Westpac to close 22 branches across Australia

SYDNEY: Westpac has announced the closure of 22 bank branches — mostly in metro areas — across Australia, days after promising to do more for customers following Kenneth Hayne’s royal commission final report.

Elderly residents are among those expected to be affected by the closures.

Eight branches will close in and around Sydney, three in southeast Queensland, eight across Victoria, one in Adelaide, and one in Perth.

‘‘We are continually reviewing our services to ensure they reflect how our customers are choosing to bank, now and in the future,’’ a Westpac spokesperson said in a statement.

‘‘In the past 12 months, less than 2% of transactions were through our branch network, as . . . customers enjoy the convenience of our online and mobile banking services.’’

Finance Sector Union national secretary Julia Angrisano said the announcement sent a clear message.

‘‘Hard on the heels of the release of the Banking Royal Commission report, these branch closures send a clear message to Westpac’s customers and staff: that Westpac cares more about profits than people.’’ — AAP