Harden’s Commonwealth Bank is not immune from changes and although it is not going down the same path as the Junee Branch, the local Branch will be changing how it deals with customers soon.

CBA released a statement after 1:00pm today which said, “CBA’s Harden branch will soon become one of 23 new multi-channel branches opening up their phone lines to assist Australians across the country. Branch staff will serve local customers in person from 9:30am to 1:00pm, before switching to phone-based services from 2:00pm, where they will join CBA’s Australian-based Financial Assistance and Direct Banking teams. Employees will be trained to help customers with a range of banking needs on the telephone, such as everyday banking or providing extra and early support with tailored solutions to help customers meet their financial commitments.”

The new trading hours will be effective from 20 November 2023.

Junee played host to a Senate Inquiry chaired by Nationals Senator Matt Canavan on September 21 which saw the plight of rural communities in regards to banking services exposed.

Although there appears to be no apparent plans to close the Harden Branch, the reduction in hours is concerning. The main priority is that those employed there have security for now and hopefully in to the future.

Hollie Hawkins, Harden Branch Manager said: “In my time at CBA, I’ve had the opportunity to develop specialist skills, so becoming a multi-channel service gives me and the Harden team the chance to grow our skills even more, all while being there for our community and customers across Australia.”

According to the statement in Harden more customers visit the branch in the morning, with more than 70 per cent of senior customers and close to 60 per cent of small business customers doing their banking before 1pm. Outside of the new trading hours, Bank@Post will continue to be available for local customers who prefer face-to-face banking at the Harden LPO, just 150 metres from the Harden branch. The branch’s deposit ATM will also remain available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The introduction of new multi-channel branches across regional Australia will see CBA’s Financial Assistance teams increase their capacity to support customers by up to 15 per cent.

Ms Hawkins said, “We are proud to serve the local community and are here to help customers find easy and convenient banking solutions as they adjust to our new schedule.”

By December CBA will have almost 400 branch staff across regional Australia working in 113 multi-channel branches, to support customers locally and across Australia. This will be a 40 per cent increase in the number of regional branch staff who also have specialised training in helping customers on the telephone, broadening their skills and career opportunities.