The Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) decision to close its Drysdale branch has been slammed as “disrespectful of customers” by Federal Member for Corangamite, Libby Coker MP.

Ms Coker said the news was an especially bitter blow for the people of Drysdale coming in the wake of the National Australia Bank (NAB) closing its Drysdale branch earlier this year.

“I’m very disappointed to hear news of a second bank in Drysdale closing.  Customers clearly come second to profits for the big banks,” Ms Coker said.

“The Drysdale CBA is an important branch for many in that community.  The closure will particularly impact the elderly, and those who are less skilled at on-line technologies.  There are times people need to go into a branch for personal assistance.

“Many local businesses will still want to continue doing their weekly or daily banking in Drysdale.  To announce that the Drysdale branch will now become part of the Ocean Grove Branch is not only impractical, it’s insulting.

“I am also concerned about the future of the staff.”

ATMs at the Drysdale branch will continue to be available only until Friday 9 September.

Ms Coker said she could not fathom why this was happening at a time when both the CBA and the NAB banks were making bumper profits.  In May, the CBA announced a third-quarter cash profit of $2.4 billion, while the NAB announced cash earnings of $3.48 billion in its half-year results.

The Drysdale Post Office outlet in Hancock Street will handle withdrawals and deposits.  However, CBA customers who want to continue to receive personalised assistance at an actual CBA branch will have to travel 15kms to the Ocean Grove Branch, or into Geelong.

Ms Coker has written to the CBA on behalf of the community to urge a reconsideration of its decision.