THE Cobden Business Network is bitterly disappointed the town's NAB branch will shut its doors in April.
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The bank recently informed customers the branch would be closing on April 29, ending more than 130 years of banking in Cobden. A spokesman for the Cobden Business Business Network said although the writing had been on the wall for several years it was "still a shock and a great disappointment to all concerned".
"The branch has been a fundamental part of the Cobden business community over many years with generations of commercial and farming business people and families relying on it for their day-to-day banking," he said. "The manner of arriving at the decision and delivering the news was also disappointing with absolutely no consultation with the Cobden Business Network or the community."
He said it was concerning the town would be confronting another empty shop or commercial building.
"The business district cannot afford to lose yet another shopfront," he said. "Hopefully, the town and the immediate area will respond by working as hard as their resources will allow to support the town's businesses."
In August the bank announced the operating hours would be from 9.30am to 12.30pm.
Corangamite shire mayor Ruth Gstrein said it was incredibly disappointing NAB had decided to close the Cobden branch.
"We're mindful that there are a number of ways for people to do their banking but we have an ageing population with a cohort who like to do face to face banking," she said.
She said it was also concerning for Cobden businesses if people went to neighbouring towns to do their banking they could be more likely to do their shopping and other business outside of Cobden.
She encouraged Cobden residents who want face to face banking in the town to support the Cobden Community Bank.
NAB Retail Customer Executive Nicholas Faulkner said the number of customers using the branch had continued to decline with almost half of Cobden customers only visiting the branch once in the past year.
"We understand the importance of bankers to regional and rural communities like Cobden and we will continue to support customers with their banking needs," he said.
"Over the next 12 weeks, our team will be working with customers, talking with them about the various banking alternatives available to them.
"This includes connecting customers to a community banker located in a regional community, our mobile bankers, home lending specialists or business bankers for face to face, phone or video appointments.
"Customers can also continue to make deposits and withdrawals at the local Australia Post in Cobden.
"Importantly, there will be no job losses. We will be working with our colleagues from this branch on opportunities for them to continue to support customers either at other branches or through phone and digital channels."
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