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While there are 1700 ATMs in service across the country, those in the bush have been left to drive hours to make basic withdrawals.
Regional residents promised access to cash will continue as Commonwealth Bank branches get another four-year extension While there are 1700 ATMs in service across the country, those in the bush have been left to drive hours to make basic withdrawals.customers will be able to continue making cash deposits and withdrawals in regional areas for another four years.open, until at least December 2030 in an extension of its regional banking moratorium.
There are 1700 ATMs still in service across the country, with those in the bush sometimes left to drive hours to make basic withdrawals. The extension will see each location maintain cash transactions, everyday banking and business banking but what hours each will be open, and if staff numbers will remain the same will depend on demand.
“The commitment we’re making is to maintain the strong level of service we have today” Group Executive, Retail Banking Services, Angus Sullivan said. “That includes every branch having an in-person cash handling ability. Obviously, different branches experience different levels of popularity and usage, and we do manage the hours across our branch network to reflect that”Commonwealth Bank is extending its moratorium.
Access to cash will continue despite a drop in usage and fall in the number of customers coming into branches.
“I think what hasn’t changed in 2026 is people still like talking to people,” Commonwealth Bank Head of Customer Service Samantha Taranto said. “And I think if you’re not quite sure, and maybe you’re not going to trust an AI agent to give you advice, then you’re going to pop in and ask someone who’s an expert. ”Workers have welcomed the announcement, with Finance Sector Union National Secretary Julia Angrisano declaring the win really belongs to CBA workers.
“They have fought tirelessly for branches to remain open, so that they can keep serving their local communities,” Angrisano said. About 36 per cent of bank branches in regional areas have closed since 2017 – but closures have paused after the big four made a deal with the federal government in 2025 to keep their doors open.
Sullivan says the bank hasn’t closed a regional branch since 2022 but would not commit to exploring re-opening locations in areas lacking access to services, instead pointing to the Bank@Post agreement allowing customers to be served at post offices.
“Of course, the question comes: What happens after the commitment? We’re making this announcement ... I think it’s a very good indicator of how substantial our commitment is to regional Australia,” Sullivan said.
However, the financial union has warned there is more to do and wants the moratorium extended to all branches.
“Every bank worker deserves the same job security right now at a time when people are feeling incredibly nervous about their cost-of-living pressures,” Angrisano said. Commonwealth Bank executives visited Gunnedah in the NSW northwest to make the announcement, which has maintained its Conadilly Street branch since 1931. Branch Manager Jason Woolley says the work they do is more than just banking.
“Our team live here. We shop here. Our children go to school here. We’re part of this community, and we understand Gunnedah because this is our home too,” Woolley said.
Gunnedah Mayor Colleen Fuller also welcomed the announcement and says charity organisations benefit from accessing face to face banking. Gunnedah is served by three of the four big banks, with the closure of the local ANZ bank forcing some to drive over an hour to complete basic transactions. One resident told 7NEWS: “We struggle a little bit, we bank with ANZ and there is no ANZ branch in Gunnedah. So it’s either Narrabri or Tamworth.
” Another resident said while he mostly uses internet banking, they are “an essential item here in town, we need them and we lost a couple and we had to change banks because we lost a couple.
“ Treasurer Jim Chalmers also welcomed the decision, saying it will “provide certainty and convenience” to regional towns.
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