The Commonwealth Bank will close its Keilor branch this Friday, despite an outpouring of community opposition.
Keilor Traders Association president Neville Young said the community had made its voice heard but the closure will go ahead.
“People have voiced their opinion to the tellers. There’s a real sense that you can’t just up and move after 45 years,” Mr Young said.
“We’ve circulated a petition which has close to 600 signatures on it. We’re waiting to get a few more back, but we’re estimating by the time we put it all together, we’ll have 2500 on it, which is pretty good for a little village.”
Despite the show of support, a letter to the Traders Association from Commonwealth Bank general manager retail sales and service Mark Jones said the closure would go ahead.
“A decision to close a branch is never taken lightly,” the letter stated.
“While we are very mindful of the issues you have raised with us, we have seen a marked decline in the number of transactions at the Keilor branch over the past five years.
“As such, we are unable to reverse our decision and its final day of operation will be 6 April.”
From Monday, April 9 the Keilor branch will become part of the Keilor Downs Shopping Centre branch.
Customers will be directed to Keilor Downs, but an ATM will remain in Keilor Village.
Mr Young said the village needs a bank.
“A lot of businesses within the village do their banking at this branch. We need a bank in the village.
“However, the Commonwealth Bank actually owns this building, so finding another bank to come in is probably going to prove quite difficult.”
