydney
NSW
29 August 2018
Knox City
VIC
29 August 2018
Miranda
NSW
31 August 2018
Mount Druitt
NSW
31 August 2018
Airport West
VIC
31 August 2018
Chatswood
NSW
3 September 2018
Castle Hill
NSW
3 September 2018
Hornsby
NSW
3 September 2018
Eastgardens
NSW
5 September 2018
Burwood
NSW
5 September 2018
Penrith
NSW
5 September 2018
Warringah Mall
NSW
7 September 2018
Lake Haven
NSW
7 September 2018
Branch
State
Last day of trade
Charlestown
NSW
17 August 2018
Carindale
QLD
17 August 2018
Southland
VIC
17 August 2018
Randwick
NSW
20 August 2018
Chermside
QLD
20 August 2018
Box Hill
VIC
20 August 2018
Bondi Junction
NSW
22 August 2018
Indooroopilly
QLD
22 August 2018
Doncaster
VIC
22 August 2018
Top Ryde
NSW
24 August 2018
Mount Ommaney
QLD
24 August 2018
Eastlands
VIC
24 August 2018
Blacktown
NSW
27 August 2018
Loganholme
QLD
27 August 2018
Highpoint
VIC
27 August 2018
Bankstown
NSW
29 August 2018
North Sydney
NSW
29 August 2018
Knox City
VIC
29 August 2018
Miranda
NSW
31 August 2018
Mount Druitt
NSW
31 August 2018
Airport West
VIC
31 August 2018
Chatswood
NSW
3 September 2018
Castle Hill
NSW
3 September 2018
Hornsby
NSW
3 September 2018
Eastgardens
NSW
5 September 2018
Burwood
NSW
5 September 2018
Penrith
NSW
5 September 2018
Warringah Mall
NSW
7 September 2018
Lake Haven
NSW
7 September 2018

Remaining East Coast branch network

Branch State
Parramatta
NSW
Erina
NSW
Liverpool
NSW
Hurstville
NSW
George St
NSW
North Lakes
QLD
Queen St Mall
QLD
Helensvale
QLD
Adelaide
SA
Plenty Valley
VIC
Fountain Gate
VIC
Bourke St
VIC
Watergardens
VIC
The Glen
VIC
Branch
State
Parramatta
NSW
Erina
NSW
Liverpool
NSW
Hurstville
NSW
George St
NSW
North Lakes
QLD
Queen St Mall
QLD
Helensvale
QLD
Adelaide
SA
Plenty Valley
VIC
Fountain Gate
VIC
Bourke St
VIC
Watergardens
VIC
The Glen
VIC

For more information contact:

Glen Foreman
Bankwest Senior Manager, Media & Communications
0412 421 002
glen.foreman@bankwest.com.au

For more information contact:

Russell Yeo
Bankwest Senior Manager, Media & Communications
0421 637 028
russell.yeo@bankwest.com.au

About Bankwest
Bankwest provides personal and business banking solutions for more than 1.1 million retail and business customers across Australia. Bankwest customers enjoy access to an extensive network of stores and business centres, direct and third party distribution channels, agencies and electronic banking facilities, as well as 24-hour telephone and internet banking. Bankwest is a division of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia.

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