General News
4 October, 2025
Community unite over Bendigo Bank agency closure
Business owners, customers and even four-legged friends in Wycheproof gathered outside of the town's Bendigo Bank agency to voice their concerns over the recent announcement that the agency is set to close.
The announcement, made on July 22, will see the Wycheproof agency close from October 21.
Educating passersby, the passionate group collaborated, shared stories, and stood united.
The Wycheproof community has deep concerns that the bank's decision will have significant implications for residents, local businesses, and the overall livability of the rural community.
“Wycheproof has always supported Bendigo Bank, but right now we feel abandoned," the president of Wyche Alive, Martin Duke, said.
“We are asking Bendigo Bank to pause and rethink this decision."
The loss of the banking services means elderly residents face barriers to accessing their money, and local businesses will have to travel long distances to manage cash takings.
"Small rural communities like ours cannot absorb blow after blow to essential services," Mr Duke said.
The community is calling on Bendigo Bank to engage directly with locals and explore alternatives before finalising the full closure.
They also want the Buloke Shire Council and local MPs to advocate strongly on behalf of Wycheproof.
Bendigo Bank reviewed its agency model, established more than 30 years ago, and concluded that it can no longer be supported due to decreasing customer use, alongside other relevant factors.
The Wycheproof Bendigo Bank agency is amongst eight other sites that are due to close, including St Arnaud.
Bendigo Bank’s chief customer officer consumer, Taso Corolis, said the difficult decision to retire the agency model has been informed by evolving customer preferences, leading to reductions in business activity, limited use of these services, and an increase in costs and compliance obligations.
"We are proud of our regional heritage and are committed to providing face-to-face banking services for our customers," he said.
“Bendigo Bank operates more branches per customer than any other Australian bank and Australia’s second largest regional branch network.
“To preserve what makes our bank unique, we must prioritise our investments across both physical and digital channels to continue meeting the changing needs and growing expectations of our 2.7 million customers.
“We understand it may take time for some customers to adjust to these changes, and we will support them through this.
"We are proactively supporting customers affected by the closures and will offer them assistance."