Bank Australia to close two central Victorian branches

Deputy chief executive John Yardley said the bank had made the difficult decision after a review of operations across the national branch network over the past six months.

Branches in Maryborough and Echuca will close on April 3.

The bank said its Swan Hill and Mildura branches would shut in the same time frame.

"We recognise that the timing of this announcement so close to the Christmas period is not ideal and will be unwelcome news for the affected staff and customers," Mr Yardley said.

"However, we wanted to let everyone know about the decision soon after it was made."

Affected staff are believed to have been informed last week.

"Our priority is ensuring that our team members affected by this decision are supported to find other roles within Bank Australia, or with other employers in the region," Mr Yardley said.

He said the bank would also be working with individual customers to find solutions to meet their particular needs.

"Ultimately, this closure reflects the changing nature of banking as more and more customers choose to do their banking online," Mr Yardley said.

"We have had a long history serving the community in the region and we're committed to ensuring that our local customers are able to continue to access banking services - whether this is through our digital and phone channels, which many are already using, or with another local bank if the customer needs a face-to-face service."

The bank is arranging information sessions for early in the new year to provide customers an opportunity to speak with senior branch representatives about the closure and their banking needs.

In an email to customers, the bank suggested telephone and online banking as alternatives. Other alternatives included using ATMs and Australia Post banking facilities.

A Bank Australia customer, who wished to remain anonymous, said the timing of the announcement was appalling.

"I can partially empathise with the management of Bank Australia, as they need to carefully manage member funds, but they also have a social responsibility - not only to staff, but to those customers who don't have access to electronic and telephone banking," the customer said.

"I'm disappointed they have decided to disadvantage customers in these towns and possibly displace staff."

Central Victoria has already lost a number of bank branches this year, including Westpac's Kangaroo Flat branch and the Commonwealth Bank's Kangaroo Flat branch.