Bankwest customer stopped from withdrawing cash
A man from a rural town in Western Australia was left with no cash after driving an 80-mile round trip to his nearest bank.
Western Australian man Graeme Reid lives with his wife in Latham, a rural town about 300km northeast of Perth.
The pair planned a trip to Dalwallinu – a 130km round trip – to shop and withdraw $300 in cash from their nearest Bankwest branch, which has limited opening hours.
Mr Reid explained that his wife went to the bank shortly after it opened at 9.30am on January 24 and was the third customer of the day.
He added that he was ‘absolutely stunned’ when she returned without the money, claiming the cashier told her she could not withdraw money and told her to visit the post office.
West Australian man Graeme Reid (pictured) and his wife drove from their home in Latham to Dalwallinu – an 80 mile round trip – to withdraw money from the Bankwest branch
“I said, ‘If you can’t get money from a bank, you might as well close’ and she (the cashier) said, ‘Well, we haven’t been told we’re going to close, but I guess we is. It won’t be long before that happens, that’s what the banks are doing now,” Mr Reid said ABC NEWS.
Mr Reid said he was not alone as another frustrated customer also faced a similar problem while at the bank.
Although they could withdraw a limited amount of cash from their personal account at the Post Office, Mr Reid said he could not withdraw money from his business account.
“You can’t do that at the post office there because you have to have a PIN for that account,” Mr Reid said.
Dalwallinu resident Glen Jones said locals are frustrated with the bank, with many being denied cash despite arranging the withdrawal in advance.
Instead, customers are directed to a bank branch in Moora, an hour’s drive from the city.
“Someone like the football club, who want to get money for a big party this weekend… they have to go to Moora to get the money,” Mr Jones said.
A counter clerk at the Dalwallinu Bankwest branch (pictured) told Ms Reid she could not withdraw $300 in cash despite being the third customer of the day
Locals are concerned that the national branch is preparing for closure as it has refused ATM withdrawals and cash deposits to several customers (stock photo)
Mr Jones added that the bank branch has also refused cash deposits, which has proven difficult for local businesses.
“The cafes, the roadhouses, the pubs… you can’t deposit money, they tell you to go to the post office and sometimes it’s not even open,” Mr Jones said.
He explained that residents fear Bankwest could be preparing to close the branch completely.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Bankwest for comment.
It is understood that the bank does not have a policy limiting the number of customers who can withdraw money, with a limit of $3,000 per day per customer.
For higher values, 48 hours’ notice is required to ensure the bank has sufficient cash for the withdrawal.