Ned Kelly would not like Jerilderie today, as the local bakery explains how the town will soon suffer. Photo: Jerildere Bakery Facebook.
If Ned Kelly were to visit his old hunting ground of Jerilderie later this year, there’d be no bank left for him to rob.
Bendigo Bank has announced it will be closing its banking service – the last one remaining in the town – on 13 October.
The news is devastating for Andrew Bell, co-owner of the popular Jerilderie Bakery.
“We’ll have to go to either Yarrawonga or Deniliquin to do our banking, which are an hour away,” he said.
“Our cash goes to the Bendigo Bank every day; we still have to work out what to do.”
Elsewhere in the Riverina, Bendigo Bank will also shut the last remaining banking service in Darlington Point and its outlet in Lake Cargelligo (which still has a Commonwealth Bank).
In addition to its regional branches, Bendigo Bank set up what it called an ‘agency model’ 30 years ago, which provided banking services to small towns delivered by third parties such as councils, news agencies, pharmacies and other businesses.
“Following a review, Bendigo Bank has concluded that its agency model can no longer be supported due to decreasing customer use and other relevant factors and will be retired from October 2025,” the bank said in a statement.
“The bank apologises to customers that use these agencies for any inconvenience. With over 400 locations nationally, the bank remains committed to its physical network and the personalised interactions that occur in branches every day.”
Junee residents protested their last remaining bank closing in 2023, which led to the Commonwealth Bank reversing its decision. Photo: Struan Timms Photography.
In total, Bendigo Bank will shut 28 agency banks across Australia.
In Jerilderie and Darlington Point, their banking services are provided at Murrumbidgee Council offices.
“I am incredibly disappointed in Bendigo Bank’s decision to close the agencies that are currently based in our Darlington Point and Jerilderie offices,” Murrumbidgee Council mayor Ruth McRae said.
“I have fielded numerous calls from residents who are concerned about the bank’s decision and the loss of services. It’s a real blow to our community.
“This decision will have the greatest impact on our most vulnerable residents, including seniors, people with limited digital access and small businesses.”
Mayor McRae reiterated that this was not a council decision and provided advice for residents.
“Once these services close, residents and businesspeople who require face-to-face banking will need to travel to neighbouring towns to access their facilities. However, both the Darlington Point and Jerilderie communities will still have access to ATMs for cash withdrawals and basic transactions,” she said.
“While the loss of face-to-face banking is far from ideal, I encourage everyone to contact the bank as soon as possible to discuss your options before the agencies close. Bank staff can guide you through alternative banking methods, including phone, online banking and mobile app services, and help you find a solution.”
Residents in Jerilderie, Darlington Point and Lake Cargelligo can access banking services at the nearby Australia Post offices. However, services are more limited: withdrawals are capped at $2000 and deposits must be under $10,000.
Mr Bell questioned why Bendigo Bank needed to close its Jerilderie service, given it was using council staff.
“There’s not a lot of costs or overheads for the bank,” he said.
“It was upsetting when the ANZ Bank closed here a few years ago. We were delighted to get the Bendigo Bank but now we’ve lost that too.”
Jerilderie also once had the state-owned Bank of NSW, which Ned Kelly and his gang robbed in 1879. The Kelly gang also burned all the mortgage papers, which freed local farmers from debt.
Researcher Dale Webster has calculated there are now more than 600 country towns across Australia that have lost their last remaining bank.
Ms Webster has criticised the Federal Government for conducting regular inquiries into banks but not doing anything meaningful to stop the demise of regional banking services.
Former Senator Gerard Rennick has called on the government to set up its own bank to ensure a service is provided in small towns where it is not viable for the private sector.
